1. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN Thematic network on EU-wide technical harmonisation and standardisation of light rail vehicles Client: European Commission, DG Research 5th Framework Programme, Sustainable Growth

2. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN The Consortium Co-ordinator: TransportTechnologie-Consult Karlsruhe GmbH Initiators and Head Organisations UITP and UNIFE Further main partners Atkins Denmark, Sémaly, AEA Technology Rail, Die Ingenieurwerkstatt

3. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN What is the LibeRTiN Light Rail Thematic Network? Within this Light Rail Thematic Network (TN) a group of 5 consultants plus UITP/UNIFE will work together to achieve greater harmonisation of technical standards and legislation/regulation for light rail systems (including tram-train) at the European level. In a TN the input of external experts plays a very important role. This input should be generated by participation at meetings or simply by exchanging e-mails and reading or commenting on documents. A TN is generally open for every expert who is able to contribute. Resources to cover travel cost are available. A TN is not a normal EC-research project!

4. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN General conditions LibeRTiN takes forward the AEAT/TTK-study Obstacles to Internal Market in Rail Mass Transit (OIM Report). This report is electronically available as a pdf-document (download under www.LibeRTiN.info). LibeRTiN originated from the MARIE-Initiative of UITP and UNIFE (MARIE: Mass Transit Rail Initiative for Europe, aims at harmonising the characteristics of the urban rail systems in Europe and particularly light rail systems in order to improve the competitiveness of the railway industry, reduce production costs and serve the needs of European urban transport users more effectively) LibeRTiN will give significant input to the European Railway Reseach Advisory Council (ERRAC) in the area of light rail LibeRTiN will propose new technical standards and legislation/regulation for light rail systems/components based on an iterative survey and intensive discussions with experts all over Europe.

5. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN General conditions Duration of LibeRTiN: 30 months starting from 1st September 2002 All public information is available under: www.LibeRTiN.info One of the major aims is consensus building between operators, the industry, national authorities and experts in the LRT-domain Resources for travel and carrying out specified tasks are available for external experts, from the project budget. The LibeRTiN consortium has already identified several topics which can be subject to detailed harmonisation exercises during the lifetime of the TN.

6. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN The European Standardisation Authorities (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI) will be closely involved from the beginning because any technical standards drafted by LibeRTiN will need to be introduced into their activities. The results of LibeRTiN are expected to be adopted at European level and in the longer term will strongly influence future design, development and application of light rail systems in the Enlarged European Union!

7. Light Rail Thematic Network LibeRTiN - phases of onsensus building