THE International Union of Railways (UIC) and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) have signed a coordination framework agreement that will serve as an umbrella for topics of common interest.
The framework was signed on November 29, and will cover topics including annexes to Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) for platforms such as GSM-R, Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) as well as safety and operations and human and organisational factors.
UIC chairman and Polish State Railways (PKP) chairman Mr Krzysztof Mamiński says the mutually beneficial nature of this agreement will strengthen the relationship between the two organisations regarding technical coordination.
UIC director general Mr François Davenne stressed in particular that the European Union’s Fourth Railway Package has introduced a new set of responsibilities for ERA. This mean that technical coordination with UIC is even more important to ensure that each stakeholder can take ownership and responsibility towards the optimal development of the efficiency, accuracy and eco-mobility of the railways.
“Cooperation, both at European and a global level, is essential for the railway sector to be able to provide an attractive proposition for customers of rail,” says Mr Josef Doppelbauer, ERA executive director.
