Our railroads are vulnerable and cannot handle the growing military transport without a major impact on civilian transport. Additional measures are therefore necessary, also because of our NATO obligations. This emerges from an impact analysis by Christophe van der Maat, chairman of the Consultative Body for the Physical Living Environment (OFL) and the Resilience Table, commissioned by State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Public Transport and Environment). Substantial investments are needed to solve bottlenecks in the physical infrastructure. To begin with, it is recommended that at least 600 million euros be invested in the physical infrastructure and improving security systems and business processes.
Increasing geopolitical tensions and growing cyber threats are putting pressure on the security of our critical infrastructure. Recent incidents in Europe show that the threats are real. The Netherlands must quickly strengthen its resilience to prevent social and economic damage. A strong, well-connected and protected railroad is essential in this regard. This is why State Secretary Aartsen, together with ProRail, asked the OFL to analyze the vulnerability of our railroad system. It was the first study from the Resilience Table established this year.
In the advisory report - "Time to act" - Van der Maat mainly concludes that the rail system has for years been set up for efficiency and punctuality, but is insufficiently prepared for sabotage and cyber attacks. Current policy assumes occasional, non-intentional breakdowns due to bad weather, for example. That premise, however, is a thing of the past. Today's reality calls for a new premise: a rail system that is not only efficient and punctual, but above all robust and resilient to hybrid threats.
The Netherlands also cannot adequately fulfill its NATO obligations for military transport. One very wide military train, which requires the adjacent track to remain clear, can shut down regular traffic on a given track for up to three hours. With several military trains per day, civilian rail traffic comes to a virtual standstill, with major consequences for the economy and society. Current capacity is too limited to accommodate the expected growth in military traffic.
According to Van der Maat, acting now is necessary. Delay increases our vulnerability. Strengthening security and defense also provides an opportunity to structurally strengthen the railroads. For this, additional investments are unavoidable. Van der Maat recommends a starting package of at least €600 million for three types of measures:
Increase security: better access management, smart detection systems, monitoring of digital systems and additional anti-drone measures at critical locations.
Strengthen continuity: mobile emergency systems for rapid resumption of train traffic, more spare parts, sufficient recovery capacity and preparedness plans for large-scale incidents.
Increasing military capacity: more shunting space in port areas, longer tracks for 740-meter trains, removal of obstacles along the tracks and more efficient border crossings.
Christophe van der Maat, president OFL: "The hybrid threats Europe faces are not going to disappear for the time being. It is not whether but when we will have to deal with sabotage to our vital infrastructure. Threats are only becoming more complex and impactful. So waiting is not an option. That is why our appeal is crystal clear: invest now in the resilience and military mobility of the railroads. Because a society that lets its railroads stand still also puts its security and freedom at risk."
State Secretary Aartsen endorses the advisory report: "The world around us is changing at lightning speed, and that calls for action. A strong, well-connected and safe railroad is essential for our national and international security. This requires investments in security, recovery capability and military transport capacity. Both industry and government must work together and take steps now. This may mean travelers will sometimes take a little longer, but in today's geopolitical climate, we have no time to waste. With a strong and resilient railroad, we increase our safety, availability and reliability. Resilience is not just a job for Defense, it is a joint responsibility of all of us."
Many measures strengthen not only military capabilities, but also our society and economy. Thus, the knife cuts both ways. Investments in longer trains, more shunting capacity and greater reliability also benefit regular freight and passenger transportation.
John Voppen (CEO ProRail): "The railroads are strategically incredibly important. That's why we need to focus on increasing its resilience. Especially now that there is a threat and we need to be able to respond quickly. Think about transports, but also about securing and quickly repairing damage. And a robust railroad is also immediately relevant for passenger and freight trains."
In his letter to the House, Aartsen writes that, despite the Cabinet's outgoing status, he will take up many of the OFL's recommendations immediately, together with ProRail and carriers. For example, he wants to ensure priority for defense on the railroads, and that trains do not stop at the border due to paperwork. His ministry will also work with Defense and ProRail to simulate military transports in order to find and improve bottlenecks. Furthermore, a joint resilience strategy is being developed with ProRail, making the railroads more resilient to hybrid threats.
It will be up to a subsequent cabinet to make final choices about the €600 million start-up budget. Early next year, the Chamber will be informed about how the recommendations have been followed up.
