Operation and Traffic Management TSI

This TSI applies to the operation and traffic management subsystem of infrastructure managers and railway undertakings related to the operation of trains on the rail system of the European Union. It applies to the Union rail system, which includes TSI conform and non-TSI conform vehicles and fixed installations.

This TSI relates to processes and procedures, as well as to physical elements of vehicles and fixed installations that are important for their operational function in the context of this TSI and requirements applicable to staff executing safety critical tasks.

The railway undertaking and the infrastructure manager shall ensure that all requirements of this TSI become a relevant part of railway undertaking’s and infrastructure manager’s safety management system (“SMS”) as required by Directive (EU) 2016/798.

The Commission has published the latest version of the TSI OPE under the Implementing Regulation 2023/1693 (TSI OPE 2023). This amends the Implementing Regulation 2019/773 (TSI OPE 2019). However, it is important to consider the various transitional dates, which apply - see below.

TSI OPE 2019 is in force since 16 June 2021 except for:

• 4.2.2.1.3.2 on Train visibility – rear end – freight trains (Tail Plates),
• Appendix A on ERTMS operational principles and rules (Appendix A) and
• Appendix C on communication (Appendix C).

TSI OPE 2023 is published as an amendment to 2019 version and it enters into force 20 days after its publication (28 September 2023).

Railway undertakings and infrastructure managers shall adapt their SMSs to the changes introduced by the TSI OPE 2023 within 9 months after TSI’s publication (28 June 2024).

Tail plates provisions shall be accepted with the following phase out:

• From 1 January 2022, along the rail freight corridors with the following exceptions:
  • (a) 1 January 2026 for Belgium and France
  • (b) 1 January 2025 for Portugal and Spain
• From 1 January 2026 the Tail Plate provisions apply in full to the whole European Union Railway Network

Appendix A and Appendix C transition rules:

• Appendixes A and C from Decision 2012/757/EU (as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/995) may continue to apply until 16 June 2024
• Appendixes A and C from TSI OPE 2019 apply as of 16 June 2024, at the latest.
• Appendixes A and C from TSI OPE 2023 enter into force 20 days after TSI’s publication (28 September 2023). IMs can postpone the implementation of Appendixes A and C until the 16th of December 2025. This postponement is subject to the condition that the Agency and the concerned NSAs receive by the 16th of June 2024 a detailed plan containing at least: a formal commitment, the training plan and the modification of the IT tool where relevant.

Member State shall notify to the Commission and the Agency any national rule made redundant by the entry into force of TSI OPE 2023 together with a timetable for their withdrawal if not yet done, within 6 months after TSI’s publication (28 March 2024).