On revision of TSI & ERA with focus on rail vehicles - overview of regulations

New locomotives and passenger units must be authorized according to "The harmonized approach," which requires compliance with relevant Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) and national requirements for open points and specific cases. Essential TSIs for authorization include TSI Locomotives and Passenger Rolling Stock (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1302/2014), TSI Noise (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1304/2014), and TSI Accessibility for Persons with Reduced Mobility (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1300/2014), though the latter does not apply to locomotives. TSI Control-Command and Signalling applies to vehicles with the train protection system ETCS. Upgrading and renewal of authorized vehicles must meet these TSI requirements, but only regarding the modified functions.

The transition rule in the Railway Technology Act (2022:366) allows older regulations to apply to cases initiated before the Act's effective date of June 1, 2022. This means ongoing cases for authorization in the One-Stop Shop, temporary authorization, or use of an independent reviewer at the Swedish Transport Agency can continue using an independent reviewer instead of a Designated Body (DeBo). Applicants must engage notified bodies to assess the vehicle and issue a certificate of compliance to the TSIs. The applicant is responsible for identifying applicable national requirements for authorization, and for upgrading or renewal, the managing entity must apply Articles 15 and 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/545.

The European Rail Agency (ERA) provide technical documents and guidelines to facilitate TSI application and vehicle authorization. Key guidelines include ERA/ERTMS/033281 on interfaces between Control-Command and Signalling trackside and other subsystems, ERA/TD/2012-17/INT rev 3.0 on running dynamics and modifications, ERA/GUI/07-2011/INT for TSI LOC&PAS application, and the ERA Guide to TSI NOI. These documents help ensure compliance and streamline the authorization process for new and modified rail vehicles. Before the TSI LOC&PAS amendment in 2023, coach authorization required compliance with TSIs and national rules, multiple authorization applications, and the involvement of several authorizing entities such as ERA and national safety authorities.

Specific environmental conditions, such as Austria's wheel-rail contact geometry, Italy's aerodynamic effects and fire containment systems, Germany's vehicle access steps and crosswind curves, and France and Sweden's trackside Hot Axle Box Detection, must be considered. Non-compliance with mandatory requirements can trigger requests for non-application of TSIs. For instance, coaches with EN-UIC brakes must be tested according to EN17065, and category B coaches must have full cross-section partitions. Non-compliance can result in exclusions or usage conditions, such as excluding France or Sweden if trackside HABD compliance is unmet or speed restrictions in Germany if wheel-rail contact geometry requirements are not fulfilled. The ERA's technical document ERA/ERTMS/033281 (rev 5) covers requirements such as axle distances, wheel geometry, and electromagnetic compatibility, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the conformity assessment and authorization of rail vehicles.