THE European Railway Agency (ERA), which became operational in 2006, was set up by the European Union as part of its plan to create a single railway area. ERA is responsible for developing a common approach to safety, safety regulation and accident investigation, enhancing interoperability through the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) which it sets for railways and manufacturers and by acting as the system authority for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), and facilitating the exchange of information within the railway sector.