The Train Information System – The Digital Nerve Center of International Rail Traffic

Key Takeaways

• TIS is RailNetEurope’s central platform for real-time tracking of international train movements across Europe.
• It consolidates data from 24 countries, supporting railway operators and terminals in cross-border planning and analysis.
• This digital infrastructure handles massive data volumes, harmonizes quality differences, and merges national train runs into seamless international connections.
• With over 12 million train journeys annually, TIS sets a forward-looking benchmark for digital interoperability in rail transport.

In an increasingly connected world, smooth and efficient international rail operations are more important than ever. RailNetEurope (RNE) is an alliance of European rail infrastructure managers dedicated to making cross-border rail transport—especially freight—more efficient, transparent, and predictable.

With the Train Information System (TIS) developed by Evolit, RNE has established a key technology that optimizes the exchange of real-time train data across Europe. With 26 European rail operators in 24 countries, 99.6% availability, and over 5,300 active users per month, TIS has become a true success story.

Project Overview: What is TIS?

TIS is a web-based application that enables both international and national railway companies, as well as terminals, to track train movements in real time. The system facilitates cross-border information exchange for passenger and freight trains across European rail networks. By synchronizing with tools like RIS, TIS offers an uninterrupted view of train journeys from origin to destination.

• Processing large-scale datasets in real time
• Handling varying data quality from multiple national sources
• High system availability paired with user-friendly web & mobile interfaces
• Linking individual national train segments into consistent international runs

The Challenge: Digitalization in a Hyperconnected Environment

How digital is Europe’s rail network, really? With more than 12 million trains per year, countless infrastructure operators, and a multitude of national systems, the need for a central, interoperable platform is clear. TIS fills exactly this role—while tackling some of the biggest digitalization challenges in the rail sector.

User-Centric Development: Feedback as a Driver of Innovation

One of the keys to success has been the continuous involvement of the TIS community. In a survey, 470 users were asked for their input. The results speak for themselves:

• 92.8% consider TIS a business-critical tool
• 79.7% use it daily or weekly
• 90% would recommend it to others

This valuable feedback directly influenced the platform’s evolution: new filtering options, improved map views, a fully responsive UI, and a progressive web app for mobile devices have already been implemented.

Technology Meets Standardization

TIS is not only high-performing, but also exemplary in meeting European standards. Fully compliant with TAF/TAP TSI, it sets the benchmark for interoperable rail solutions. Its architecture is built for scalability, enabling it to process around 840,000 train journeys per month.

Strategic Benefit: Greater Transparency Across the Rail Network

By tracking international trains in real time along predefined corridors, TIS enhances transparency for all stakeholders. Delays, incidents, and cross-border process gaps can be identified earlier and addressed more effectively. This makes TIS a cornerstone of Europe’s digital rail infrastructure for both freight and passenger transport.

ETA for International Trains

In collaboration with EvolX, Evolit is developing a network-wide ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) prediction system for international freight trains. Using machine learning, historical timetable data, live position reports, and infrastructure information are intelligently combined to calculate reliable arrival times—with a prediction accuracy exceeding 95%.