Technical Specification of Interoperability for Persons with Reduced Mobility (TSI-PRM) defines a set of standards to which different subsystems of a railway system need to adhere in order to guarantee accessibility for PRMs and, as such, to all passengers.
The standards not only cover infrastructure specifications, but also standards for rolling stock and system management. Minor elements on operation, management, maintenance and health and safety are addressed as well.
Using the different standards described in the TSI-PRM will, in theory, ensure legislative compliance on certain aspects, but definitely guarantee that the interchange is accessible for all passengers or users. These technical standards have a legislative nature for the elements where mandatory standards are defined and when the interchange has a railway integrated into the transport node. If no railway is included at the interchange, these standards can act as a guidance or reference document as do the chapters in the document on voluntary standards.
These technical specifications are available in all EU languages.
These technical specifications should be used in the planning stages of building or refurbishing an interchange. Some elements on maintenance and operation can be used when addressing management issues at an interchange. Not all elements of these technical specifications are applicable for interchanges. The chapter entitled “subsystem infrastructure” is the most relevant for interchanges. This chapter defines standards on the following elements:
Not all elements of these technical specifications are applicable for interchanges. The section on “subsystem infrastructure” is the most relevant. This chapter defines standards on the following elements:
NODES strategic objective | Contribution |
---|---|
Enhance accessibility and integration | ++ |
Enhance intermodality | + |
Enhance liveability | + |
Increase safety and security conditions | + |
Increase economic viability and costs efficiency | 0 |
Stimulate local economy | 0 |
Increase environmental efficiency | 0 |
Increase energy efficiency | 0 |
European regulation text (EUR-LEX) Decision 2008/164/EC and Decision 2012/464/EU amending Decision 2008/164/EC
ERA-document with references to the applicable standards (mandatory and voluntary) used in the PRM-TSI
If the TSI-PRM tool is used in the planning phase when building or refurbishing an interchange, full accessibility for all passengers should be guaranteed. However these standards do not cover any major structural obstacles that may hamper accessibility.
The TSI-PRM tool has no cost attached to use, other than time and effort. One of the advantages of this tool is that it is available online in all EU languages.
The broader costs of using the tool can be either minor or major, depending on many variables. A cost indication of using the tool can be gains from applying the technical specification to any existing or developing plans.
The distribution of costs between the different stakeholders depends on the different responsibilities of the stakeholders, e.g. the mode-specific platforms and making them accessible can be the legal responsibility of one stakeholder (operator or infrastructure manager). General accessibility of an interchange will, in most cases, be a responsibility shared equally by the different stakeholders participating in the interchange.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html