This document must be read in conjunction with the Guideline 01: Main Document, which addresses all definitions and standards used in the set of guideline documents.

Any railway systems that are interoperable are those in which train services can be operated easily across borders with other countries without the need to change the rolling stock, including locomotives and railway cars, or the train crew. This can only be achieved through the existence of joint operational arrangements and technical standards between countries.

Therefore, when applying the strategic standards for interoperability, it will lead to better efficiency in equipment, travel times, and overall safety of the railway network.

• This document primarily focuses on the guidelines for joint work arrangements and the technical standards for traditional heavy railway systems and high-speed railways. The scope of this document excludes light rail systems such as metro, tram, and automated people movers (APMs), etc. The existing railways within this scope are:

  • 1- Heavy Railway Systems: The traditional railways for long distances and/or freight lines owned or operated by Saudi Railways "SAR".

  • 2- High-Speed Electric Railways: The Haramain High-Speed Train connecting the cities of Mecca and Medina.

  • 3- Other long-distance lines that are in the planning and construction phases.

Section 6 of this document contains a list of standards applicable to the interoperability of railways. Railways must adopt the applicable standards as well as any amendments or revisions to these standards. The authority requires that the design, construction, and operation of railways be carried out in accordance with the highest possible international standards.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held a forum titled "GCC Railway Train" to coordinate the establishment of railway networks in the GCC region. The railway network will connect all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the countries will determine the principles to be adopted for interoperability.

A general interoperability guide has been agreed upon by the countries, which specifies the technical specifications to ensure compatibility of all relevant parts of the shared railway system, meets the basic requirements, and ensures interoperability on the GCC network.
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with other member states of the council, such as the United Arab Emirates, has already adopted the technical standards of the European railway systems as well as those used by the American Railway Association. Therefore, the common technical standards to be adopted for interoperability should be based on international best practices and closely aligned with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) adopted in Europe and the standards used by the American Railway Association (AAR), as well as those adopted or approved within the scope of the technical interoperability standards of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.