European Traffic Management Network (ETMN)

As a reaction to the EU Transport Strategy and European Commission document ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy from 2020’, the RNE Traffic Management High-Level Group agreed to start an initiative supporting the European strategy goals. The European Commission plans to expand the rail market, addressing the needs of Railway Undertakings for access to high-quality capacity and maximising the use of rail infrastructure. A clear message also goes towards rail freight transport, which needs significant boosting through increased capacity, strengthened cross-border coordination and cooperation between rail Infrastructure Managers for better overall management of the rail network.

RNE’s activities to support European goals has been leading to improved international cooperation on all levels of traffic management via enhanced cooperation between traffic control centres, with a focus on international train runs. The main goal is to offer better international train management with higher capacity utilisation, meeting the needs of the customers established via the European Traffic Management Network of traffic control centres. Synergies from close cooperation with RFCs, RUs, Terminals, and other stakeholders should contribute to achieving this.

The conceptual approach approved by the RNE GA in May 2021 defines four main subsequent projects for setting up a European Traffic Control Centre Network around Europe. The first project started in 2021 and the last defined project to be finished by the end of 2029.

Key Objectives of ETMN

Enhancing cross-border coordination:

• Improve real-time communication between TCCs
• Develop unified and harmonized guidelines for international traffic management

Optimizing railway capacity and infrastructure utilization:

• Ensure smoother train flows across borders with fewer delays and dwell times
• Enable better traffic forecasting and planning for international train runs

Standardising communication and decision-making processes:

• Implement common cooperation procedures among stakeholders
• Establish a common sector-wide communication platform to eliminate deficiencies in multichannel communication and to erase a language barrier via built-in translating capabilities

Leveraging digital tools and automation:

• Adapt the members’ TMS system to mutually communicate
• Adapt RNE TIS, as a supporting tool, for enhanced real-time exchange of operational data
• Support the integration of R-CDM to optimize scheduling and disruption management

Strengthening resilience and contingency management:

• Improve international railway contingency planning
• Foster closer collaboration between stakeholders to mitigate disruptions and enable quicker recovery from unexpected events

ETMN Roadmap

ETMN is being implemented through a structured, multi-phase(project) approach that spans 2021-2029, ensuring a gradual, coordinated transition towards a fully integrated European Traffic Management Network.

Concept, guidelines and defined requirements (2021-2024)

Development and start of implementation (2025 onwards)

• IT tool and module gradual development and operational testing
• Implementation of the RNE TIS enhancements
• Adoption of standardised cooperation and communication procedures between TCCs and other stakeholders to ensure seamless real-time coordination

Further expansion and integration (2027 onwards)

• ETMN Project 3 – English language support promotion for international traffic management personnel and unified learning approaches
• ETMN Project 4 – focus on human resources, training and professional development standards established for TM personnel, ensuring harmonized qualification requirements across Europe.
• Further automation and digitalisation of cross-border traffic coordination
• Revisions of developed guidelines, procedures, processes and tools based on the operational feedback and reflecting new legislation

Division of the European Traffic Management Network projects, areas covered and projected

Expected Benefits

• Improved real-time coordination between national Traffic Control Centres (TCCs) enables more efficient allocation of infrastructure capacity.
• Higher focus on international traffic and customer needs, providing more reliable long-distance rail services.
• Stronger cross-border coordination ensures higher punctuality, fewer delays and seamless international train movements.
• Standardised communication and operational procedures across borders help eliminate inefficiencies and unnecessary delays at the border crossings.
• Strengthening collaborative decision-making during disruptions, allows for quicker, more coordinated action responses to affected trains, in addition to the International Contingency Management (ICM) that ensures structured handling of large-scale disruptions across multiple networks.
• Improved  closer collaboration between all stakeholders enhances overall railway performance.

Main Documents

• Declaration of Intent on ETM Network
• Handbook on ETM Network

Supporting Documents

• TIS Declaration

With the first and second projects (ETMN P1 & P2) completed and the remaining projects progressing as planned the ETMN concept is set to become a cornerstone in supporting and shaping the upcoming European Framework for Traffic Management, ensuring a more connected, efficient and resilient railway network across Europe.