Anpassning till tekniska specifikationer för driftskompatibilitet i Sverige

Sammanfattning: European railways have until recently been built according to each country’s national regulations and needs. This implies an obstacle for today’s wishes of railway transport across the borders within the European Union. The first steps towards an integrated European railway system came around the year of 1990 in purpose of raising the railway’s competitiveness by reducing obstacles to international railway transport. To unite technical regulations the council of the European Union adopted new rules regarding European railways, there among directives on interoperability. Directive is a legal act which requires member states to achieve the results of the directive. Implementation is done by adjustments in national constitutions. To each directive on railway interoperability there is a set of TSIs adopted by the commission, which specifies requirements to achieve the results of the directive. This essay aims to elucidate how Sweden has adjusted to TSIs and directives on interoperability. The directives have been implemented by adjustments in the national constitution. A significant change is a new law regarding railway; Järnvägslagen adopted in 2004. Järnvägslagen introduced a new rule which requires approval of infrastructure before placing in service. TSIs adopted by the commission are legally binding in Sweden through national regulations adopted by the Swedish transport agency. Due to the complexity of the railway system it is divided into subsystems, such as infrastructure and energy. Requirements for each subsystem are specified in one, or several, TSIs. In Sweden, approval of subsystems regulated in TSI follows a process which requires the applicant to apply for approval. The Swedish transport agency issues approval decision in consideration of conformity with TSI. To study how the new railway regulations have been applied in practice, and to identify possible issues, we have conducted a few case studies which together is called a “project study”. In each case we compare parts of selected railway projects with the theory in this essay. Studied projects are: Haparandabanan, Kirunaprojektet, Sösdala station and Ådalsbanan. The selection is based on date of placing in service being preceded by adoption of TSIs. All projects include new infrastructure, either railway line, railway station or power supply. Results of the project study shows issues with inconsequent interpretation of the regulation considered when TSIs should be applied and when applying for exception is called for. The study of Sösdala station shows discrepancy with the regulations. Placing in service was preceded by a limited approval decision which has not been renewed. Sösdala station has since expiration of the approval decision been in service.