European Railway Agency
Encyclopedia
The European Railway Agency (ERA) is one of the agencies of the European Union
. The decision to set up the agency was made in April 2004. The agency has two main sites, both in Nord Department, France. The headquarters with all the agency's offices is located in Valenciennes
, while international conferences and meetings take place in Lille
.
Start of full operations has commenced mid-2006. The organisation employs just over 100 members of staff. Its mandate is the creation of a competitive European railway area, by increasing cross-border compatibility of national systems, and in parallel ensuring the required level of safety.
The ERA sets standards for European railways in the form of ERA Technical Specifications for Interoperability, which apply to the Trans-European Rail network
.
Agencies of the European Union
An agency of the European Union is a decentralised body of the European Union , which are distinct from the institutions. Agencies are established to accomplish specific tasks. Each agency has its own legal personality...
. The decision to set up the agency was made in April 2004. The agency has two main sites, both in Nord Department, France. The headquarters with all the agency's offices is located in Valenciennes
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
, while international conferences and meetings take place in Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
.
Start of full operations has commenced mid-2006. The organisation employs just over 100 members of staff. Its mandate is the creation of a competitive European railway area, by increasing cross-border compatibility of national systems, and in parallel ensuring the required level of safety.
The ERA sets standards for European railways in the form of ERA Technical Specifications for Interoperability, which apply to the Trans-European Rail network
Trans-European Rail network
The Trans-European Rail network is made up of the Trans-European high-speed rail network as well as the Trans-European conventional rail network...
.