European Rail Operator Priorities For 2026/27

In 2026, European railways are no longer asking whether ETCS Level 2 and FRMCS are coming — they are dealing with the operational consequences of delivering them under real-world constraints. The most critical vendor solutions today are those that help operators and infrastructure managers maintain operational readiness while systems, baselines, and timelines continue to move. 

This includes tools and services that stabilise rollout rather than accelerate churn: simulation and virtual testing environments that replace on-track dependency; evidence-reuse and authorisation support that shortens approval cycles; training and competency systems that prevent skill decay during delayed go-lives; and operational tools that support degraded-mode resilience across mixed fleets and signalling environments. 

As FRMCS planning begins to overlap with active ETCS deployments, priority is shifting away from isolated technology upgrades toward integrated solutions that protect availability, support joint IM–IM-operator operations, and allow today’s investments to survive the next decade of change.

Here are some of the categories of solution providers that rail operators and infrastructure providers told us thaey would like to meet during our consultation between August and November 2025. 

TIER 1 — Immediate, Operationally Critical 

These are being driven by live ETCS Level 2 delivery pressure, rollout slippage, and operational risk.

Simulation, Virtual Lines & Lab-Based Testing Platforms

On-track testing capacity is the single biggest bottleneck in 2026. Operators are actively procuring virtual lines, labs, and ETCS simulators to keep programmes moving and reduce disruption.

Evidence Reuse & Authorisation Acceleration Solutions

Repeated authorisation is now politically and financially untenable. Tools that shorten approval cycles and package reusable evidence are being prioritised across borders.

Driver, Signaller & Control-Room Training Systems

Skill decay is a visible operational risk today. Training platforms that survive delayed go-lives and mixed signalling are high on procurement lists.

Degraded-Mode Readiness & Operational Resilience Tools

Degraded mode is where incidents happen and reputations are lost. Operators are urgently investing in rehearsal, drills, and scenario-based readiness.

ETCS Software/Certification Governance & Configuration Management 

Baseline churn is actively inflating cost and delay. Governance and configuration tools are being brought in to stabilise programmes already under strain.

Change Management, Documentation & Configuration Control Systems

Long-running programmes are formalising change control after early informal approaches fail.

Workforce Planning & Competence Sustainability Tools

Demographic pressure and long rollout cycles are forcing workforce planning into ETCS discussions.

Programme-Level Risk, Cost & Scenario Modelling Tools

Used increasingly at ministry and board level to justify funding and sequencing decisions.

Strategic Data & Digital Twins for ERTMS Lifecycle Planning

Still emerging, but gaining interest as complexity accumulates.

TIER 2 — Active, Scaling Decisions (18–36 Months)

Joint IM–Operator Operational Coordination Platforms

Organisational misalignment is now recognised as a root cause of failure. IMs and operators are actively exploring shared planning and readiness platforms.

ETCS Retrofit Integration & Onboard Architecture Optimisation

Retrofit cost and downtime are forcing operators to rethink onboard architectures before scaling further.

Mixed-Signalling & Transition Management Systems

Most networks have accepted coexistence will last longer than planned. Tools to manage mixed operation safely are moving from “nice to have” to necessary.

Cross-Border Authorisation & Corridor Coordination Solutions

Corridor reliability and freight continuity are driving investment in cross-border coordination frameworks.

Control-Room Integration & Decision-Support Systems

Control rooms are under pressure during ETCS transition. Decision-support and integration tools are increasingly justified on delay-minutes avoided alone.

TIER 3 — Strategic Protection & Future-Proofing (36+ Months, But Decisions Now)

FRMCS Readiness, Planning & Impact Assessment Solutions

Operators are commissioning studies, roadmaps, and coexistence planning to avoid stranded ETCS investments.

Telecoms Transition & GSM-R Life-Extension Support

GSM-R life extension and dual-radio strategies are being quietly prioritised behind the scenes.

Traffic Management & Timetable Resilience Tools (ERTMS-Aware)

As ETCS stabilises, attention shifts to performance recovery and resilience under new constraints.

Readiness KPIs, Dashboards & Performance Analytics

Programmes are realising they lack early-warning indicators. KPI frameworks are being developed to regain control.

Data Interoperability & Interface Management Solutions

Multi-OEM complexity is driving demand for better interface and data governance — often after painful lessons.

ATO Readiness & ETCS Behaviour Validation Tools

ATO is moving forward only where ETCS behaviour is demonstrably stable.