Progress towards a unified, high-performing European railway is moving in the right direction but remains uneven and too slow, according to a report from global consultancy Ramboll.
The European Rail Atlas assesses rail systems across 28 countries, including EU member states, the UK, Norway and Switzerland, highlighting significant disparities in investment, performance and long-term planning.
Drawing on publicly available data, the report evaluates rail networks across eight key areas: national relevance, operational performance, safety, market competition, infrastructure funding and use, workforce and automation, digital signalling deployment and sustainability.
Its central conclusion is clear: while ambition exists across Europe, delivery remains inconsistent.
Friedemann Brockmeyer, Global Head of Transport, Infrastructure and Mobility at Ramboll, said: “The Atlas makes one message unmistakably clear: ambition alone is not enough. Countries that have invested consistently and planned beyond political cycles achieve the most seamless, reliable and integrated networks.”
Investment gaps and uneven performance
One of the report’s most striking findings is the scale of variation in infrastructure investment. Spending per capita differs by a factor of 38 between the highest and lowest investing countries, contributing to significant performance gaps across the continent.
These disparities are reflected in network quality, reliability and capacity, with some countries delivering highly integrated systems while others continue to face structural challenges.
The report also highlights slow progress in deploying the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), the digital signalling standard designed to improve interoperability and capacity across borders. Delays in rollout are limiting the development of a more connected European network.
Safety and sustainability disparities
Regional differences are also evident in safety performance. Western European countries generally report stronger safety records, while parts of Eastern Europe continue to rely on passive level crossings, which remain a leading cause of rail-related fatalities.
Sustainability outcomes are similarly uneven. Variations in electrification rates, driven by national energy policies, are creating significant differences in emissions across rail networks. While rail remains one of the lowest-carbon transport modes, the report suggests further alignment between energy and transport strategies is needed to maximise its environmental benefits.
Workforce pressures emerging
Alongside infrastructure and performance challenges, the Atlas identifies a growing workforce issue. Europe’s rail sector is facing an ageing workforce, increasing competition for engineering and digital skills, and a persistent lack of diversity, with women making up just 24% of employees on average.
These pressures risk constraining future growth and innovation unless addressed through targeted recruitment, reskilling and workforce development initiatives.
Policy priorities for a unified rail system
Ramboll’s analysis points to several priority actions to accelerate progress. Chief among them is the introduction of binding, multi-year investment frameworks to provide long-term certainty and reduce the impact of short political cycles on infrastructure planning.
The report also calls for faster deployment of ERTMS on key corridors, stronger policies to encourage modal shift from road to rail, and closer alignment between transport and energy strategies to support decarbonisation.
In parallel, it highlights the need for coordinated action to address workforce challenges, including expanding training programmes and improving gender diversity across the sector.
Overall, the European Rail Atlas presents a mixed picture: clear momentum in some areas, but a fragmented landscape that continues to limit the full potential of a truly integrated European railway.
