EN 15663:2017/prA1

Overview

EN 15663:2017/prA1 - Railway Applications: Vehicle Reference Masses is a European standard developed by CEN for the railway industry. This standard specifies a comprehensive set of reference masses essential for the design, testing, acceptance, marking, delivery, and operation of rail vehicles. The vehicle reference masses defined apply to the entire vehicle, but can also be used for specific systems or components. The standard ensures consistency and clarity in stating mass values required for regulatory compliance and operational efficiency across the European railway sector.

Key Topics

Reference Mass Definitions:

• Dead Mass: The mass of a rail vehicle excluding any payload.
• Design Mass in Working Order: The vehicle's mass, including all required equipment and operational fluids, but no payload.
• Design Mass under Normal Payload: The mass when the vehicle is loaded under typical operational conditions.
• Design Mass under Exceptional Payload: The mass under maximum, exceptional loading conditions.
• Operational Mass in Working Order: Reflects the actual mass during day-to-day operation, without payload.
• Operational Mass under Normal Payload: The operational mass including a standard passenger or freight load.

Scope and Exclusions:

• Focuses on specifying reference mass values for design, testing, and operation.
• Does not define tolerances for mass or consider additional environmental loading (e.g., snow, retained water).
• Tolerances for mass values may be addressed in other application standards, not within this document.

High Speed & Long-Distance Units:

• Details on payload calculation for different operational scenarios.
• Passenger and luggage weights are standardized for calculation (e.g., 80 kg per person including luggage).
• Differentiates between normal and exceptional payload values in passenger, standing, catering, and luggage areas.

Applications

EN 15663:2017/prA1 provides critical reference values for the railway industry, supporting a wide range of practical applications:

• Rail Vehicle Design & Engineering: Ensures designers specify appropriate vehicle structures and systems based on uniform mass references.
• Testing and Certification: Facilitates the process of verifying that vehicles meet European regulatory requirements through defined mass categories.
• Procurement & Delivery: Offers a common framework for manufacturers and operators when specifying vehicle procurement or assessing delivery.
• Vehicle Marking: Establishes requirements for clearly marking vehicle masses, improving transparency and safety.
• Operational Planning: Enables operators to accurately plan for loading, capacity management, and service scheduling.

By following this standard, stakeholders across the railway sector can ensure compatibility, compliance, and interoperability within national and international railway systems.

Related Standards

EN 15663:2017/prA1 is closely aligned with the following standards and guidelines in the railway sector:

• EN 15663:2017: The base European Standard for railway vehicle reference masses.
• IEC and ISO Railway Standards: For overall interoperability and additional technical requirements.
• Application standards that further specify operational tolerances and address environmental loading factors.
• National standards and regulations that reference EN 15663:2017/prA1 for compliance within member states.

Adoption of EN 15663:2017/prA1 helps harmonize mass specification practices across Europe, supporting safe and efficient railway operations.