Rail transport - thematic research summary

This thematic research summary on rail transport aims to provide the reader with a synthesis of results of completed European research projects related to that theme. It consists of two main parts. The first part includes a brief overview of the scope of the theme and summarises the main policy developments at European Union (EU) level relevant to the theme. The second part contains a synthesis of the main findings and policy implications from research projects and identifies the implications for further research. This is done separately for three sub-themes identified as important in the rail-related research reported in this summary. The first sub-theme is concerned with the development, planning and organisation of rail services in Europe for both passenger and freight, and covers aspects such as the adoption of more suitable transport vehicles, better allocation of scarce network capacity, harmonised systems and greater interoperability as well as the potential impacts of liberalisation of the rail sector. The second sub-theme covers rail management systems, focusing on ICT-based tools for the management of maintenance and safety. The final sub-theme looks at research into improved technology for the rail industry, including technologies relating to rail vehicles, rail infrastructure and train identification, location and control systems.