The PROSPER project (Procedures for Rolling Stock Procurement with Environmental Requirements) aims at enhancing environmental performance of rolling stock significantly in the medium term. In view of that environmental specifications have to be harmonised amongst railways. This is one of the major tasks of the project.

The PROSPER project team works out a guideline to assist railways

• in setting up environmental requirements and
• evaluating tenders in respect of environmental aspects

In order to meet these aims the project analyses the current situation, harmonises the methodological approach how to set up environmental requirements and evaluate tenders and produces a guideline for environmental requirements in railway procurement.

In 2003, a two-year follow-up project PROSPER 2 starts in order to co-ordinate recommended values for the environmental performance of rolling stock. The results of  PROSPER 2  will be disseminated  as a UIC Technical Leaflet.