The final module of RailNetEurope’s Capacity Planning Tool (CPT) went live on 19 October. The release of the Capacity Model module completes the phased introduction of CPT, which now brings together Temporary Capacity Restrictions, Capacity Models and Capacity Supply in a single solution for European capacity planning.
CPT serves as the backbone for strategic capacity planning and supports the implementation of the Capacity Regulation and Telematics TSI requirements. CPT allows Infrastructure Managers (IMs), Railway Undertakings (RUs), other Applicants and relevant stakeholders to access shared planning information. This facilitates cross-border coordination and contributes to more transparent and harmonised capacity planning across Europe.
Three core modules supporting the planning lifecycle
CPT combines three closely connected modules covering different parts of the planning process.
Temporary Capacity Restrictions
The Temporary Capacity Restrictions (TCRs) module allows planners to create, coordinate and publish information about planned restrictions affecting railway capacity. These can include infrastructure works, maintenance activities and other restrictions.
TCRs can be managed directly in CPT or automatically transferred from national systems through the Common Interface. Since restrictions directly influence future capacity availability, TCR information is also visible in the other CPT modules, ensuring that planning decisions are based on a common understanding of network constraints.
Capacity Model
The Capacity Model module supports the preparation, coordination and publication of Capacity Models. These provide an overview of expected infrastructure capacity and anticipated traffic demand.
IMs can use the module to prepare and harmonise Capacity Model information. Applicants can communicate new or changing future traffic needs through Capacity Needs Announcements (CNAs). This gives stakeholders an opportunity to identify potential capacity bottlenecks and coordinate expectations before the timetable is prepared. A CNA provides planning information and does not constitute a pre-allocation of capacity.
Capacity Supply
The Capacity Supply module supports the preparation of pre-planned capacity products, including Catalogue Paths and Paths. Its visualisation, observation and harmonisation functions help IMs coordinate capacity supply across borders and prepare information for subsequent capacity-allocation processes.
Connecting European and national systems
The integration of national IMs’ systems with CPT is essential for a connected European planning environment. CPT also uses a Common Interface (CI) to enable bidirectional data exchange through Telematics TSI-compliant messages. This allows capacity information to be imported, synchronised and updated automatically between CPT and national systems. Changes made in CPT can also be transferred back to the system from which the information originated.
The CI helps establish a common source of internationally relevant planning data, reduces manual data handling and enables stakeholders to coordinate using harmonised information across Europe. The European Framework for Capacity Management foresees the use of a central IT tool for publication, consultation, harmonisation and coordination activities. At the same time, national systems can continue to support through automated synchronisation with CPT at defined milestones.
Several IMs have already started establishing and testing CI connections. Further integration will support a more consistent exchange of information between national systems, CPT and related European solutions such as the Path Coordination System (PCS). This will contribute to more integrated Digital Capacity Management processes across Europe.
A milestone for Digital Capacity Management
The go-live of the Capacity Model module, marks an important milestone towards a more connected, coordinated and transparent railway capacity management process.
With all modules now available, the focus will shift to the adoption phase, starting with a pilot on Capacity Needs Announcements for Timetable 2029. The pilot gives Applicants and RUs an opportunity to test the CNAs functions inside CPT and become familiar with the tool.
