The Brabant railway is vulnerable and ill-prepared for the growth of military transport. This is evident from a new report from the Consultative Body for the Physical Environment (OFL). One of the two Dutch NATO transit routes runs straight through Brabant, via cities such as Breda, Tilburg and Eindhoven. An increase in military trains could have major consequences for regular train traffic. “One military train can completely paralyze regular transport for three hours,” the report warns.
According to the OFL, the situation is urgent. The Netherlands must be able to deal with more military traffic on the railways, because international threats are constantly increasing. But the current infrastructure is inadequate. Without adjustments, there is a risk of significant disruption to passenger and freight transport.
For years, the focus in the railways was mainly on efficiency, punctuality and cost savings. Everything to ensure smooth passenger and freight transport. But the biggest challenges now lie elsewhere. No longer during disruptions or bad weather, but with the increasing demand for military transport and the risks of sabotage.
Large-scale transport in Brabant
As a NATO member state, the Netherlands must be able to quickly carry out large-scale military transports. To this end, a number of railway routes have been designated for NATO transport abroad: the Betuwe Route, the railway between Arnhem and Bad-Bentheim and the route from Vlissingen to Venlo, which runs straight through the Brabant city centers of Roosendaal, Breda, Tilburg, Eindhoven and Helmond.
Currently, military trains travel along the track infrequently, usually at night, when the route is clear. But if demand increases further, this will no longer be sustainable. “A single military train can completely paralyze regular passenger and freight transport for up to three hours,” the OFL writes. “When more military trains have to run during the day, civilian rail transport comes to a standstill.”
The consequences would be significant: companies will not receive their raw materials on time and travelers can no longer rely on their timetables.
In addition, there are few places in the Netherlands where military equipment can be safely loaded and unloaded. Because these trains often carry heavy, large freight with different shapes, the trains often cannot travel fast. This will only increase delays for passenger trains.
Vulnerable to sabotage
The railway is also more vulnerable to cyber attacks and sabotage. Such threats have recently become a bitter reality, according to the report’s authors.
“All critical infrastructure is vulnerable to cyber and physical attacks,” Mariëlle Stoelinga, professor of risk management and high-tech systems at the University of Twente, previously warned Omroep Brabant. “We really have to take this seriously.”
The military function in particular makes the route that crosses major Brabant cities extra sensitive. And, she emphasizes, no digital system is unhackable. “It’s not a question of if it will happen, but when and how bad it will get.” The report also contains this warning: “Waiting is not an option.”
The vulnerability of infrastructure around the track is also a concern, the OFL says. Critical points are spread throughout the country and are often easily accessible.
According to the advisory body, the Netherlands must better protect itself against sabotage and cyber threats. ProRail must be ready to intervene quickly if things go wrong, rail security must be increased and capacity must be significantly expanded. All this comes with a hefty price tag: around six hundred million euros are needed to make the railways throughout the country future-proof.
