Abstract
One of the major objectives of the African Union (AU) is to develop an integrated high-speed railway network connecting major African cities for improved continental trade and competition. This paper provides an overview of the main technical aspects of high-speed railway lines with special focus on cross-border operational and technical interoperability. It briefly describes the missing link in realizing a truly interoperable high-speed railway network for the African case. It introduces the technical aspects of railway lines that must be unified for cross-border operation. It also outlines the reasons that may explain the global success of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), offering the author’s view on factors that continue to influence decision making in favor of ERTMS over other national and not interoperable solutions such as the Chinese Train Control System (CTCS). The paper concludes by suggesting the way forward for combined continental effort to realize the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Lines Network as part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Highlights
The African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network is a flagship project spearheaded by the African Union as part of the continental Agenda 2063 [1]
The viability, reliability and sustainability of this project will largely depend on the extent to which its development is linked to the planning, construction and operation of new or existing national and regional railway lines, electric power supply and communication infrastructure facilities [2]
The lack of common rules on technical standards of construction and operation in Africa poses a major obstacle to the development of an integrated high-speed railway lines network as part of the African
Summary
The African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network is a flagship project spearheaded by the African Union as part of the continental Agenda 2063 [1]. The main objective is to connect Africa’s capital cities and major commercial hubs with an interoperable high-speed railway lines network to boost continental trade and competition. The conventional railways in Africa operate on different features with regard to these technical aspects. Upgrading these railway lines for an integrated high-speed operation requires the standardization of these technical aspects.
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