ESCAP Regional Cooperation Framework for Facilitation of International Railway Transport

Transcription

1 ESCAP Regional Cooperation Framework for Facilitation of International Railway Transport Sandeep Raj Jain Economic Affairs Officer Transport Facilitation & Logistics Section Transport Division

2 Outline Why do we need a Regional Cooperation Framework for Facilitation of International Railway Transport? What is the Regional Cooperation Framework? How will Framework promote railway transport? Border crossing study Common minimum standards for operational and technical parameters

3 1. WHY do we need a Framework Rapidly increasing inter-regional trade Growing importance of sustainable transport Entry into force of an intergovernmental agreement on Trans-Asian Railway Network in 2009 Increasing importance of inter-modal transport with focus of modal complementary rather on modal competition

4 2. What is Regional Cooperation Framework for Facilitation of International Railway Transport Identifies four fundamental issues for facilitation of international railway transport, indicates target and process Provides for eleven areas among member countries to further railway transport in the region

5 A. Four fundamental issues 1. Standards for railway infrastructure, facilities and equipment Need to standardise rolling stock specifications, braking systems, signalling systems, axle weight, clearance space of structures (tunnels, bridges, railway stations) Common/minimum standards Working group, UIC, railway research facilities and studies

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7 2. Break of gauge 4 major gauges 1676 mm 1520mm 1435mm and 1000mm TARN route length 4035, 4% 9882, 9% 16,524, 16% Significant reduction by developing streamlined operating procedures 1 Happens mostly at borders, possible ways to deal with: Transhipment; Bogie changing; Variable gauge bogie; Laying additional railway line; ESCAP efficient cross border transport model 33784, 32% 40,707, 39%

8 3.Different legal regimes for railway transport contracts No single intergovernmental organization for railway transport; OSJD and OTIF have different consignment notes SMGS and CIM; re-consignment along Euro-Asian routes led to errors, long delays Alignment to common consignment note developed in 2006 Gradual alignment

9 4. Coordination of regulatory controls and inspections at border-interchange stations Trains are subjected to numerous controls such as customs, immigration, security, sanitary checks, in addition there is also locomotive and crew change, technical inspection of train High degree of coordination among border agencies Establish standard time for regulatory control; use new technologies; undertake check only at origin/destination

10 B. Areas for cooperation among the member countries for the facilitation of international railway transport 1. Participate in international railway organizations Two major organisation OSJD and OTIF Both have wide experience in promotion of international railway transport Presently among 28 member of TAR 13 are members of OSJD and 6 of OTIF- 3 countries are members of both

11 2. Formulate subregional and bilateral agreements Mostly in South Asia and South-East Asia ECO TTFA Annex III provides for minimum technical characteristics for railway transport Protocol 6 on Railway Border and Interchange stations to ASEAN Framework Agreement on Facilitation of goods in Transit 3. Collaborate to standardise cross-border railway operations Railway systems developed independently; acquired different rolling stock and operational systems interoperability a challenge Network of experts on railway transport for Asia and Pacific to share knowledge, discuss on common challenges in standardisation of railway operations and way forward

12 4. Use of advance cargo information systems Major delay at the border crossing takes place due to time involved to complete regulatory controls Advanced or prior intimation can reduce delays Adoption of common standards for sharing of information 5. Arrangement for exchange of wagons Common contract on the use of wagons in international railway transport can obviate the need for multiples bilateral arrangements and increase supply of wagons The contract can cover Requirements for technical admission and maintenance of wagons Obligations and rights of accepting railway including right of refusal Procedure for ascertainment and damage to wagons Liability for loss or damage to wagons

13 6. Use of new technologies in train operations as well as in container tracking Use of SPS, RFID, CCS already being used in train operations needs to be promoted emerging technologies such as cloud computing, big data Tracing and tracking of containers by train operators to schedule container block train, increase asset utilization, reduce dwell time and overheads 7. Develop human resources for cross-border railway operations Streamlined procedures for visa for drivers/crew Common system for training of drivers will help among others in drivers being knowledgeable about the route, speed restrictions, signalling system Accreditation of training institutes Regulation of the service conditions for the railway officials

14 8. Establish logistics centres/dry ports and maintenance hubs at or near the border interchange stations Railways offer lower cost over long distance; to exploit this advantage establish such centres to consolidate LCL cargo Arrangements for joint controls and inspection can also be contemplated if warranted by high volume of traffic Develop maintenance hubs to reduce delays due to breakdown of rolling stock 9. Simplify intermodal interface of railway with other modes of transport Railways will be part of and integrated with other modes Simplify intermodal interfaces that happens at the gateway ports to minimise time Specially important for LLDCs as substantial time is consumed in completing transit formalities Increase reliability of train operations and optimal utilisation of rolling stock

15 10. Promote and encourage corridor approach in facilitation of international railway transport Around the globe most international traffic on specific railways corridors Many organisations have developed corridors ECO, OSJD, European Commission, UN EATL Stringent technical and operational requirements call for more collaboration and corridor approach makes possible to bring stakeholders together 11. Work towards paperless railway freight transport Paper documents pose costly and serious limitation for development of railway freight Increase speed and reliability of railway transport by rapid exchange of information, avoid duplication and related errors Efforts at international level include a joint UIC-CIT project on e-railway Freight has developed a electronic consignment note

16 3. HOW is framework promoting railway transport Implement projects to facilitate international railway transport Harmonization of rules and regulations for facilitation of international railway transport- two studies Compendium on good practices for border crossing by railways Recommendations on common and minimum standards for operational and technical parameters By supporting countries in undertaking studies/reports indicated under the framework

17 Recommendations on common standards for technical and operational standards Interoperability in railways Three components of railway interoperability Legal interoperability- unified contractual obligations vis-a-vis customers from origin to destination Technical interoperability- common technical parameters of railways infrastructure and rolling stock Operational interoperability- harmonized operational practices over an entire international route Levels of technical interoperability Level A: Neither wagons nor locomotive can cross the borders implies transshipment Level B: Only wagons can cross Level C: Both wagons and locomotives can cross the borders highest level of operability

18 Interoperability in railways Modes of Border crossings Mode 1: No stoppage of trains at the border crossings- the formalities are completed at the agreed designated stations in parallel with operational procedures for traffic management Mode 2: Countries agree to designate a single border station in either country for completing border crossing formalities in parallel Mode 3: Each country completes border crossing formalities in their own territory Based on modes of border crossings and levels of interoperability SIX arrangements are possible

19 Border crossing arrangements

20 Border crossing arrangements

21 Interoperability along the railway corridor

22 Interoperability along railway corridors

23 Technical parameters for railway interoperability For level B Axle load Structure gauge For railway Infrastructure Passing siding length ( for single track operations) For level C Signaling Traffic management Telecommunications Traction systems For rolling stock For level B Loading gauge Maximum train length Coupling systems Braking system Rail-wheel parameters For level C Types of locomotives Locomotive power Maximum speed

24 Common operational parameters for railway interoperability For railways and for other border agencies For level A Harmonized time tables Information exchanges for management of corridor Single tariff for Origin to Destination For level B Train composition Maintenance of wagons Breakdown of wagons Handling and inspection of hazardous material For level C Management of traffic including rules for communication and language Training of drivers along the route

25 Huge potential for railway freight COST AIR RAILWAY SEA TIME

26 Thank you for your attention Questions/Comments?