Advancing Sustainable Interoperability Between Standard and Broad-Gauge Railway Systems

The focus of this paper is the development of a sustainable model for increasing the interoperability between 1435 mm (standard gauge) and 1520 mm (broad gauge) railway systems and fostering the development of efficient and sustainable railway networks. By merging technical, economic and environmental variables, the model aids strategic planning and enhances connectivity and efficiency of multimodal transportation. The proposed model considers important criteria, from diverse perspectives, that encompass interoperability and sustainable development of these railway systems. The significance of these criteria was evaluated using an expert survey, calculating the weights according to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and then validating them applying the PROMETHEE method. By ranking the criteria based on their significance, the model helps identify development alternatives and corresponding technological solutions for interoperable railway systems. This model establishes the basis for a methodology that secures the sustainable development of railway networks according to their technical, operational, and strategies objectives.