TAF TAP
Technical Specifications for Interoperability "Telematics Applications for Freight" and "Telematics Applications for Passengers" (TAF TAP TSIs)
The digital exchange of information between railway stakeholders (infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, wagon keepers, etc.) reduces the barriers to optimum use of this mode of transport. This is as true for the companies themselves as it is for the public. For companies, it reduces their administrative constraints and optimises their means of production. For citizens, digital services such as real-time information have become essential.
To ensure these exchanges of information, companies' IT systems need to be able to communicate with each other via compatible interfaces and in interchangeable formats.
What are TAF and TAP TSIs?
Given the international dimension of rail transport, common specifications have been defined at European level to ensure the interoperability of rail networks, in other words the trans-European rail system. These are known as the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs).
Specific TSIs have been drawn up for the exchange of information on rail freight and passenger services. These are the "Telematics Applications for Freight" and "Telematics Applications for Passengers" TSIs, or TAF TAP TSIs for short.
They define message formats, content, conditions of use and functionalities such as reserving a seat or bicycle space on a train, data relating to connections, train composition, information on train movements and train forecasts, to name but a few.
TSIs are aimed exclusively at businesses and B2B information exchanges.
It is then up to companies to use this available information to generate value-added services, either for their own needs or for their customers.
Who should implement these TSIs?
Railway undertakings, infrastructure managers, ticket vendors, station managers and wagon keepers are required to implement the provisions of these TSIs. This is an obligation, not an option.
Regular reporting is mandatory for entities falling within the scope of the TSIs. Its purpose is to assess the extent to which the TSIs have been implemented. This reporting is initiated by the European Railway Agency (ERA) with the project managers of the companies concerned. It takes the form of a questionnaire. The data is anonymised. A consolidated report is then published by the ERA. (Telematics Applications for Passenger Service TSI | European Union Agency for Railways (europa.eu) / Telematics Applications for Freight Service TSI | European Union Agency for Railways (europa.eu))
How can these TSIs be implemented?
ERA has published technical documents and implementation guides for TAF (TAF | European Union Agency for Railways (europa.eu)) and TAP TSIs (TAP / Baseline 1.4.4 | European Union Agency for Railways (europa.eu)).
Do you still have questions? Who should you contact?
A network of National Contact Points (NCPs) has been set up to provide information on the implementation of the TSI provisions and to relay any difficulties encountered on the ground to the European level.
The Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport is the NCP for Belgium.
Any request for information or guidance on the implementation of the TAF & TAP TSIs can be addressed to taftap@mobilit.fgov.be
Legislative framework
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1305/2014 of 11 December 2014 on the technical specification for interoperability relating to the telematics applications for freight subsystem of the rail system in the European Union and repealing the Regulation (EC) No 62/2006 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02014R1305-20210418)
Commission Regulation (EU) No 454/2011 of 5 May 2011 on the technical specification for interoperability relating to the subsystem telematics applications for passenger services of the trans-European rail system (EUR-Lex - 02011R0454-20190616 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) )