Background information
About the 2022 Railway Safety and Interoperability Report in the EU:
This report is based on data up to the 2020 reporting period, and, where available, up to 2021. As Cyprus and Malta do not have railway systems that are covered by EU legislation, the EU railway system is composed of the railway systems of 25 Member States. Data are also provided for Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Channel Tunnel is a separate reporting entity, with relevant data provided separately by both France and the United Kingdom. Therefore, there were, in total, 29 reporting entities in 2020, referred to in this report as ‘ERA countries’.
This report is part of the agency’s effort to provide to its stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of the development of railway safety and interoperability in the European Union. In accordance with EU legislation, the report has been published by ERA biennially since 2006.
About the EU Agency for Railways:
The European Union Agency for Railways was established in Valenciennes (offices) and Lille (meeting facilities) in 2004, and has 188 employees representing more than 22 European Member States. ERA has been providing EU Member States and the European Commission with technical assistance in the development and implementation of the Single European Railway Area. This comprises enhancing technical interoperability and harmonising rules, promoting simplified access for customers, developing a common approach to safety and safety culture, advising on telematics applications and ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), monitoring National Safety Authorities and Notified Bodies and facilitating the exchange of information between the railway actors in Europe. Since 16th June 2019 the EU Agency for Railways is mandated to issue single safety certificates and vehicle (type) authorisations valid in multiple European countries and to ensure an interoperable European Rail Traffic Management System.