The motivation for this research is rooted in the expected increase in demand for international train trips within the EU railway network, driven by policies promoting sustainable transportation solutions. Notable initiatives include the EU’s Green Deal objectives and the commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Additionally, significant investments in rail infrastructure, such as the Trans-European Transport Network, the introduction of high-speed rail for international travel, and the reduction of barriers to promote international train travel, are contributing factors. This surge in demand requires a reliable railway network and improved management of temporary capacity reductions, particularly during maintenance operations at cross-border sections. Cross-border rail transport is essential for this strategy but faces significant challenges, including technical barriers, regulatory discrepancies, and coordination inefficiencies among infrastructure managers from different countries.

Despite its importance, academic literature on cross-border maintenance strategies is notably limited or non-existent. This thesis begins by describing the current situation of railway cross-border sections to identify the main challenges and existing coordination practices. It then proceeds to analyse these challenges through expert opinions gathered via a questionnaire. By highlighting the key issues and potential solutions, this research aims to fill the gap in the literature and provide a comprehensive framework for improving cross-border railway maintenance coordination.

This thesis also develops a digital and cooperative framework (DCF) to enhance cross-border maintenance decision support within the railway system of the European Union (EU), addressing the cross-border challenges holistically. It emphasizes the introduction of digital twin technology to meet the urgent need for infrastructure digitalization and coordination between the authorities and infrastructure managers in different countries, enabling the cooperative optimisation of the capacity of railway networks. The DCF consists of three components: the establishment of a European Railway Entity, the creation of a European Railway Forum, and the implementation of digital twin (DT) technology. The European Railway Entity aims to centralize coordination, streamline decision-making, and enforce standardized regulations across member states. The European Railway Forum focuses on fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, facilitating continuous improvement in maintenance practices. The DT technology offers real-time data visualization, predictive maintenance, and advanced analytics to optimize maintenance operations and enhance infrastructure reliability, enabling an evidence-based decision-making process.

Each of the three components of the DCF is evaluated for its potential benefits and implementation challenges. The European Railway Entity can enhance the coordination and standardization of maintenance operations but may face resistance due to its hierarchical structure and potential conflicts with infrastructure managers whose national interests might be compromised for the sake of overall system performance. The European Railway Forum is cost-effective and practical, promoting voluntary data sharing and continuous improvement; however, suggestions and implementation involve complex procedures that require trust and the management of key confidential information. DT offers the greatest potential for innovation and future-readiness, but it demands a significant initial investment, robust data security measures, and the design of complex mechanisms to enable coordination between different DT platforms and protocols across countries.

The proposed DCF is discussed in two case studies. The first case study consists of a generic case of a bridge for railways between two countries focusing on the implementation and assessing potential benefits and limitations of DT as a tool of the DCF. The second case study addresses the cross-border situation in the Netherlands, proposing an implementation plan and evaluating potential advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, the Emmerich–Oberhausen maintenance project on the cross-border section between the Netherlands and Germany is analysed. This case study highlights the benefits, and challenges of implementing the proposed DCF.

In conclusion, the proposed digital and cooperative framework, integrating the European Railway Entity, the European Railway Forum, and DT technology, aims to support maintenance decisions and address the current challenges in cross-border railway maintenance. This integrated framework seeks to improve operational efficiency, increase network reliability, and support the sustainability goals of the EU, ultimately making the railway system more attractive to users.