(10/04/2024) 
The implementation of this system will strengthen the interoperability of the Ukrainian transport system with Europe and will use the capacity of the Spanish industry. The cooperation between the Spanish infrastructure manager and the Ukrainian railway company involves other activities, like accessing funds from the European Union to finance the pilot project.

The Spanish and Ukrainian railway networks have different track gauges than the rest of Europe (1,668 mm in the Spanish case and 1,520 mm in the Ukrainian case, compared to 1,435 mm in the European standard). This technically resolved challenge in passenger transport has been addressed in recent years in the area of freight, which is more complex because the rolling stock supports greater loads. In fact, currently, changing from one gauge to another requires the exchange of axles of different widths or the transfer of loads between wagons.

The agreement signed by the two companies covers wider areas of cooperation. Adif will advise Ukrainian Railways on high-speed issues and on the study and evaluation of the technical parameters of the Ukrainian network in comparison with European standards. Cooperation on power supply systems, procurement of materials for track superstructure, etc. is also planned.