In December 2021, as part of the “Efficient and Green Mobility Package”, the European Commission published its proposal for a revision of the TEN-T Regulation 1315/2013, aimed at implementating a European multimodal transport network with high standards of quality to strengthen the social, economic and territorial cohesion of the European Union whilst contributing to the creation of a single European transport area that is sustainable, efficient and resilient.

This revision responds to the need to adapt the trans-European transport network policy to the many changes that took place over the last 10 years, such as a growing demand for transport, geopolitical dynamics (expansions of the EU) and developments in transport policy (liberalisation, interoperability and technological innovation). 

The proposal’s main innovation consists in the shift from a dual layer network – with a Central Network and Global Network – to a three-layer one with: 

1. Core Network – the sections of the comprehensive network with a high strategic value to be realized by 31 December 2030;

2. Extended Corel Network – the sections of the comprehensive network consisting in additional lines belonging tothe European Transport Corridors (ETCs), to be realized by 31 December 2040; 

3. Comprehensive Network – the most extensive and consisting all the sections of the rail network ensuring the accessibility and connectivity of all EU regions, to be completed by 31 December 2050.

Another important element is the establishment of the European Transport Corridors that are the result of the merging of the current Core Network Corridors (aimed at connecting the cities included in the core network and ensuring coordinated development of infrastructure) and the Rail Freight Corridors (RFC) and cover both the core and the extended core network.

With the aim of promoting a modal shift towards rail and make rail transport more competitive and efficient, the proposal defines two operational requirements for the European Transport Corridors, to be achieved by 2030:

• limited delay on arrival at their destination (less than 30 minutes) for at least 90% of freight trains crossing at least one border;
• an average dwelling time at border crossings (maximum 15 minutes).

Relating to the infrastructure requirements, new mandatory parameters have been included to those currently in force on the Core, the Core Extended and the Global Networks, to be implemented in accordance with their specific timelines regarding:

• ERTMS deployment on the whole TEN-T by 2040 (core network by 2030) and decommissioning of Class B systems;
• Minimum speed of 160 kilometres/hour for passenger lines;
• P400 loading gauge that allows circulation of semi-trailers on railway wagons.

Furthermore, the proposal envisages an expansion of the urban node network, with the inclusion of a further 40 Italian urban hubs in addition to the 9 already foreseen, with the obligation to adopt a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan by 2025 and the creation of infrastructure for recharging and refuelling with alternative fuels.

Finally, concerning the multimodal freight terminals, the Commission proposed to boost the logistic capacity of the TEN-T network, increasing the multimodal freight terminals from 27 to 38.

This proposal is currently being discussed by European institutions and is expected to be adopted by mid-2023.

Until the next updates, please visit the dedicated webpage for more information.