IF articles

Summary - Track Access Charges (TAC) represents the fees paid by operators to utilize railway infrastructure, encompassing tracks, stations, and related facilities. These charges play a crucial role in cost recovery for maintaining, expanding, and operating the railway network, while ensuring fair access for multiple operators. TAC regulations typically consider parameters, such as train mass, distance traveled, time of operation, and service type to determine charges, aiming to establish a transparent and competitive system that optimizes network use and to foster sustainability and growth. The paper undertakes a comprehensive comparative analysis of TAC across 18 European countries, delving into both qualitative and quantitative aspects of TAC regulations. It investigates on the intricate relationships between regulations and key network and capacity features. The analysis encompasses both quantitative metrics and qualitative evaluations, focusing on capacity management and network use. Furthermore, the paper provides recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the efficacy of TAC regulations.

https://www.medra.org/servlet/view?lang=it&doi=10.57597/IF.06.2024.ART.2