Stefan Marschnig, University of Technology Graz

“Join industry leaders at the TAC Summit 2016 to discuss Track Access Charges “

Stefan Marschnig, Graz University of Technology

Register Now

Conference Programme TAC Summit 2016

The 3rd conference on Track Access Charges (TAC Summit 2016) will take place on 12 April 2016 at the SBB Headquarters in Bern, Switzerland. It is being organised by Graz University of Technology and Europoint.

The starting point for the conference program are the latest EU directives and implementing regulations for Track Access Charges aim to reduce the costs of railway operations by stimulating track-friendly rolling stock and to harmonize TAC’s throughout Europe.

At the TAC Summit 2016 industry leaders will discuss TACs in great detail, and will highlight the different points of views of infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, and vehicle producers.  You will learn more about the new directives using the SBB Swiss Wear Factor as real-life example. Expert speakers from organisations including CER, European Commission, SBB, Deutsche Bahn, Bombardier, University Leeds and TU Graz of will present their views and solutions.

Conference Programme

The Track Access Charges Summit offers a unique podium to discuss best practices, latest regulations, cost calculation methods and to share experience related to Track Access Charges.

Graz University of Technology has carefully created the following programme:

Chairman of the day: Stefan Marschnig, Assistant Professor – Graz University of Technology

Session 1: Wear based vehicle charging

This session will answer the following questions:

  • How will Switzerland change TAC’s in 2017?
  • Why should track asset managers support wear-based, vehicle-specific charges?
  • How can asset managers use knowledge of track deterioration models for their daily business?
  • CHStefan Sommer, Head of Track – SBB
    Welcome and introduction
  • ATKeynote: Stefan Marschnig, Assistent Professor – Graz University of Technology
    Costs directly incurred by a train run
  • CHMarkus Giger, Head of Section – Federal Office of Transport, Section Rail Network
    The new Track Access Charging scheme in Switzerland
    Read abstract
  • CHJochen Holzfeind, Head of Asset Management Track – SBB
    Wear factor – From the railway track’s point of view
    Read abstract

Session 2: Wear based vehicle charging

This session will answer the following questions:

  • How will the wear factor influence future vehicle concepts?
  • How will the wear-factor support train operating companies to purchase track-friendly vehicles?
  • Why do we need an integral methodology for assessing the cost impact of innovative vehicle technology? What part do TACs play in such a methodology?
  • CHStephan Schenk, Head of Contracts & Train Path Sales – SBB
    Wear factor – How to charge it
    Read abstract
  • CHRichard Schneider, Vice President R&D- Bombardier Transportation
    Wear factor – From the vehicle’s producer’s point
    Read abstract
  • ATAlfred Pitnik, Head of International Affairs – Rail Cargo Group
    Wear factor – From the railway undertakers point of view
    Read abstract
  • ESJuan Melendez, Director of Transport and Energy Division, CEIT
    ROLL2RAIL Running Gear – Opportunities for reduction of the railway system costs
    Read abstract

Session 3: Assessing direct costs

This session will answer the following questions:

  • What is the basic idea of direct cost / marginal cost based charging? Why there is discussion all over Europe on what cost positions might be included in the direct costs?
  • How were direct cost evaluated in France?
  • Between direct and full cost: how much money does the infrastructure manager need?
  • BEFrank Jost, Policy Officer – European Commission
    The direct costs of infrastructure use
    Read abstract
  • FRMiguel Amaral, Head of Regulation of Rail Infrastructure Managers Unit – French Railway Regulatory Body (ARAF)
    Direct cost calculation in France
    Read abstract
  • LVJustina Hudenko, CFO – LatRailNet
    How much money is needed?
    Read abstract

Session 4: Establishing mark-ups – sharing experiences

This session will answer the following questions:

  • If mark-ups are needed – how should they be calculated?
  • How did DB Netz established mark-ups for different market segments?
  • Will TACs be harmonised and transparent in 2019 or – still – disperse and irreproducible throughout the European Union?
  • GBChris Nash, Research Professor – University of Leeds
    Setting economically efficient mark-ups
    Read abstract
  • DEWolfram Merzyn, Senior Project Manager train path pricing system – DB Netz AG
    Establishing mark-ups requested
    Read abstract
  • BEStefan Tobias, Senior Economist  – Community of European Railways (CER)
    Do we need transparency and harmonisation of TAC?
    Read abstract
  • ATStefan Marschnig, Assistent Professor – Graz University of Technology
    Summary and Outlook

Register Now

Participate in the Track Access Charges Summit

Frank Jost - circle

Infrastructure managers in the EU have been obliged to set infrastructure charges at the costs directly incurred by the train service.

Frank Jost
European Commission

At the TAC Summit 2016 industry leaders will discuss TACs in great detail, and will highlight the different points of views of infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, and vehicle producers. As previous Track Access Charges conferences in 2011 and 2013 have shown, it is worth making the effort to debate this topic at a European, system-wide level.

Register Now

Meet the experts

Stefan Sommer, Head of Track - SBB
Wolfram Merzyn, Senior Project Manager train path pricing system - DB Netz AG
Chris Nash, Research Professor – University of Leeds
Justina Hudenko, CFO – LATRAILNET
Miguel Amaral, Head of Regulation of Rail Infrastructure Managers Unit – French Railway Regulatory Body (ARAF)
Juan Melendez, Director of Transport and Energy Division, CEIT
Alfred Pitnik, Head of International Affairs – Rail Cargo
Richard Schneider, Vice President R&D - Bombardier Transportation
Stephan Schenk, Head of Contracts & Train Path Sales - SBB
Jochen Holzfeind, Head of Asset Management Track - SBB
Markus Giger, Head of Section - Federal Office of Transport, Section Rail Network
Frank Jost, Policy Officer – European Commission
Stefan Tobias – Senior Economist, Community of European Railways (CER)
Stefan Marschnig, Assistant Professor - Graz University of Technology

Meet over 14 experts speakers who will share their knowledge and experience at the Track Access Charges Summit 2016.

Partners TAC 2016

Partners:

ProMedia Europoint
Technical University of Graz

Official Media Partner:

Railway Gazette

Supporting Media Partners:

RZD-Partner
ViaLibre
Spoorpro.nl