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Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 (Text with EEA relevance)

Type Regulation

Publication 2024-06-13

Last updated 2024-06-28

State In force

Department Council of the European Union, European Parliament

Source EUR-Lex

articles 69

Reform history JSON API

REGULATION (EU) 2024/1679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 (Text with EEA relevance)

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1

Subject matter

Article 2

Scope

Article 3

Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

(1) ‘project of common interest’ means any project carried out pursuant to this Regulation;

(2) ‘neighbouring country’ means a third country falling within the scope of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Enlargement Policy, and the European Economic Area, the European Free Trade Association or the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part (¹);

(3) ‘NUTS region’ means a region as established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (²) and classified in Annex I of that Regulation;

(4) ‘cross-border section’ means the section which ensures the continuity of a project of common interest on both sides of a border, situated between the closest urban nodes to the border of two Member States or between a Member State and a neighbouring country;

(5) ‘bottleneck’ means a physical, technical, functional, operational or administrative barrier which leads to a system break, including systematic congestion or standstill, affecting the continuity of traffic for long-distance or cross-border flows;

(6) ‘urban node’ means an urban area where elements of the transport infrastructure of the trans-European transport network for passengers and freight, such as ports, including passenger terminals, airports, railway stations, bus terminals and multimodal freight terminals, located in and around the urban area are connected with other elements of that infrastructure and with the infrastructure for regional and local traffic, including infrastructure for active modes;

(7) ‘isolated network’ means a rail network of a Member State, or part thereof, with a track gauge different from that of the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm;

(8) ‘multimodal transport’ means the carriage of passengers or freight, or both, using two or more modes of transport;

(9) ‘multimodal digital mobility service’ means ‘multimodal digital mobility service’ as defined in Article 4, point (24), of Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (³);

(10) ‘interoperability’ means the ability, including in the light of all the regulatory, technical, administrative and operational conditions, of the infrastructure, including digital infrastructure in a transport mode or segment and between different transport modes, to allow safe and uninterrupted traffic and information flows which achieve the required levels of performance for that infrastructure mode or segment;

(11) ‘multimodal passenger hub’ means a connection point between at least two transport modes for passengers, where travel information, access to public transport and transfers between modes are ensured, such as park-and-ride stations, and which acts as an interface within and between urban nodes and between urban nodes and longer-distance transport networks;

(12) ‘multimodal freight terminal’ means a structure equipped for transhipment between at least two transport modes, or between two different rail systems, and for temporary storage of freight, such as terminals in inland or maritime ports, along inland waterways and in airports, as well as rail road terminals;

(13) ‘sustainable urban mobility plan’ or ‘SUMP’ means a document for strategic mobility planning, aiming at improving, in a sustainable way, accessibility to and mobility within the functional urban area, including commuting zones in that urban area or in its vicinity), for people, businesses and goods in view in particular of a better quality of life;

(14) ‘active mode’ means the transport of people or goods, through non-motorised means, based on human physical activity, including vehicles with electric auxiliary propulsion as referred to in Article 2(2), point (h), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (⁴);

(15) ‘ICT systems for transport’ means information and communications technology systems and applications using information, communication, navigation or positioning or localisation technologies, including space based technologies, which make it possible to process, store and exchange the data and information needed to manage infrastructure, mobility and traffic on the trans-European transport network effectively, to report relevant information to authorities and to provide services to citizens, shippers and operators that add value, including systems for resilient, safe, secure, environmentally sound and capacity-efficient use of the network; they include systems, technologies and services referred to in points (16) to (22) and may also include on-board devices with corresponding infrastructure or digital components;

(16) ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’ or ‘ITS’ means ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’ as defined in Article 4, point (1), of Directive 2010/40/EU;

(17) ‘Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System’ or ‘VTMIS’ means the ‘vessel traffic monitoring and information system’ established by Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (⁵);

(18) ‘River Information Services’ or ‘RIS’ means ‘river information services (RIS)’ as defined in Article 3, point (a), of Directive 2005/44/EC of the Parliament and of the Council (⁶);

(19) ‘European Maritime Single Window environment’ or ‘EMSWe’ means ‘European Maritime Single Window environment’, as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 of the European Parliament and of the Council (⁷);

(20) ‘Air Traffic Management/Air Navigation Service System’ or ‘ATM/ANS System’ means an ‘ATM/ANS system’ as defined in Article 3, point (7), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council (⁸);

(21) ‘European Rail Traffic Management System’ or ‘ERTMS’ means ‘European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)’, as defined in point 2.2 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695 (⁹), and in the context of implementation deadlines it refers to the Class A train protection system and any Class A radio system, referred to in that Regulation;

(22) ‘radio-based ERTMS’ means the European Train Control System (ETCS) application level 2 that does not require lineside signals and uses a Class A radio system for the safety and non-safety related data exchange between track and train pursuant to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695;

(23) ‘class B systems’ means ‘class B systems’ as defined in point 3 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695;

(24) ‘maritime port’ means a ‘maritime port’ as defined in Article 2, point (16), of Regulation (EU) 2017/352 of the European Parliament and of the Council (¹⁰);

(25) ‘short-sea shipping’ means the movement of cargo and passengers by sea between ports situated in geographical waters of one or several Member States or between a port situated in waters of Member States and a port situated in waters of an adjacent third country having a coastline on the seas bordering waters of one or several Member States;

(26) ‘electronic freight transport information’ or ‘eFTI’ means the electronic ‘freight transport information’ as defined in Article 3, point (4) of Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council (¹¹);

(27) ‘single European sky’ or ‘SES’ means the systems established under Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 (¹²) (EC) No 550/2004 (¹³), (EC) No 551/2004 (¹⁴), and (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council to reinforce air traffic safety standards, to contribute to the sustainable development of the air transport system and to improve the overall performance of air traffic management and air navigation services for general air traffic in Europe;

(28) ‘vertiport’ means an area used for the take-off and landing of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft;

(29) ‘aircraft contact stand’ means a stand in a designated area of the airport apron equipped with a passenger boarding bridge;

(30) ‘aircraft remote stand’ means a stand in a designated area of the airport apron not equipped with a passenger boarding bridge;

(31) ‘SESAR project’ means the project to modernise air traffic management in Europe, aimed at providing the Union with a high performance, standardised and interoperable air traffic management infrastructure, and consisting in an innovation cycle that includes the SESAR definition phase, the SESAR development phase and the SESAR deployment phase;

(32) ‘spaceport’ means an installation for testing and launching space crafts;

(33) ‘Europe’s Rail Project’ means a project of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 (¹⁵), or its predecessor Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking;

(34) ‘European ATM Master Plan’ means the plan endorsed by Council Decision 2009/320/EC (¹⁶), and as subsequently amended;

(35) ‘rail freight governance’ means the governance bodies referred to in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 913/2010;

(36) ‘maintenance’ means works intended to maintain the condition and capability of existing infrastructure in a way that it provides a level of service suited to the traffic flow and a high level of safety during its lifetime;

(37) ‘socio-economic cost-benefit analysis’ means a quantified ex-ante evaluation, based on a recognised methodology, of the value of a project, taking into account all the relevant social, economic, health, climate-related and environmental benefits and costs; the analysis of climate-related and environmental costs and benefits is based on the environmental impact assessment carried out pursuant to Directive 2011/92/EU;

(38) ‘alternative fuels’ means ‘alternative fuels’, as defined in Article 2, point (4), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804;

(39) ‘safe and secure parking area’ means a parking area accessible to drivers engaged in the carriage of goods or passengers, meeting the requirements listed in Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (¹⁷) and which has been certified in accordance with Union standards and procedures, referred to in Article 8a(2) of that Regulation;

(40) ‘weigh in motion system’ means an automatic system set up on the road infrastructure with the objective of identifying vehicles or vehicle combinations in circulation that are likely to have exceeded the relevant weight limits, in accordance with Directive 96/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (¹⁸);

(41) ‘project authorising decision’ means a decision or a set of decisions, including of an administrative nature, taken simultaneously or successively, by an authority or authorities of a Member State, not including administrative and judicial appeal authorities, under a national legal system and administrative law that determines whether or not a project promoter is entitled to implement a project on the geographical area concerned on the core network, extended core network or comprehensive network, without prejudice to any decision taken in the context of an administrative or judicial appeal procedure.

Article 4

Objectives of the trans-European transport network

The trans-European transport network shall strengthen the social, economic and territorial cohesion of the Union and contribute to the creation of a single European transport area which is sustainable, safe, efficient and resilient and which increases the benefits for its users and supports inclusive growth. The trans-European transport network shall demonstrate European added value by contributing to the objectives laid down in the following four categories:

(a) sustainability through: (i) promotion of zero and low emission mobility in line with the relevant Union CO2 reduction targets; (ii) enabling greater use of more sustainable modes of transport, in particular by further developing an interoperable long-distance rail passenger network, including at high speed, and an interoperable rail freight network, a reliable inland waterway and short-sea shipping network for passengers and freight across the Union; (iii) increased environmental protection; (iv) reduction of negative externalities, including those related to the environment, climate, health, congestion and accidents, for instance by means of eco-incentives schemes; or (v) greater energy security;

(b) cohesion through: (i) accessibility and connectivity of all regions of the Union, paying particular attention to outermost regions and other remote, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions, as well as sparsely populated areas; (ii) reduction of infrastructure quality gaps, and the promotion of interoperability between digital systems of all transport modes, with adequate network capacity between regions and Member States; (iii) for both passenger and freight traffic, efficient coordination and interconnection between transport infrastructure for long-distance traffic and regional and local traffic in order to facilitate transport services, including in urban nodes; or (iv) a transport infrastructure that reflects the specific situations in different parts of the Union and provides for a balanced coverage of all European regions;

(c) efficiency through: (i) the removal of infrastructure bottlenecks and the bridging of missing links, both within transport infrastructures and at connecting points between them, within Member States’ territories and between them, in particular at cross-border sections, and connecting, where appropriate, to the trans-European transport network in third countries; (ii) the removal of interoperability bottlenecks, including gaps in digitalisation; (iii) the interoperability of national, regional and local transport networks; (iv) optimal integration and interconnection of all transport modes, including in urban nodes; (v) the promotion of economically efficient, high-quality transport contributing to further economic growth and competitiveness; (vi) more efficient use of new and existing infrastructure in operation, for example in the rail sector; (vii) cost-efficient application of interoperable, innovative technological and operational concepts and digital systems; or (viii) greater coordination of infrastructure works between Member States for cross-border projects;

(d) increasing the benefits for its users through: (i) ensuring the accessibility for users and meeting their mobility and transport needs, taking into account in particular the needs of people in situations of vulnerability, including persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and people living in remote regions, including the outermost regions and other remote, rural, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions, as well as sparsely populated areas; (ii) ensuring safe, secure and high-quality standards, including quality of services for all users, for both passenger and freight transport; (iii) supporting the quality, efficiency and sustainability of transport services, which are to be accessible and affordable; (iv) supporting a mobility that is fit for the changing climate and resilient to natural hazards and human-made disasters, and facilitates the efficient and fast deployment of emergency and rescue services, including for persons with disabilities or reduced mobility; (v) ensuring the resilience of infrastructure, in particular on cross-border sections; (vi) offering alternative transport solutions, including on other modes, in the event of network disturbances; (vii) supporting active modes of mobility by enhancing accessibility and quality of related infrastructure, thereby improving safety and health for active users of infrastructure and fostering the environmental benefits of those modes; (viii) supporting seamless mobility in the Union; or (ix) ensuring adequate maintenance intended to provide, for the existing infrastructure, a level of service suited to the traffic flow, and high level of safety during the lifetime of the infrastructure.

Article 5

Resource-efficient and resilient network and environmental protection

The trans-European transport network shall be planned, developed and operated in a resource-efficient way, and in accordance with the applicable Union and national environmental requirements, through:

(a) the development of new infrastructure, the improvement and maintenance of existing transport infrastructure, notably by including maintenance over the life-time of the infrastructure in the planning phase of construction or improvement of the infrastructure and by keeping the infrastructure operational;

(b) the optimisation of infrastructure integration and interconnection;

(c) the deployment of alternative fuels recharging and refuelling infrastructure, thereby contributing to the deployment of decarbonisation technologies;

(d) the deployment of new technologies and ICT systems for transport to preserve or improve the infrastructure performance, where such deployment is economically justified or required to improve safety and security;

(e) the optimisation of infrastructure use, in particular through efficient capacity and traffic management, fostering multimodality and the shift towards more sustainable mobility patterns, including the development of sustainable, attractive and efficient multimodal transport services;

(f) the taking into account and the optimisation of possible synergies with other networks, in particular the trans-European energy or telecommunication networks including, where relevant, the whole electric grid in order to ensure consistency between the recharging infrastructure planning and the respective grid planning, as well as the taking into account of possible synergies with the dual-use of infrastructure identified in the ‘Military Requirements for Military Mobility within and beyond the EU’ approved by the Council on 26 June 2023 and 23 October 2023 and in any subsequent document revising those requirements approved thereafter, as well as with cycling infrastructure, including long-distance cycle routes;

(g) the development of green, sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, taking into account active modes, and the promotion of new technologies that aim to decarbonise the construction of transport infrastructure, including through the use of resource-efficient and climate-proof materials, designed to reduce as much as possible the negative impact on the health of citizens living around the network, the environment, including from air and noise pollution, and degradation of ecosystems; and

(h) the adequate consideration of the resilience of the transport network and its infrastructure and services, especially at cross-border sections, with regard to a changing climate and geopolitical context, as well as natural hazards and human-made disasters, and as disruptions, intentional or not, with a view to addressing those challenges and with a view to enabling adequate response and timely recovery from those disruptions, as well as with a view to facilitating supply chains.

Article 6

Gradual development of the trans-European transport network

Without prejudice to Article 8(5), the trans-European transport network shall, unless otherwise specified in this Regulation, be gradually developed in three steps:

(a) the completion of a core network by 31 December 2030;

(b) the completion of an extended core network by 31 December 2040; and,

The development of the trans-European transport network shall be achieved, in particular, by implementing a structure for that network with a coherent and transparent methodological approach, comprising a, core network, an extended core network and a comprehensive network, with transport and urban nodes as multimodal connecting points between long distance traffic and the regional and local transport networks.

Article 7

European Transport Corridors

The European Transport Corridors shall consist of the parts of the core network or extended core network which are of the highest strategic importance for the development of sustainable and multimodal freight and passenger transport flows in Europe and for the development of interoperable high-quality infrastructure and operational performance.

Article 8

Projects of common interest

Projects of common interest shall:

(a) demonstrate European added value by contributing to objectives falling within at least two of the four categories set out in Article 4(2); and

(b) be economically viable on the basis of a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis or, in the case of sparsely populated areas or projects that are essential for the dual use of infrastructure, have a positive contribution to the development of the network on the basis of a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis.

Article 9

Cooperation with third countries

The Union may cooperate with third countries in order to connect the trans-European transport network with their infrastructure networks through projects of common interest, where relevant with a view to enhancing sustainable economic growth and competitiveness and in particular to:

(a) promote the extension into third countries of the trans-European transport network policy together with other related Union policies, in particular in the fields of environment and climate protection;

(b) ensure the connection between the trans-European transport network and the transport networks of third countries at border crossing points, including on the territory of a third country which is part of the European Transport Corridor, in order to guarantee seamless traffic flows, border checks, border surveillance and other border control procedures;

(c) ensure on the territory of third countries the connection between the trans-European transport network and the transport networks of those third countries, in particular with a view to facilitating, where relevant and appropriate, railway transport with third countries;

(d) complete the transport infrastructure in third countries which serve as links between parts of the trans-European transport network in the Union;

(e) promote the interoperability of the trans-European transport network and networks of third countries;

(f) facilitate maritime transport and promote short-sea shipping routes with third countries provided they do not contribute to carbon leakage;

(g) facilitate inland waterway transport with third countries;

(h) facilitate air transport with third countries, in order to promote efficient and sustainable economic growth and competitiveness, including the extension of the single European sky and improved air traffic management cooperation;

(i) connect and implement ICT systems for transport in those third countries; and

(j) promote decarbonisation of transport, in particular through deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in third countries with a view to establishing a continuous network linked with the trans-European transport network.

CHAPTER II

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 10

General provisions for the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network

The core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network shall:

(a) be those specified in the maps set out in Annex I and in the lists in Annex II;

(b) be further specified through the description of the infrastructure components;

(d) constitute the basis for the identification of projects of common interest.

References to ‘core network’ in Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 shall be construed as including ‘extended core network’ within the meaning of this Regulation.

References to ‘core network’ in Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 shall be construed as references to ‘core network’ within the meaning of this Regulation.

References to ‘comprehensive network’ in Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 shall be construed as references to ‘extended core network’ and ‘comprehensive network’ within the meaning of this Regulation.

Article 11

General provisions for the European Transport Corridors

The nine European Transport Corridors specified in the maps set out in Annex III are, namely:

(a) Atlantic;

(b) Baltic Sea — Black Sea — Aegean Sea;

(d) Mediterranean;

(e) North Sea — Rhine — Mediterranean;

(f) North Sea — Baltic;

(g) Rhine — Danube;

(h) Scandinavian — Mediterranean;

(i) Western Balkans — Eastern Mediterranean.

Article 12

General priorities for the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network

In the development of the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network, general priority shall be given to measures that are necessary for:

(a) increasing the share and, where relevant, the capacity of more sustainable transport for freight and passengers, in particular with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution and increasing the social and economic benefits derived from transport;

(b) ensuring enhanced accessibility and connectivity for all regions of the Union while taking into consideration territorial and social cohesion, and including the specific case of the outermost regions and other remote, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions, as well as sparsely populated areas;

(c) ensuring optimal integration of the transport modes and interoperability between transport modes, including active modes of mobility in urban areas;

(d) bridging missing links and removing bottlenecks, particularly in cross-border sections;

(e) deploying the necessary infrastructure which ensures a seamless circulation of zero and low emission vehicles, and of vessels and aircrafts using fuels which contribute to transport emission reduction and increased energy security;

(f) promoting the efficient, seamless and sustainable use of the infrastructure and, where necessary, increasing capacity;

(g) keeping existing infrastructure operational and improving or maintaining its quality in terms of safety, security, efficiency of the transport system and transport operations, climate and disaster resilience, environmental performance, and the continuity of traffic flows;

(h) improving the quality of services and social conditions for transport workers, accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and other people in situations of vulnerability, preventing and mitigating transport poverty;

(i) improving digitalisation, enabling digital enforcement in accordance with Union law and developing automation, in particular through the implementation and deployment of ICT systems for transport; or

(j) adapting, where necessary and taking into account the constitutional requirements of certain Member States, the infrastructure to a dual use in order to address both civilian and defence needs, paying particular attention to the itineraries needed for short-notice and large-scale movements of military forces.

In order to complement the measures set out in paragraph 1, particular consideration shall be given to measures that are necessary for:

(a) contributing to mitigating exposure of urban areas, and, where relevant, densely- populated sensitive areas, to the negative effects of transiting rail and road transport;

(b) optimising the use of infrastructure, in particular through efficient capacity management, traffic management and increased operational performance;

(c) contributing to positive health and environmental effects by promoting the use of active modes of mobility through the development of corresponding infrastructure for cycling and walking;

(d) ensuring non-discriminatory access to all market participants on the trans-European transport network infrastructure; or

(e) ensuring efficient border crossing for freight transport taking into account waiting times.

Article 13

General priorities for the European Transport Corridors

In the development of the European Transport Corridors, general priority shall be given to measures that are necessary for:

(a) the development of a high performance, seamless and fully interoperable rail freight network across the Union;

(b) the development of an interoperable high performance rail passenger network, including at high speed, connecting urban nodes across the Union;

(c) the development of an efficient aviation and inland waterways transport infrastructure and of a maritime transport infrastructure well integrated within the European Maritime Space;

(d) the development of a safe and secure road network, with sufficient alternative fuel infrastructures, as well as safe and secure parking areas;

(e) the development of multimodal and interoperable transport solutions;

(f) the promotion of intermodal integration of the entire logistic chain, interconnecting efficiently in the transport and urban nodes;

(g) the deployment of the necessary infrastructure which ensures a seamless circulation of zero and low emission vehicles, and of vessels and aircraft using fuels which contribute to transport emission reduction and increased energy security;

(h) the deployment of ICT systems for transport on all modes on the network, where relevant, in order to ensure an efficient use of the infrastructure and enabling digital information exchange; or

(i) the improvement of connections between the trans-European transport network and the infrastructure networks of neighbouring countries, where relevant.

CHAPTER III

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

SECTION 1

Railway transport infrastructure

Article 14

Infrastructure components

Railway transport infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:

(a) railway lines, including: (i) tracks; (ii) points; (iii) level crossings; (iv) sidings; (v) tunnels; (vi) bridges; and (vii) infrastructure mitigating impact on environment;

(b) stations along the railway lines specified in maps set out in Annex I for the transfer of passengers within the rail mode and between rail and other transport modes;

(c) rail service facilities along the railway lines specified in maps set out in Annex I other than passenger stations as defined in Article 3(11) of Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (²⁴), in particular marshalling yards, train formation facilities, shunting facilities, storage sidings, maintenance facilities, other technical facilities like cleaning and washing facilities, relief facilities and refuelling facilities, as well as automatic gauge-changing facilities for rail;

(d) the rail access routes connections up to multimodal freight terminals connected by rail, including the rail access routes up to multimodal freight terminals in inland and maritime ports and airports, and the rail access routes up to ‘marshalling yards’, as referred to in point 2(c) of Annex II to Directive 2012/34/EU;

(e) trackside control-command signalling;

(f) trackside energy infrastructure;

(g) infrastructure related to alternative fuels facilities;

(h) associated equipment; and

(i) ICT systems for transport.

Article 15

Transport infrastructure requirements for the comprehensive network

Member States shall ensure that the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive network complies with:

(a) Directive (EU) 2016/797 and the implementing acts adopted thereunder in order to achieve the interoperability of the comprehensive network; and

(b) the requirements of the technical specifications for interoperability (TSIs) adopted pursuant to Articles 4 and 5 of Directive (EU) 2016/797 without prejudice to the exemptions provided for in Article 7(1) of that Directive.

Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2050, the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d):

(a) is fully electrified as regards line tracks and, to the extent necessary for electric train operations, as regards sidings;

(b) enables, without special permission, an axle load of at least 22,5 tonnes; and

(c) enables, without special permission, the operation of freight trains with a train length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives). This requirement is met if, on double track lines, at least one train path per hour and direction on average on a daily basis, can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m if requested by a railway undertaking.

The requirements set out in paragraph 2, points (b) and (c), shall apply only on those lines of the comprehensive network which:

(a) connect a multimodal freight terminal or a maritime or an inland port with its closest crossing point with the core freight network or extended core freight network;

(b) constitute a re-routing line of a line that is part of the core freight network or extended core freight network; or

(c) operate more than ten freight trains per day on average in both directions based on the data for the previous year prior to the notification.

By 19 July 2027, Member States shall notify the Commission of the lines concerned. For cross-border sections, such notification shall be made in agreement with the other Member States concerned.

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided, as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability and continuity of the railway network where relevant. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.

The Commission may ask for additional information from the Member State no later than 30 calendar days following the receipt of request pursuant to the first subparagraph. If the Commission considers that the information provided is insufficient, it may ask the Member State to supplement that additional information within 30 calendar days from the receipt of that additional information.

The Commission shall take a decision on the requested exemption no later than six months following the receipt of the request pursuant to the first subparagraph or, in the event that further information has been provided by the Member States concerned pursuant to the third subparagraph, no later than four months following the latest receipt of such information, whichever is later. In the absence of an explicit decision by the Commission within such time-limits, the exemption shall be deemed to be granted.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 16

Transport infrastructure requirements for the core network and the extended core network

Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2040, the railway infrastructure of the extended core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), for lines that are part of the network for freight transport:

(a) meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), points (a) and (b);

(b) enables, without special permission, the operation of freight trains with a train length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives). This requirement is met if at least the following conditions are complied with: (i) on double track lines, at least one train path per two hours and direction and not less than 24 train paths on daily basis, can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m if requested by a railway undertaking; (ii) on single track lines, at least one train path per three hours and direction and not less than 12 train paths on daily basis, can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m if requested by a railway undertaking; and

(c) for rail sections linking the multimodal freight terminals of two urban nodes or the multimodal freight terminal of an urban node and a border crossing point, over 75 % of the length of each rail section, is designed for a speed of at least 100 km/h for freight trains on the freight lines of the extended core network.

(a) meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), point (a), on the passenger lines of the extended core network; and

(b) for rail sections linking the multimodal passenger hubs of two urban nodes or the multimodal passenger hubs of an urban node and a border crossing point, over 75 % of the length of each rail section is designed for a speed of at least 160 km/h for passenger trains on the passenger lines of the extended core network.

Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2030, the railway infrastructure of the core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d):

(a) for lines that are part of the network for freight transport: meets the requirements set out in paragraph (2), points (a), (b) and (c) of this Article; and

(b) for the lines that are part of the network for passenger transport: meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), point (a).

This requirement shall be deemed to be met if at least the following conditions are complied with on each European Transport Corridor on the territory of the Member State:

(a) there is at least one direct line meeting that requirement enabling uninterrupted operation of trains in the territory of a Member State and on cross-border lines with each neighbouring Member State;

(b) there is at least one direct line meeting that requirement to at least one rail road terminal or one multimodal freight terminal located in or adjacent to a maritime port which is part of the European Transport Corridor on the territory of a Member State; and

(c) there is at least one direct line meeting that requirement to at least one of these end points if one or more end points of a corridor are located on the territory of a Member State.

For cross-border sections, the determination of the lines concerned shall be made in agreement with the neighbouring Member States concerned.

At the latest by 19 July 2027, Member States shall notify the Commission of the lines concerned.

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability and continuity of the railway network, where relevant. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.

When assessing requests for exemptions from the requirement related to carriage of the semi-trailers set out in paragraph 8, the Commission shall take particularly into consideration the results of the socio-economic cost-benefit analysis as well as the potential disruption of the services caused by the necessary works needed to meet that requirement.

When assessing requests for the exemptions from the requirements laid down in this Article for the extended core network, the Commission shall take particularly into consideration any major investment undertaken by the Member State concerned on a parallel line in close proximity to the ones to be newly constructed.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 17

European standard nominal track gauge for rail

Based on the assessment under the first subparagraph, Member States shall draw up a plan for migration to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm where relevant, at the latest one year following the completion of the assessment, identifying the existing railway lines located on the European Transport Corridors to be migrated to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm and provide for an indication of the timeline of that migration.

First and second subparagraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis to the railway lines for which construction works have started on 18 July 2024.

The Commission shall take a decision on the requested exemption no later than six months following the receipt of the request pursuant to the first subparagraph or, in the event that further information has been provided by the Member States concerned pursuant to the third subparagraph, no later than four months following the latest receipt of such information, whichever is later. The decision shall indicate the period for which the exemption is granted.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 18

The European Rail Traffic Management System

Member States shall ensure that:

(a) ERTMS is equipped on the railway infrastructure of the extended core network by 31 December 2040 and the comprehensive network by 31 December 2050, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), while ensuring a synchronised and harmonised ERTMS deployment trackside and on board of trains; and

(b) ERTMS is deployed on connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), of the extended core network by 31 December 2040 and the comprehensive network by 31 December 2050, where such equipment is deemed to be necessary by the Member State concerned in coordination with the relevant stakeholders, in particular the infrastructure manager.

Member States shall ensure that by 31 December 2030:

(a) the railway infrastructure of the core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), meets the requirements of paragraph 1; and

(b) ERTMS is deployed on connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), of the core network where such equipment is deemed to be necessary by the Member State concerned in coordination with the relevant stakeholders, in particular the infrastructure manager.

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided under the first subparagraph as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 19

Operational priorities

The Rail Freight governance shall make all possible efforts to ensure by 31 December 2030, that, on the European Transport Corridors, the quality of services provided to railway undertakings and technical and operational requirements for infrastructure use do not prevent the operational performance of rail freight services along the European Transport Corridors from meeting the following target values:

(a) for each internal cross-border section, the dwelling time of all freight trains crossing the border between two Member States does not exceed 25 minutes on average, except at the sections where a change of track gauge takes place or where the checks carried out at a border where the controls have not yet been lifted on trains in application of point 1.2 of Annex VI to Regulation (EU) 2016/399 do not allow for this time-limit to be complied with; the dwelling time of a train on a cross-border section means the total additional transit time that can be attributed to the existence of the border crossing, irrespective of procedures or considerations of infrastructural, operational, technical and administrative nature; dwelling time does not include the time that cannot be attributed to the border crossing, such as operational procedures carried out in facilities located in the proximity of the border crossing but not intrinsically related to it; and

(b) at least 75 % of the freight trains crossing at least one border along a European Transport Corridor arrive at their destination, or at the external Union border if their destination is outside the Union, at their scheduled time or with a delay of less than 30 minutes by reasons that are attributable to the infrastructure manager(s) of the Union; delays occurring in and attributable to third countries that are crossed by freight trains shall not be taken into account.

Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure that, by 31 December 2030 for the lines for freight transport on the core network, by 31 December 2040 for the lines for freight transport on the extended core network, and by 31 December 2050 for the lines for freight transport of the comprehensive network referred to in Article 15(3), the following conditions apply:

(a) on double track lines, at least two train paths per hour and direction can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives); and

(b) on single track lines, at least one train path per two hours and direction can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives).

Article 20

Additional priorities for railway infrastructure development

In the promotion of projects of common interest related to railway infrastructure, and in addition to the general priorities set out in Articles 12 and 13, attention shall be given to the following:

(a) migrating to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm, where relevant;

(b) mitigating the impact of noise and vibration caused by rail transport, in particular through measures for rolling stock and for infrastructure, including noise protection barriers;

(d) where appropriate, connecting railway transport infrastructure with inland waterway port infrastructure;

(e) subject to socio-economic costs and benefits analysis, developing infrastructure for train lengths above 740 m and up to 1 500 m and 25,0 tonnes axle load when constructing and modernising railway lines relevant for freight traffic;

(f) developing and deploying innovative technologies for railways, building in particular on the work of the Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail Joint Undertakings, notably automatic train operation, advanced traffic management, and digital connectivity for passengers based on ERTMS and digital automatic couplings, connectivity based on 5G and satellite and inertial units for the geopositioning units of ERTMS;

(g) when building or upgrading railway infrastructure, ensure the continuity and accessibility of pedestrian and cycling paths, and develop bicycle parking in the vicinity of the stations in order to promote the active modes of transport;

(h) developing innovative alternative fuels technologies for railways, such as hydrogen or battery powered trains for sections and rail access routes that are exempted from the electrification requirement;

(i) for the development of the trans-European transport network, providing a standard of ensuring the circulation of freight trains carrying standard semi-trailers up to 4 m high loaded at a height of 33 cm, without any additional requirement for special permission to operate services; and

(j) upgrading to double-track rail in bottlenecks sections suffering from capacity barriers.

SECTION 2

Inland waterways transport infrastructure

Article 21

Infrastructure components

Inland waterways infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:

(a) rivers;

(b) canals;

(d) related infrastructure such as locks, elevators, bridges, reservoirs and associated flood and drought prevention and mitigation measures which may bring positive effects to inland waterway navigation;

(e) access waterways and last mile connections to multimodal freight terminals connected by inland waterways, in particular in inland and maritime ports;

(f) mooring and rest places;

(g) inland ports, including basic port infrastructure in the form of internal basins, quay walls, berths, jetties, docks, dykes, backfills, platforms, land reclamation and the infrastructure necessary for transport operations within the port area and outside the port area;

(h) associated equipment referred to in paragraph 2;

(i) ICT systems for transport, including RIS;

(j) the connections of the inland ports to the other modes in the trans-European transport network;

(k) infrastructure related to facilities for alternative fuels; and

(l) infrastructure necessary for zero waste operations and circular economy measures.

In order to be part of the comprehensive network, an inland port shall meet the following conditions:

(a) it has an annual freight transhipment volume exceeding 500 000 tonnes, where the total annual freight transhipment volume shall be based on the latest available three-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat; and

(b) it is located on the inland waterway network of the trans-European transport network.

Article 22

Transport infrastructure requirements for the comprehensive network

Member States shall ensure that inland ports on the comprehensive network, by 31 December 2050:

(a) are connected with the road or rail infrastructure;

(b) offer at least one multimodal freight terminal open to all operators and users in a non-discriminatory way and which shall apply transparent and non-discriminatory charges; and

(c) are equipped with facilities to improve the environmental performance of vessels in ports, which may include waste reception facilities, degassing facilities, noise reduction measures, as well as measures to reduce air and water pollution.

Article 23

Transport infrastructure requirements for the core network

Member States shall prevent the deterioration of the Good Navigation Status, as well as prevent the deterioration of the current status of those parts of the network that already exceed those minimum requirements by 18 July 2024.

Member States shall by 31 December 2030 in particular ensure that:

(a) rivers, canals, lakes, lagoons, inland ports and their access routes provide a navigable channel depth of at least 2,5 m and a minimum height under non-openable bridges of at least 5,25 m at specified reference water levels, which are exceeded at a defined number of days per year on a statistical average;

(b) Member States shall publish on a website accessible to the public the number of days per year as referred to in point (a) during which the actual water level exceeds or does not achieve the specified reference water level for navigation channel depth, as well as the average waiting times at each lock;

(c) operators of locks shall ensure that locks are operated and maintained in such a way that waiting times are minimised; and

(d) rivers, canals, lakes and lagoons are equipped with RIS for all services in accordance with Directive 2005/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (²⁵), so as to guarantee real-time information to users across borders.

For the purposes of point (a) of this paragraph, the reference water levels shall be established on the basis of the number of days per year on which the actual water level exceeded the specified reference water level. Subject to the approval of the Member States concerned in accordance with Article 172, second paragraph, TFEU, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts, to be elaborated in close cooperation with such Member States, in consultation with the European Coordinators concerned and, if applicable, in consultation with river navigation commissions set up by international agreements, specifying the reference water levels referred to in point (a) of this paragraph per corridor, per waterway or per waterway section. These implementing acts shall be consistent with the requirements which are set out in international conventions, in agreements concluded between Member States, including in the regulations adopted by the river navigation commissions set up by such conventions and agreements. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 61(3) of this Regulation.

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided under the first subparagraph. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Deterioration of the minimum requirements caused by direct human action or by lack of diligence in the maintenance of the inland waterway network shall not be considered as a case justifying the granting of an exemption.

The Commission may adopt guidelines ensuring a coherent approach on the application of the Good Navigation Status in the Union. These guidelines may cover in particular:

(a) specific parameters for free flowing rivers;

(b) complementary parameters for navigable width of channel;

(d) use of digital applications of the network and automation processes;

(e) resilience of the infrastructure to climate change, natural hazards and human-made disasters or intentional disruptions; or

(f) introduction and promotion of new technologies and innovation for zero and low carbon energy fuels and propulsion systems.

Article 24

Additional priorities for inland waterway infrastructure development

In the promotion of projects of common interest related to inland waterway infrastructures, and in addition to the general priorities set out in Articles 12 and 13, attention shall be given to the following:

(a) where appropriate, achieving higher standards for modernising existing waterways and for creating new waterways, in order to meet market demands;

(b) prevention and mitigation measures against flooding and droughts;

(c) improvement of digitalisation and automation processes, in particular with a view to increasing safety, security and sustainability in inland waterway transport, including within urban nodes;

(d) modernisation and expansion of the capacity of the infrastructure, including mooring and rest places and their services necessary for multimodal transport operations both within and outside the port area and along the waterway;

(e) promoting and developing measures to improve the environmental performance of inland waterway transport and transport infrastructure, including zero and low emission vessels and measures to mitigate impacts on water bodies and water-dependent biodiversity, in accordance with the applicable requirements under Union law or relevant international agreements;

(f) development and use of shallow-draught inland waterway vessels suited for low water levels;

(g) when building or upgrading inland waterways infrastructure, ensuring the continuity and accessibility of pedestrian and cycling paths in order to promote the active modes of transport;

(h) promoting actions to prevent deterioration of the waterway requirements, including means to monitor fairway conditions; and

(i) where appropriate, improving the navigation conditions, along the inland waterways in the construction of new bridges, or in the renovation of non-openable bridges, by paying particular attention to their height clearance in relation to the existing bridges of a specific waterway section.

SECTION 3

Maritime transport infrastructure and the European Maritime Space

Article 25

Infrastructure components

The European Maritime Space consists of:

(a) the maritime transport infrastructure within the port area of the core network and comprehensive network, including hinterland connectivity;

(b) wider benefit actions that are not linked to specific ports and that benefit the European Maritime Space and the maritime industry widely, such as support to activities ensuring year-round navigability (icebreaking), facilitating the transition towards sustainable maritime transport, improving the synergies between transport and energy, inter alia by fostering the role of ports as energy hubs and helping the energy transition, and ICT systems for transport and hydrographic surveys; and

(c) the promotion of sustainable and resilient short-sea shipping links, in particular those that concentrate flows of freight in order to reduce negative external costs such as emissions and congestion from road transport within the Union and those that improve access to outermost and other remote, insular and peripheral regions through the establishment or upgrading of sustainable, regular and frequent maritime services.

Maritime transport infrastructure referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 shall comprise, in particular:

(a) maritime ports, including the infrastructure necessary for transport operations within the port area;

(b) basic port infrastructure such as internal basins, quay walls, berths, platforms, jetties, docks, dykes, backfills, and land reclamation;

(d) navigational aids;

(e) port approaches, fairways and locks;

(f) breakwaters;

(g) the connections of the ports to the trans-European transport network;

(h) ICT systems for transport, including EMSWe and VTMIS;

(i) infrastructure related to alternative fuels;

(j) associated equipment, which may include, in particular, equipment for traffic and cargo management, for the reduction of negative effects on the environment, including for zero waste operations and circular economy measures, for improving energy efficiency, for the reduction of noise, and for the use of alternative fuels, as well as equipment to ensure year-round navigability, including ice-breaking, hydrological surveys, and for dredging and protection of the port and port approaches; and

(k) infrastructure facilitating port activities related to renewable energy, including offshore wind farms.

In order to be part of the comprehensive network, a maritime port shall meet at least one of the following conditions:

(a) its total annual passenger traffic volume exceeds 0,1 % of the total annual passenger traffic volume of all maritime ports of the Union with the reference amount for this total volume being the latest available three-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat;

(b) its total annual cargo volume, either for bulk or for non-bulk cargo handling, exceeds 0,1 % of the corresponding total annual cargo volume handled in all maritime ports of the Union with the reference amount for this total volume being the latest available three-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat;

(c) its total annual cargo volume, for bulk and /or for non-bulk cargo handling, exceeds annually 500 000 tonnes and its contribution to the diversification of EU energy supplies and to the acceleration of the roll-out of renewable energies is one of the main activities of the port with the reference amount for this total volume being the latest available three-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat;

(d) it is located on an island and provides the sole point of access to a NUTS 3 region in the comprehensive network within the meaning of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003; or

(e) it is located in an outermost region or a peripheral area, outside a radius of 200 km from the nearest other port in the comprehensive network.

Article 26

Transport infrastructure requirements for the comprehensive network

Member States shall ensure that:

(a) alternative fuels infrastructure is deployed in maritime ports of the comprehensive network in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2023/1804;

(b) maritime ports of the comprehensive network are equipped with the necessary infrastructure to improve the environmental performance of ships in ports, in particular reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/883 of the European Parliament and of the Council (²⁶);

(d) maritime national single windows are implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1239.

Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2050:

(a) maritime ports of the comprehensive network with a total annual cargo volume of more than 2 million tonnes are connected with the rail and road infrastructure and, where possible, inland waterways; the reference amount for this total volume being the latest available three-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat;

(b) any maritime port of the comprehensive network that serves freight traffic offers at least one multimodal freight terminal which is open to all operators and users in a non-discriminatory way, and which applies transparent and non-discriminatory charges;

(c) sea canals, port fairways and estuaries which connect two seas, or which provide access from the sea to maritime ports correspond at least to inland waterways that meet the requirements of Article 23; and

(d) maritime ports of the comprehensive network connected to inland waterways are equipped with handling capacity for inland waterway vessels.

The obligation to ensure the connection referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph shall not apply where specific geographic or significant physical constraints prevent such connection.

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided under the first subparagraph.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 27

Transport infrastructure requirements for the core network

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided under the first subparagraph.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 28

Additional priorities for maritime infrastructure development and the European Maritime Space

In the promotion of projects of common interest related to maritime infrastructure and the European Maritime Space, and in addition to the priorities set out in Articles 12 and 13, attention shall be given to the following:

(a) upgrading maritime access, such as breakwaters, sea channels, fairways, locks, dredging and navigational aids;

(b) construction or upgrading basic port infrastructure, such as internal basins, alternative fuels infrastructure, quay walls, berths, platforms, jetties, docks, dykes, backfills and land reclamation;

(c) the improvement of the infrastructure interconnecting the different modes of transport, the equipment and systems referred to in Article 37, points (a), (b) and (d); as well as the modernisation and expansion of the capacity of the rail infrastructure necessary for transport operations in or adjacent to the port area, if needed for connection to the trans-European rail network;

(d) improvement of digitalisation and automation processes, in particular with a view to increasing safety, security, efficiency and sustainability;

(e) introduction and promotion of new technologies and innovation, as well as renewable and low carbon fuels;

(f) improvement of the resilience of the logistic chains and international maritime trade, including in relation to climate adaptation;

(g) noise reduction and energy efficiency measures;

(h) promoting zero and low emission vessels serving and operating short-sea shipping links, and developing measures to improve the environmental performance of maritime transport for port call and supply chain optimisation in accordance with the applicable requirements under Union law or relevant international agreements, such as the use of eco-incentives schemes;

(i) actions linked to the promotion of wider benefit actions and of short-sea shipping links in the framework of the European Maritime Space, including the promotion of an improved access to outermost and other remote, insular and peripheral regions;

(j) promoting zero and low emission ferry transport as a sustainable mode of passenger transport;

(k) actions aimed to increase the share of freight, including for short-sea shipping links, that transfers from road and air transport to maritime or inland waterways and rail transport, in order to reduce negative external costs such as emissions and congestion; and

(l) improving access to outermost regions and other remote, insular and peripheral regions.

SECTION 4

Road transport infrastructure

Article 29

Infrastructure components

Road transport infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:

(a) roads including: (i) bridges; (ii) tunnels; (iii) junctions; (iv) crossings; (v) interchanges; (vi) hard shoulders; and (vii) infrastructure mitigating impact on environment, including solutions for fauna preservation or noise mitigation;

(b) associated equipment, including weigh in motion systems;

(d) access routes to multimodal freight terminals;

(e) connections of the freight terminals and logistic platforms to the other modes in the trans-European transport network;

(f) bus terminals;

(g) infrastructure related to facilities for alternative fuels; and

(h) parking and rest areas, including safe and secure parking areas for commercial vehicles.

Article 30

Transport infrastructure requirements for the comprehensive network

Member States shall ensure that:

(a) the safety of road transport infrastructure is ensured, monitored and, when necessary, improved in accordance with Directive 2008/96/EC;

(b) the roads are designed, built or upgraded and maintained with high quality and safety standards;

(c) the roads are designed, built or upgraded and maintained with a high level of environmental protection, including as appropriate through noise reduction measures and the collection, treatment and release of water run-off;

(d) road tunnels over 500 m in length comply with Directive 2004/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (²⁷);

(e) where applicable, the interoperability of toll collection systems is ensured in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/520 of the European Parliament and of the Council (²⁸) and with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/204 (²⁹) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/203 (³⁰);

(f) where applicable, tolls or user charges are levied in accordance with Directive 1999/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (³¹);

(g) any intelligent transport system on road transport infrastructure complies with Directive 2010/40/EU and is deployed in a manner consistent with delegated acts adopted on the basis thereof; and

(h) alternative fuels infrastructure is deployed on the road network in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/1804.

Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2050, the roads referred in Article 29(1), point (a), of the comprehensive network meet the following requirements:

(a) the road is specially designed, built or upgraded for motor traffic;

(b) rest areas are available at a maximum distance of 100 km from each other, providing safe and sufficient parking space, and appropriate facilities, including sanitary facilities, that meet the needs of a diverse workforce; and

For the purposes of point (c) of the first subparagraph, when installing weigh in motion systems Member States may focus on road sections with high intensity of freight traffic. Weigh in motion systems shall allow the identification of vehicles and vehicle combinations that are likely to have exceeded the maximum authorised weights set out in Directive 96/53/EC.

Member States shall ensure the deployment or use of the means to detect safety-related events or conditions, and the collection of the relevant road traffic data for the purpose of providing road safety-related minimum universal traffic information as defined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 886/2013 (³²):

(a) for the existing infrastructure of the comprehensive network by 31 December 2030; and

(b) for the new infrastructure of the comprehensive network by 31 December 2050 or, in the event that the road section is completed before, by its date of completion.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 31

Transport infrastructure requirements for the core network and extended core network

Member States shall ensure that the roads, as referred in Article 29(1), point (a), comply with the following requirements, by 31 December 2030 for the road infrastructure of the core network and by 31 December 2040 for the road infrastructure of the extended core network:

(a) the roads are specially designed, built or upgraded for motor traffic;

(b) the roads provide, except at special points or temporarily, separate carriageways for the two directions of traffic, separated from each other by a dividing strip not intended for traffic or by other means ensuring equivalent level of safety; and

Member States shall ensure that the road infrastructure of the core network and extended core by 31 December 2040 complies with the following:

(a) rest areas are available along roads of the core network and extended core network at a maximum distance of 60 km from each other, providing sufficient safe parking space and appropriate facilities, including sanitary facilities, that meet the needs of a diverse workforce; and

(b) meets the requirements set out in Article 30(2), point (c).

Member States shall ensure that the road infrastructure meets the requirements set out in Article 30(3):

(a) for the existing infrastructure of the core network, by 31 December 2025, and for the existing infrastructure of the extended core network, by 31 December 2030; and

(b) for the new infrastructure of the core network, by 31 December 2030, and for the new infrastructure of the extended core network, by 31 December 2040, or, in the event that the road section is completed before, by its date of completion.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 32

Additional priorities for road infrastructure development

In the promotion of projects of common interest related to road infrastructure, and in addition to the general priorities set out in Articles 12 and 13, attention shall be given to the following:

(a) improvement and promotion of road safety, taking into account the needs of vulnerable users and road users in all their diversity, in particular persons with reduced mobility;

(b) mitigation of congestion on existing roads, in particular through intelligent traffic management, including dynamic congestion charges or tolls varied based on the time of day, week or season;

(c) improvement of digitalisation and automation processes, introduction of innovative technologies to improve the control of compliance with the Union road transport legal framework, including smart and automated enforcement tools and communication infrastructure;

(d) when building or upgrading road infrastructure, ensuring the continuity and accessibility of pedestrian and cycling paths in order to promote the active modes of transport and improving, where relevant, the infrastructure for active mobility; and

(e) development of safe and secure parking areas providing a sufficient parking space for commercial vehicles and complying with the requirements set out in Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on the comprehensive network.

SECTION 5

Air transport infrastructure

Article 33

Infrastructure components

Air transport infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:

(a) air space, routes and airways;

(b) airports, including the infrastructure and equipment necessary for ground and transport operations within the airport area, and vertiports;

(d) ATM/ANS Systems and associated equipment, including space-based equipment;

(e) infrastructure related to alternative fuels, and electricity supply to stationary aircraft;

(f) infrastructure for the on-site production of alternative fuels and improving energy efficiency and reducing climate, environmental and noise emissions of airports or of associated airport operations such as ground-handling services, aircraft operations and passenger ground transport;

(g) infrastructure used for separate waste collection, waste prevention and activities in the area of circular economy; and

(h) spaceports.

In order to be part of the comprehensive network, an airport shall meet at least one of the following conditions:

(a) for cargo airports, the total annual cargo volume is at least 0,2 % of the total annual cargo volume of all airports of the Union;

(b) for passenger airports, the total annual passenger traffic is at least 0,1 % of the total annual passenger volume of all airports of the Union, unless the airport in question is situated outside a radius of 100 km from the nearest airport in the comprehensive network or outside a radius of 200 km where there is a high-speed railway line in the region in which it is situated.

The total annual passenger volume and the total annual cargo volume are based on the latest available three-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat.

Article 34

Transport infrastructure requirements for the core network and comprehensive network

Member States shall ensure that:

(a) the airports of the trans-European transport network with a total annual passenger traffic volume of more than 12 million passengers are connected to the trans-European railway network, including the high-speed railway network where possible, allowing long distance services by 31 December 2040, except where specific geographic or significant physical constraints prevent such connections;

(b) the airports of the trans-European transport network with a total annual passenger traffic volume of more than four million and less than 12 million passengers are connected to the trans-European railway network or, where the airport is located in or in the vicinity of an urban node of the trans-European railway network, to that urban node, by railway, metro, light rail, tramways, cable car or, exceptionally, other zero emission public transport solutions, by 31 December 2050, except where specific geographic or significant physical constraints prevent such connections;

(c) any airport of the trans-European transport network offers at least one terminal which is open to all operators and users in a non-discriminatory way and which shall apply transparent and non-discriminatory charges;

(d) common basic standards for safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference, as adopted by the Union in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (³³), apply to the air transport infrastructure;

(e) infrastructure for air traffic management is such as to permit the implementation of the single European sky, in accordance with Regulations (EC) No 549/2004, (EC) No 550/2004, (EC) No 551/2004 and (EU) 2018/1139, of air transport operations, in order to improve the performance and sustainability of the European aviation system, of implementing rules and of Union specifications;

(f) alternative fuels infrastructure is deployed in airports in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/1804; and

(g) the airports of the core network and comprehensive network with a total annual passenger traffic volume of more than four million passengers provide infrastructure for pre-conditioned air supply to stationary aircraft at aircraft contact stands used for commercial transport operations by 31 December 2030 for airports of the core network and 31 December 2040 for airports of the comprehensive network.

The total annual passenger volume referred to in points (a), (b) and (g), of the first subparagraph shall be based on the latest available three-year average on 18 July 2024, based on the statistics published by Eurostat.

The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided under the first subparagraph.

The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.

Article 35

Additional priorities for air transport infrastructure development

In the promotion of projects of common interest related to air transport infrastructure, and in addition to the priorities set out in Articles 12 and 13, attention shall be given to the following:

(a) increasing airport energy and operational efficiency;

(b) supporting the implementation of the single European sky and of interoperable systems, in particular those developed by the SESAR project in accordance with the European ATM Master Plan, including those aiming at ensuring safe and full integration of new air vehicles, manned and unmanned;

(d) improving multimodal interconnections between airports and infrastructure of other transport modes, and between airports and urban nodes where appropriate;

(e) improving sustainability and mitigating climate, environmental and noise impacts, in particular by introducing new technologies and innovation, alternative fuels, zero and low emission aircraft and zero and low carbon infrastructure and other alternative fuel infrastructure complying with Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, as well as fuels complying with Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 of the European Parliament and of the Council (³⁴);

(f) connection of the airports of the comprehensive network and core network with a total annual passenger traffic volume of less than 4 million passengers to the network and, where applicable, to corresponding urban nodes, as set out in Annex II, by railway, metro, light rail, tramways, cable car or, exceptionally, other zero emission public transport solutions; and

(g) infrastructure providing pre-conditioned air supply to stationary aircraft at remote stands, and at contact stands in the airports of the trans-European transport network with a total annual passenger traffic volume of less than 4 million passengers.

SECTION 6

Infrastructure for multimodal freight terminals

Article 36

Identification of the multimodal freight terminals

The multimodal freight terminals of the trans-European transport network are terminals that are open to all operators and users in a non-discriminatory way and are:

(a) located in or adjacent to the maritime ports of the trans-European transport network, as listed in Annex II;

(b) located in or adjacent to the inland ports of the trans-European transport network, as listed in Annex II;

(d) classified as rail road terminals or terminals along the inland waterways of the trans-European transport network, as listed in Annex II.

By 19 July 2027, Member States shall conduct a market and prospective analysis on multimodal freight terminals on their territory. This analysis shall at least:

(a) examine the current and the future traffic flows of freight, per transport mode;

(b) identify the existing multimodal freight terminals of the trans-European transport network on their territory, and assess the need for new multimodal freight terminals or additional transhipment capacity in existing terminals; and

(c) analyse how to ensure adequate distribution of multimodal freight terminals with adequate transhipment capacity in order to meet the needs identified in point (b), this shall take into account the terminals located in border areas of neighbouring Member States.

Member States shall consult shippers, transport, logistics operators, as well as other relevant stakeholders which operate on their territory. They shall take into account the results of the consultation in their analysis.

Member States shall notify the results of the analysis to the Commission without delay.

The action plan shall be notified to the Commission no later than 12 months after finalising the analysis referred to in paragraph 3.

On the basis of that action plan, Member States shall notify to the Commission a list of rail road terminals and terminals along inland waterways which they propose to add to Annexes I and II.

In order to be part of the trans-European transport network and to be listed in Annex II, a rail road terminal or a terminal along inland waterways shall meet at least one of the following conditions:

(a) its annual transhipment of freight exceeds, for non-bulk cargo, 800 000 tonnes or, for bulk cargo, 0,1 % of the corresponding total annual cargo volume handled in all maritime ports of the Union;

(b) it is the main rail road terminal designated by the Member State for a NUTS 2 region, where there is no rail road terminal complying with point (a) in that NUTS 2 region;

Article 37

Infrastructure components

Multimodal freight terminals shall comprise, in particular:

(a) infrastructure interconnecting the different modes of transport within a terminal area and its vicinity;

(b) equipment such as cranes, conveyors or other transhipment devices to move freight between different transport modes and for the positioning and storage of freight;

(c) dedicated areas such as gate area, intermediate buffer and waiting area, transhipment area and driving or loading lanes;

(d) ICT systems for transport relevant for efficient terminal operations such as those that facilitate infrastructure capacity planning, transport operations, connections between the modes, and transhipment; and

(e) infrastructure for alternative fuels.

Article 38

Transport infrastructure requirements

Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure in a fair and non-discriminatory manner that all multimodal freight terminals, which are open to all operators and users in non-discriminatory way and apply transparent and non-discriminatory charges in maritime ports and inland ports as listed in Annex II and in all rail road terminals and terminals along inland waterways specified in the maps set out in Annex I and listed in Annex II, meet the following requirements:

(a) they are connected to at least two modes of transport which are available in the area;

(b) they are, by 31 December 2030, equipped inside the terminal or within the 3 km distance from the terminal with at least one recharging station, as defined in Article 2, point (52), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 dedicated to serve heavy-duty vehicles, and, where appropriate, one refuelling station, as defined in Article 2, point (59), of that Regulation, used for hydrogen and dedicated to serve heavy-duty vehicles; and

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