Electrification of the railway network in Poland after 2004.

Abstract

In the context of sustainable development and the implementation of the European Union’s transport and climate policy objectives, the development of rail transport is important. Electrification of railway lines makes it possible to increase its efficiency and reduce its impact on the environment. In Poland, after a period of decline in the importance of rail transport at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, this trend was reversed under the influence of European Union policy and the possibility of financing investments with European funds. In recent years, many railway lines have been modernised and the electrification process, which was stopped in the mid-1990s, has been resumed.

The aim of the research is to identify current factors and trends for change in the electrification of the railway network in Poland. An analysis of publicly available statistical data and information published by the infrastructure manager was carried out. The analysis covered changes in the length of electrified lines, as well as their location and significance. It also identified the railway operators managing electrified lines in Poland. The electrification discussed in the article is an important element of the process of modernisation of railway transport in Poland. It consists of both infrastructure development – expansion of electrified railway lines and rolling stock replacement. The process of further electrification of rail transport in Poland is part of a general trend emerging from EU climate policy.