The infrastructure of the trans-European high-speed rail system shall be that of the lines of the trans-European transport network identified in Decision No.1692/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network22 or listed in any update of that Decision as a result of the revision provided for in Article 21 of that Decision.

• The high-speed lines shall comprise—

  • specially built high-speed lines equipped for speeds generally equal to or greater than 250 km/h,

  • specially upgraded high-speed lines equipped for speeds of the order of 200 km/h,

  • specially upgraded high-speed lines which have special features as a result of topographical, relief or town-planning constraints, on which the speed must be adapted to each case.

• This infrastructure includes traffic management, tracking and navigation systems: technical installations for data processing and telecommunications intended for passenger services on these lines in order to guarantee the safe and harmonious operation of the network and efficient traffic management.

The rolling stock referred to in this Directive shall comprise trains designed to operate—

• either at speeds of at least 250 km/h on lines specially built for high speeds, while enabling operation at speeds exceeding 300 km/h in appropriate circumstances,

• or at speeds of the order of 200 km/h on the lines of section 1, where compatible with the performance levels of these lines.

The quality of rail services in Europe depends, inter alia, on excellent compatibility between the characteristics of the infrastructure (in the broadest sense, ie the fixed parts of all the subsystems concerned) and those of the rolling stock (including the onboard components of all the subsystems concerned).