Europe's densest train network needs an update
14 August 2024
Czechia has the densest and most elaborate railway network in Europe due to a longstanding train tradition. Even though train transport here is thriving, accidents have increased in the last couple of years, intensifying calls for a better safety system. The Railway Inspectorate's annual reports state that three emergencies happen every day in Czechia, including rail suicide attempts. In a year, over 200 people lose their lives, and the same number end up injured. Human error is often to blame.
Starting in January next year, the single European Train Control System (ETCS) will be implemented on selected railway lines. It should be able to detect when two trains run against each other on the same track and stop them remotely, preventing tragic accidents. The ETCS is a new mandatory measure from the EU that aims to unify railway security across European countries, and the system will undergo a major test in Czechia this year.
 | Eliška Drobná In addition to safety improvements, Czech railways are facing another groundbreaking modernisation. Within eight years, the direct connection from Prague to Munich should be completed, cutting travel time from seven hours to almost half. In the future, trains are likely to become the primary means of transport around Europe, with more countries connected by high-speed trains. France now holds the lead in investment in a high-speed rail network, having so far built international lines to Belgium, the UK, Germany, and Spain. Czechia is cooperating with the French rail industry to help modernise domestic rails, hoping to accommodate trains running up to 350 kilometres per hour. |
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