This handbook synthesizes and disseminates knowledge to inform the planning, implementation, and operations of urban rail projects with a view
toward:

• Emphasizing the need for early studies and project planning
• Making projects more sustainable (economically, socially, and environmentally)
• Improving socioeconomic returns and access to opportunities for users
• Maximizing the value of private participation, where appropriate
• Building capacity within the institutions that implement and manage public projects.

SARA is a regional association of railways and some of their associates (such as customers, suppliers and other interest organizations) in Southern Africa. One of the main purposes of the organization is to promote common business interests of railways in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by establishing an efficient, safe, regionally integrated, seamless and predictable railway transport system in the region.

ARA represents all infrastructure managers and railway operators and the wider rail supply industry in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. ARA’s objective is to create a beneficial regulatory environment for the Australasian rail industry. Key tasks include the development of rail policy and programs regarding passenger and freight transport, environmental and technological standards and programs aimed at improving the productivity, capacity and overall safety of the rail industry in Australasia.

SEETO is a regional transport organization that was established in 2004 by a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the Core Regional Transport Network by the Governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia and the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and the European Commission. One important aim with regard to railways is the cooperation on the development of a railway network in the region.

RNE is an association of infrastructure managers across the EU. It aims to promote and facilitate international passenger and freight rail transport on the European rail infrastructure. It provides various tools to simplify, harmonize and optimize international rail transport. The members of RNE have set up a network of “One-Stop Shops” in each country that provide advice on international passenger and freight rail services and accept cross-border train-path applications.

OTIF is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to international rail transport It has been active since 1893 and is the oldest international organisation in the sector. It now has 50 Member States and 1 Associate Member. The Organisation has its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland, and has legal personality under international law and in the national laws of its Member States.

OTIF develops unified railway law to connect Europe, Asia and Africa for 125 years!

CER’s role is to represent the interests of its members on the EU policy-making scene, in particular to support an improved business and regulatory environment for European railway operators and railway infrastructure companies.

UIC, the worldwide professional association representing the railway sector and promoting rail transport

The Federal Railway Authority is the German supervisory, licensing and safety authority for railways and railway undertakings.

Over 2/3 of all railway undertakings in Germany are subject to supervision by the Federal Railway Authority. Some regional railways are supervised by the federal states, although in many cases the latter exercise the option of transferring this supervision to the Federal Railway Authority.

The EPSF issues the authorizations necessary for the exercise of rail activities within the French rail system. 
   
These authorizations concern all players in the rail sector, in particular railway undertakings, infrastructure managers, training organizations, applicants for vehicle authorizations, etc.