Directive (EU) 2016/797 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union defines ‘technical specification for interoperability’ (TSI) as a specification covering a subsystem or part of a subsystem to meet the essential requirements and ensure the interoperability of the Union rail system. For the purpose of this Directive one functional area of the Union rail system is telematics applications for passenger and freight services.

Telematic applications set the functional and technical standards for exchanging harmonised information between infrastructure managers, railway undertakings and other stakeholders. The so-called RU/IM communication concerns the complete ‘Telematics Application for Freight (TAF) TSI’ and parts of the ‘Telematics Application for Passengers (TAP) TSI’.

These regulations are directly applicable in all Member States and by all stakeholders.

Telematics Applications for Freight services (TAF TSI)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1305/2014 regarding the technical specification for interoperability relating to the telematics applications for freight subsystem of the rail system in the European union last amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/541 was adopted on 26 March 2021 and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 29 March 2021. The consolidated text of the TAF TSI is available here.

Telematics Applications for Passenger services (TAP TSI)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 454/2011 on the technical specification for interoperability relating to the subsystem ‘telematics applications for passenger services’ of the trans-European rail system last amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/775 was adopted on 16 May 2019 and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 27 May 2019. The consolidated text of the TAP TSI is available here.