Rail passenger security : is it a challenge for the single European railway area?

Abstract

As a reaction to the increasing threat of terrorist attacks some European countries have proposed stricter security measures to protect their railway systems. Security is traditionally not within the competences of the European Union yet a conflict may arise between uncoordinated national measurers in the area of railway security and the common goal of achieving a Single European Railway Area. The issue of security in European railways was addressed at the 13th Florence Rail Forum. In the EU there are different national approaches and philosophies regarding both the assessment of risk and the appropriate counter measures. Yet there is a common understanding that the railway system has to have better security without sacrificing things such as the openness of railway stations and the easy accessibility of trains.