Capacity Strategies for TT 2029 are now available, providing first strategic insights into future rail capacity on European networks.

Capacity Strategies are a key element of advance planning, and the first step towards ensuring optimised use of rail capacity.

What are Capacity Strategies?

Capacity Strategies provide an early and transparent view of how rail capacity will be developed and managed leading up to the respective timetable year.

They serve as a common basis for communication, consultation and coordination with operational stakeholders throughout the Advance Capacity Planning process, detailing:

• Expected future demand for rail capacity
• Planned developments of the rail infrastructure
• Principles applied in traffic and temporary capacity restriction planning

This early information helps railway undertakings, authorities and decision-makers plan more accurately and identify future bottlenecks, supporting improved international coordination across the European rail network.

Stakeholder input essential to reflect operational priorities

Before publication, draft Capacity Strategies are shared with stakeholders for consultation.

This allows railway undertakings, other applicants, authorities, terminals, and service facilities to review the drafts and provide feedback.

Their input is essential to ensure that the strategies reflect real operational needs and priorities, both nationally and across borders. Published final versions incorporate this feedback.

Five-year milestone

2029 marks the fifth consecutive timetable year for which Capacity Strategies have been published.

Since first publication, the process has evolved, with increasing participation from infrastructure managers (17 networks covered to date) and expanded national scopes, strengthening both national and cross-border capacity planning.

Next Stop: Capacity Model

With the Capacity Strategies for Timetable 2029 established, the next phase in Advance Capacity Planning is the development of the Capacity Models.

These models translate the strategies into practical terms, detailing total capacity by network section and hour – including cross-border flows – and accounting for major infrastructure works that may affect operations.

Each stage of Advance Capacity Planning further aligns long-term infrastructure planning with operational realities across Europe, supporting sustainable mobility in accordance with EU objectives.