Page 253 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 5

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número 5 - junio - 2018. Pág 251 - 261

Maintenance. From asset management to direct cost calculation.

A key issue for the future of the HS Railways System.

Jiménez, Pablo Lorenzo

Zamorano, Clara Isabel

Escobar, Adrián

Escobar, Jorge

European University Madrid 1
Technical University of Madrid

Abstract
The separation between infrastructure managers and transport operations is one of
the basic principles of European railway regulations. The relationship between railway
undertakings and infrastructure managers is based, among other considerations, on the
payment of a charge for the use of the infrastructure.
The recast of the first railway package (Directive 2012/34/EU) states that “the charges
for the minimum access package and for access to infrastructure connecting service
facilities shall be set at the cost that is directly incurred as a result of operating the
train service” (Article 31.3). This is what is known as the direct cost principle, whereby
the infrastructure manager will apply a charge so that, if an additional train passes, the
charge paid by the latter will allow no losses to occur. The current formulation of the
charge is based on different parameters, among which are the number of trains-km,
speeds or train types.
To enable the establishment of these charges, infrastructure managers need to have a
comprehensive understanding of all the elements that determine the cost of operating
the infrastructure. Amongst them, maintenance costs caused by normal operation of train
services might be considered.
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss a model that could be used to improve
the implementation of the direct cost principle, in terms of maintenance costs. Firstly,
the formulation of the fees is analysed, using the Spanish case as an example. A brief
overview of railway maintenance and asset management is given below. Different studies
are then considered on the relationship between tear and wear, as well as the costs of
railway maintenance. Finally, a proposal is made for a new methodology.

Keywords: Directive Recast, Infrastructure charges, direct costs, asset management, maintenance

1 Jiménez, Pablo Lorenzo. Civil Engineering Department European University Madrid. (corresponding author). Email:
pablolorenzo.jimenez@universidadeuropea.es.
Zamorano, Clara Isabel. Technical University of Madrid. Email: clara.zamorano@upm.es
Escobar, Adrián. Technical University of Madrid. Email: adrian.escobar.pastor@alumnos.upm.es

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