Assessment of Delay Propagation Effects Within the Framework of Track Access Charges and Performance Regimes in European Rail Networks

This study investigates the economic consequences of railway delays and their propagation, with a specific focus on the structure of Track Access Charges (TAC) and associated Performance Regimes (PR). While advanced methods exist for identifying primary delays and attributing their causes, the interplay between these delays and their economic consequences remains underexplored. To address this gap, we propose an integrated framework that links the dynamics of delay propagation to the regulatory and economic mechanisms shaped by the European Union’s railway market liberalization. In this context, pricing frameworks, specifically PRs, tie Infrastructure Managers (IMs) and Railway Undertakings (RUs) together through financial incentives and penalties aimed at enhancing punctuality and service quality. The methodology includes: (1) a comparative analysis of PR schemes across selected European countries, identifying variations in them; (2) a formalized simulation of delay propagation under defined operational and infrastructural conditions. In this framework, the chain of events is based on: (A) primary delay generation, (B) secondary delay propagation, and (C) resulting economic outcomes via bonuses or penalties. By comparing different regimes across multiple national networks, the study provides insight into how different PR structures influence both operational efficiency and financial performance. The findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the economic levers available to improve railway punctuality and the sustainability of rail services under liberalized market conditions.