In 2024, the RUs published and presented their vision on the Commercial Condition (CC) for Europe. Now we are pleased that we can provide some further information and examples, concerning one of four pillars of the RUs´ proposed CC system, “Traction Support” element.
“Traction Support” is a proposed mitigating measure to keep railways competitive during certain major infrastructure works (TCRs). The measure might be applied in cases when the alternative route for RUs provides less favourable parameters, such as non-electrified sections or steeper gradient.
In these situations, the RU would need to deploy an extra locomotive to pull/push the wagons/coaches, and the customers might not be willing to accept such a rise in costs, thus shifting to other, less environmentally friendly means of transport. In the case of non-electrified sections, the problem might be even broader, since not all RUs are in possession of diesel locomotives. Leasing them for the non-electrified section can entail a high administrative burden, and the smaller RUs might even be unable to find a lessor. The proposed more efficient solution, the "Traction Support" element, addresses this issue by providing a centralised organisation of locomotives for all RUs on the given alternative stretch, instead each RU organising locomotives for itself.
The published focus presentation invites the readers to familiarize themselves with the “Traction Support” element and some high-level technical information. Moreover, 5 use cases are presented, where traction support were/would be used in the Czech Republic, Germany, France and Hungary.
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