The OPERATOR project supports interoperability of European rail freight transport
The OPERATOR project supports interoperability of European rail freight transport. Digitalization and interoperability are among the key prerequisites for further development of European rail freight transport. Efficient sharing of operational data among individual participants in the logistics chain makes it possible to speed up transport processes, improve the quality of services provided, and strengthen competitiveness of rail transport relative to other modes of transport. The OPERATOR project, implemented under the CEF 2 Transport program—Actions related to Smart and Interoperable Mobility—General Envelope, addresses these challenges. The project began in July 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2028.
The project is innovative primarily because it is one of the first of its kind to systematically extend the implementation of TEL TSI to the field of intermodal terminals. While in previous years TEL TSI projects focused primarily on railway infrastructure managers, railway operators, or rolling stock owners, intermodal terminal operators often remained a neglected group in terms of interoperability. OPERATOR, therefore, fills an important gap in the European rail ecosystem and brings standardized data exchange to the intermodal transport sector as well. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for a truly interconnected digital logistics chain in which all participants can communicate using uniform European standards.
The main objective of the project is to implement the requirements of TEL TSI (Telematics Applications for Freight) technical specification for interoperability into the Terminal Operation System (TOS) information systems of intermodal terminal operators. The benefits of the project extend not only to day-to-day operations of the terminals but also in the functioning of the entire rail freight transport system. Faster information exchange enables shorter logistics processes, greater flexibility of the services provided, better utilization of capacities, and the creation of optimal conditions for increasing the volume of goods transported.
The OPERATOR project not only introduces a new technical solution but also serves as a model of international cooperation, bringing together information system developers, interoperability experts, and intermodal terminal operators from the Czech Republic and Poland. The project unites organizations with many years of experience in rail transport, information technology, and day-to-day operations of intermodal terminals. It is precisely this combination of technological know-how, expertise in European legislation, and practical experience of end users that creates the conditions for developing a solution that will be applicable not only at the participating terminals but also in the broader European context.
The technological aspects of the project are being handled by OLTIS Group, CID International, and OLTIS Polska, which together form an experienced international team with many years of expertise in information systems for rail transport and logistics. The intermodal terminal operators PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL, Karpiel, and CLIP Terminals are also key partners in this collaboration. These partners provide valuable operational expertise, collaborate on requirements analysis, validate proposed solutions, and test new features in the day-to-day operations of their terminals.
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