November 2025: New Standards Transform Hydrogen Safety, Accessibility, and User Experience in Rail Engineering

November 2025 marks a pivotal month for the railway engineering sector, as five major international standards have been published—dramatically advancing the safety, sustainability, and usability of rail transport systems. Covering innovations in hydrogen fuel cell technology, driver's cab interface ergonomics, and state-of-the-art passenger safety solutions, these standards aim to critically enhance both rolling stock and station infrastructure for the next generation of rail services.

This update is essential for railway professionals, engineers, compliance managers, and system integrators seeking to maintain competitive, sustainable, and fully compliant rail operations. From high-speed trains to regional trams, these standards reshape not only technical requirements but also everyday rail practices.

Overview / Introduction

Railway engineering is at the forefront of transformational change, as the industry addresses escalating demands for climate resilience, passenger safety, energy efficiency, and seamless user experience. Standards in this field serve as the backbone for harmonized practices, setting rigorous requirements for system integrity, safe operation, and interoperability across international rail networks.

This special edition delves into the five most influential railway engineering standards published in November 2025:

• Hydrogen fuel cell power and fuel systems for rolling stock
• Ergonomic and accessible displays for tram driver cabs
• Comprehensive requirements for platform barrier systems

Readers will gain deep technical insights, practical compliance tips, and a forward-looking perspective on how these standards can be leveraged for operational excellence and sustainable rail innovation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN IEC 63341-1:2025 – Fuel Cell Power Systems for Rolling Stock

Railway applications – Hydrogen and fuel cell systems for rolling stock – Part 1: Fuel cell power system

EN IEC 63341-1:2025 defines the critical requirements for the design, integration, and validation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power systems onboard rolling stock. Targeting traction power and auxiliary supplies for diverse train types—including metros, commuter trains, trams, and high-speed trains—it frames the interface and safety boundaries of onboard hydrogen fuel cell modules.

Scope & Requirements

• Performance Sizing: Specifies load profile validation and sizing requirements to tailor fuel cell systems to specific service routes.
• Interface Management: Details fluidic, electrical, thermal, and mechanical interface requirements for robust integration.
• Environmental Endurance: Accounts for variation in ambient temperature, tunnel use, high-altitude operation, and rooftop installations.
• Safety and Protection: Outlines hydrogen risk management, fire resistance, electric shock protections, and comprehensive hazard analysis.
• Testing: Details exhaustive testing procedures—including hydrogen leakage, flammability, acoustic emissions, EMC, and endurance.
• Maintenance: Defines procedures for storage, transportation, installation, and service accessibility.

Intended Users

• Rolling stock manufacturers and integrators
• System design teams and safety engineers
• Railway operators transitioning to hydrogen propulsion

Practical Implications

This standard underpins the industry transition to low-emission traction, ensuring hydrogen technology can be safely and efficiently adopted in new and retrofitted vehicles. Compliance is crucial for procurement contracts, system certifications, and regulatory approval.

Key highlights:

• Sizing methodology for real-world operational profiles
• Hazard identification, hydrogen release, and fire safety requirements
• End-to-end test requirements for conformance and reliability

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 63341-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 16186-7:2025 – Design of Displays for Tram Vehicles

Railway applications – Driver's cab – Part 7: Design of displays for tram vehicles

EN 16186-7:2025 sets out comprehensive design rules and assessment criteria for information displays and user interfaces in the driver’s cab of tram vehicles. Ergonomics, legibility, human factors, and harmonized graphical symbols are emphasized to enhance both safety and operational efficiency.

Scope & Requirements

• Legibility & Intelligibility: Mandates minimum font sizes, symbol clarity, luminance, and display uniformity for all critical information.
• Consistent UI Principles: Requires harmonized colors, layout zones, dialogue structures, and command interfaces (e.g., touchscreen or physical buttons).
• Human Factors Integration: Focuses on feedback mechanisms, reaction times, and reducing information overload under normal and degraded operating modes.
• Audible and Multilingual Information: Standardizes the use and arrangement of audible alarms, language selection, and real-time feedback.

Target Audience

• Tram OEMs and cab integrators
• Human-machine interface (HMI) designers
• Validators, assessors, and tram operators

Practical Implications

Implementing this standard supports operator mental workload reduction, improved situational awareness, and minimized training needs. Harmonization is also crucial for pan-European tram operations and procurement.

Key highlights:

• Layout and organization of critical information areas
• Standardized symbols, color coding, and font use
• Requirements for button size, tactile feedback, and prevention of unintentional activation

Access the full standard:View EN 16186-7:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 18298:2025 – Platform Barrier Systems for Passenger Safety

Railway applications – Platform barrier systems

ISO 18298:2025 establishes the requirements for the design, construction, and operation of platform barrier systems at passenger boarding points. The standard seeks to minimize risk from accidental track incursions, enhance crowd control in busy stations, and ensure alignment between train and platform doors.

Scope & Requirements

• Physical Design: Covers fixed structure requirements, emergency and driver’s doors, platform extremity doors, and methods to prevent entrapment.
• Integration: Ensures synchronization between vehicle and platform barrier doors, and mandates audible/visible alerts.
• Control and Safety: Addresses system integrity (including earthing, bonding, and EMC), and comprehensive operational testing.
• Accessibility: Requires design for persons with reduced mobility and mitigation of tripping hazards.
• Testing: Details type, routine, and integration tests (including functional and system-level tests with other rail subsystems).

Stakeholders

• Rail infrastructure owners and operators
• System designers and architectural teams
• Rolling stock and platform interface engineers

Practical Implications

Adopting this standard directly reduces passenger incidents, improves operational reliability, and aligns with urban transport authorities’ push for platform safety.

Key highlights:

• Full-lifecycle requirements—from installation to operations and maintenance
• Interface management with signalling and vehicle systems
• Rigorous functional and integration testing protocols

Access the full standard:View ISO 18298:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 63341-2:2025 – Hydrogen Fuel Systems for Rolling Stock

Railway applications – Hydrogen and fuel cell systems for rolling stock – Part 2: Hydrogen fuel system

IEC 63341-2:2025 addresses the on-board hydrogen fuel system (HFS) used to supply hydrogen, in gaseous form, to fuel cell power systems on railway vehicles. It focuses on the system’s integration, safety, and reliability throughout its life cycle, from refueling through operation and maintenance.

Scope & Requirements

• Fuel Storage & Supply: Defines design and pressure parameters for safe gaseous hydrogen storage modules, fuel handling, and delivery lines.
• Interface Descriptions: Specifies mechanical, electrical, and fluidic interfaces between HFS, rolling stock, and fueling infrastructure (fuelling station interfaces are out of scope).
• Environmental Robustness: Sets out performance criteria for temperature, humidity, and vibration—addressing the challenges of real-world railway environments.
• Safety and Hazard Management: Details comprehensive requirements for hazard identification, explosive atmosphere management, fire safety, and emergency venting.
• Testing & Validation: Details rigorous type, routine, and investigation tests for acceptance, including mechanical, electrical, and hydrogen testing protocols.

Implementation Audience

• Hydrogen propulsion integrators and system designers
• Rolling stock maintainers
• Certification bodies overseeing hydrogen compliance

Practical Implications

This standard enables safe, reliable hydrogen deployment in new and refurbished trains, supporting regulatory compliance and de-risking investment in zero-emission rail technology.

Key highlights:

• Design and validation of compressed hydrogen storage modules
• EMC, shock, and vibration requirements for all system components
• Mandatory safety devices, fire protection, and leak management

Access the full standard:View IEC 63341-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

[Duplicate] IEC 63341-2:2025 – Hydrogen Fuel Systems for Rolling Stock

Railway applications – Hydrogen and fuel cell systems for rolling stock – Part 2: Hydrogen fuel system

Note: This is a duplicate publication record for IEC 63341-2:2025. All application-specific details, technical requirements, and practical implications are described in the previous section above.

Key highlights:

• See previous subsection for full coverage.

Access the full standard:View IEC 63341-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Implementing these newly published standards is essential for all organizations operating in the railway sector:

• Business Advantages: Gain market edge through compliance with the latest technical benchmarks—demonstrating commitment to safety, sustainability, and operational continuity.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Many national and transnational regulators increasingly require adherence to international standards when certifying and approving new rolling stock or infrastructure upgrades.
• Timeline: Immediate planning is critical; while adoption may vary by jurisdiction, early integration into design and procurement processes minimizes costly retrofits and delays.
• Risks: Non-compliance exposes organizations to legal liability, increased operating risks, and exclusion from major tenders or contracts.

Action Points:

• Review current systems against new requirements
• Prioritize high-impact changes (e.g., hydrogen safety, platform barriers)
• Train engineering and maintenance teams on new demands

Technical Insights

A number of technical requirements and best practices recur across these standards:

• Safety Above All: Layers of redundancy for hydrogen containment, risk management, and emergency egress are central themes.
• User-Centered Design: Standards recognize the criticality of user experience—from ergonomic cab displays to accessible and safe platform barriers.
• Testing & Validation: Both type and routine testing (including hydrogen compatibility, mechanical stress, EMC, integration tests) are mandatory across standards.
• Best Practice Implementation:
  • Prioritize early hazard analyses and design validation
  • Ensure comprehensive documentation and traceability
  • Adopt modular and scalable interfaces for future upgrades

Certification note: Engage certification bodies early to avoid design or procurement bottlenecks and to ensure alignment throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The November 2025 release of these five major railway engineering standards signals a decisive shift toward zero-emission traction, improved operator interfaces, and uncompromising passenger safety. Proactive adoption and diligent implementation will future-proof rail fleets, infrastructural investments, and operational protocols.

Key takeaways:

• Hydrogen fuel cell and storage systems are now fully standardized for rolling stock
• Tram drivers benefit from robust, ergonomic, and user-friendly displays
• Platform barrier systems feature integrated safety, accessibility, and control

Recommendations:

• Begin detailed gap analysis and assign cross-functional teams to address compliance
• Integrate standard requirements into all new vehicle and station designs
• Stay abreast of future standard revisions and leverage the iTeh Standards portal for all international updates

Stay ahead in rail innovation: Explore the complete collection of railway engineering standards on iTeh Standards