Track access charge in European railways: comparative approach to improve effectiveness

Track Access Charge (TAC) is a vital component of the railway financial framework, representing the fees that railway operators pay to access and use the railway infrastructure, including tracks, stations, and associated facilities. This charge is conceived to recover costs associated with maintaining, expanding, operating the railway network, while also facilitating equitable access for multiple operators. TAC regulations typically consider various factors, such as train mass, distance traveled, time of the day, type of service to determine the charges. The objective is to create a transparent and fair system that promotes competition, ensures efficient use of the railway network, and ultimately contributes to the sustainability and growth of the rail transportation sector. The present paper is part of a traditional research stream on railway transport economy. It deals with a comprehensive comparative analysis of TAC across 18 European countries. The study aims to provide an in-depth examination of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of TAC regulations, shedding light on their complex interplay with critical network and capacity variables within the railway market. The methodology is based on quantitative and qualitative parameters, classified into a) capacity management, b) infrastructure and network use. Furthermore, the paper offers a set of recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and industry leaders to address the identified challenges and improve the effectiveness of TAC regulations. These recommendations encompass the development of more sophisticated fee models to better address the structure of maintenance and renewal costs paid by the Infrastructure Managers, that TAC is supposed to recover. Their implementation requires an integrated approach, involving Infrastructure Managers and rail undertakings, the adoption of performance-based contracts, the setup of standardized regulations, the need of further research activities focused to better understanding the impacts of TAC regulations on the railway market and identify areas for enhancement of effectiveness.