Serbia Railway Sector Modernization

active

Prospective

Phase 1 will focus on upgrading existing rail infrastructure and establishing the enabling environment for further corporatization of the railway companies and operationalization of sector reforms. This will be achieved through implementation of the following three components: 1. Component 1. Infrastructure Investments and Asset Management (US$ 107.5)2. Component 2. Institutional Strengthening and Project Management (US$ 10.14)3. Component 3. Railway Modernization Enablers (US$ 7.2)Component 1: Infrastructure Investments and Asset Management This component focuses on improving the quality and safety of railway infrastructure and enhancing rail asset management practices. The quality of the railway network will be improved through targeted renewal interventions and preparation of technical documentation for the investments in next phases of the Program. Railway safety will be improved through track renewal and also through upgrading of railway crossings throughout Serbia. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the GoS’s ambitious railway investment plan and to provide for systematic, transparent, and objective planning of investments in infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation, the component will finance the introduction Asset Management Systems (including the capability to carry out LCC analyses). Accordingly, the component will be implemented through the following subcomponents: (1) Reliable and Safe Railway Infrastructure, (2) Technical Documentation, and (3) Asset Management. Accordingly, the component will be implemented through the following subcomponents:(i) Subcomponent 1.1 Reliable and Safe Railway Infrastructure (US$ 96.5): This subcomponent will support IZS in carrying out a program of track renewal and safety interventions to restore service performance. The specific sections and components in each track segment have been selected from the National Program based on strategic importance, LCC analysis, and readiness for implementation. The investments will include renewal of critically important lines and tunnels in Belgrade city center, construction of the second stage of the main railway station in Belgrade center, improvement of about 150 railway level crossings around the country, and establishment of the Level Crossing Safety Improvement Program. In addition, this subcomponent will finance the installation of four wayside measurement stations to monitor the condition of rolling stock, provide data to predict and prevent future failures, and help to identify maintenance needs proactively. (ii) Subcomponent 1.2 Technical Documentation (US$ 3.8 million): This subcomponent will support preparatory technical work to ensure the readiness of the infrastructure investment pipeline for subsequent phases of the MPA, and, as such, increase the absorption capacity of IZS. Activities to be financed will include feasibility studies and/or preliminary designs, detailed designs, environmental management plans and environmental impact assessments, and resettlement plans if needed. (iii) Subcomponent 1.3 Asset Management (US$ 7.6 million): This subcomponent will support the adoption of specialized Railway Infrastructure Asset Management System encompassing the functionalities of the LCC analysis, cost-benefit, Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety (RAMS) as IZS’s standard tool for planning and decision making for financing activities. Additionally, this subcomponent will include technical assistance to develop Railway Infrastructure Implementation Plans aiming at rationalizing the scheduling of railway improvements in such a way as to minimize delays and uncertainties for cargo and passenger operations as works are implemented. Other investments included are the acquisition of the maintenance machinery for IZS to carry out critical repairs of track infrastructure and for SV to refurbish exis ting passenger train.Component 2: Institutional Strengthening and Project Management (US$ 10.14 million)The component focuses on strengthening rail policies and institutions to deepen and sustain recent reforms. The activities will support GoS’s effort in continuing the sectoral reforms through institutional capacity building and the introduction of modern management systems and approaches, especially those that will promote more efficient, transparent, customer-responsive and commercially oriented ways of operating. To this end, the component will finance the following subcomponents: (i) Subcomponent 2.1 Sectoral Governance (US$ 4.74 million): This subcomponent will provide a mix of technical assistance and investments to strengthen the governance of the key railway agencies and improve their efficiency and results. Special focus will be on empowering RD to fulfill its role as a main driver of railway sector modernization. Furthermore, this subcomponent will provide support to IZS, SC and SV to adopt commercially oriented, independent management and modernize their outdated internal structures and systems through wider adoption of ICT technologies and introduction of business support systems, asset management systems, financial reporting systems, and document management systems. The subcomponent will assist in completing the network of contractual relationships between railway companies (“joined-up environment”) by developing and implementing a “statement of requirements.” (ii) Subcomponent 2.2 Human Capital (US$ 2.6 million): This subcomponent will finance a mix of technical assistance and capacity building activities to establish mechanisms and frameworks for long term development of human resources and knowledge sharing in the sector. The goal is to develop capacities and a pipeline of skilled staff in IZS, SC, and SV to increase the rate of investments, modernize operations, improve asset management, operate services that appeal to the market, and increase IT adoption, and to raise a profile of rail profession in academia by creating a first female cohort of researchers teaching subjects related to rail in the country. To ensure sustainability and reach of human capital development, the interventions will extend beyond internal measures with a focus on the three key areas: (i) development and implementation of robust HR systems, HR strategies, and knowledge curricula with corresponding Gender Action Plans (GAPs) in each company; (ii) design of educational, training and retraining programs in cooperation with vocational schools and universities; and (iii) establishment of railway PhD program for women. (iii) Subcomponent 2.3. Project Management and Citizen Engagement (US$ 2.8 million): This subcomponent is designed to provide strong project management and ensure transparency and accountability of the project’s interventions and results. It will finance: (i) staff and technical support for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in the MCTI and the Project Implementation Teams (PITs) in RD, IZS, SC, and SV; (ii) training and knowledge exchange; (iii) communication and citizen engagement activities; (iv) Infrastructure works management plans; (v) office equipment; and (vi) operating costs. Collection of user feedback about railway services will be done through public and multi-stakeholder consultations and gender disaggregated citizen engagement surveys. Component 3: Railway Modernization Enablers (US$ 7.2 million)This component will finance measures to protect the vulnerable and poor and strengthen sectoral enablers for sustainable business growth and job creation. The focus will be on utilization of inf ormation technologies in railway transport, which is currently still in its infancy, and on deepening knowledge of market potentials and developing strategies for attracting unconventional users. Through a mix of technical assistance and pilot investments, the following three enabling elements will be supported: (i) Subcomponent 3.1 Intelligent Railway Systems and SMS (U

FY17 - Transportation

World Bank

Project

Mass Transit, Road, Rail, Commercial, Government, Education, Residential