EN 16186-7:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2026
Železniške naprave - Voznikova kabina - 7. del: Načrtovanje prikazovalnikov za
tramvajska vozila
Railway applications - Driver's cab - Part 7: Design of displays for tram vehicles
Bahnanwendungen - Führerraum - Teil 7: Displaygestaltung für Straßenbahnfahrzeuge
Applications ferroviaires - Cabine de conduite - Partie 7 : Conception des affichages pour
tramways
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16186-7:2025
ICS:
45.060.10 Vlečna vozila Tractive stock
45.140 Oprema za podzemne vlake, Metro, tram and light rail
tramvaje in lahka tirna vozila equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 16186-7
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 45.060.10; 45.140
English Version
Railway applications - Driver's cab - Part 7: Design of
displays for tram vehicles
Applications ferroviaires - Cabine de conduite - Partie Bahnanwendungen - Führerraum - Teil 7:
7 : Conception des affichages pour tramways Displaygestaltung für Straßenbahnfahrzeuge
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 22 September 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 16186-7:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 6
Introduction . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Abbreviations . 13
5 Requirements for display performance requirements and principles of presenting information 14
5.1 General guidelines . 14
5.1.1 Robustness . 14
5.1.2 Consistency of display application . 14
5.1.3 Design principles . 14
5.1.4 Principles for the provision of information . 14
5.1.5 Suppression of information . 15
5.2 Display performance requirements and principles of presenting information . 15
5.2.1 General . 15
5.2.2 Time to change screens . 16
5.2.3 Display response time . 16
5.2.4 Degradation of displays . 16
5.2.5 No reverse impact of a display failure . 16
5.2.6 Design of screen area. 16
5.2.7 Data consistency . 16
5.3 Principles for warnings . 16
5.3.1 Content of warnings . 16
5.3.2 Priority levels . 17
5.3.3 Warning design . 17
5.3.4 Numbers of visual warnings . 17
5.3.5 Principles for audible signals . 17
5.4 Information on languages . 18
5.4.1 Language selection . 18
5.4.2 Simultaneous language selection . 18
5.5 Tram-trains. 18
6 Requirements for the design of information . 18
6.1 General . 18
6.1.1 General design of displayed information . 18
6.1.2 Common user interface . 18
6.1.3 Prioritization of information . 18
6.1.4 Display of indicators . 18
6.1.5 Audible and/or visual warnings . 18
6.1.6 Use of information . 18
6.2 Screen organization and dimensions . 19
6.2.1 Organization of screen information . 19
6.2.2 Screen size . 19
6.2.3 Combination of screens . 19
6.2.4 Minimum resolution . 19
6.2.5 Headline height . 20
6.2.6 Headline text . 20
6.3 Luminance . 20
6.3.1 Range of luminance . 20
6.3.2 Adjustability of luminance . 20
6.3.3 Automatic adjustability of luminance . 20
6.3.4 Illumination of hard keys . 20
6.3.5 Flickering . 20
6.3.6 Uniformity of luminance and colours . 21
6.4 Colours. 22
6.4.1 Definition of colours . 22
6.4.2 Meaning of colours . 23
6.4.3 Colour ID 12 – 16. 23
6.4.4 Colour green . 23
6.4.5 Screen colours . 23
6.4.6 Background colour of status icons . 23
6.4.7 Background colour contrast . 24
6.4.8 Number of colours . 25
6.4.9 Combination of colours . 25
6.5 Symbols . 26
6.5.1 Use of symbols . 26
6.5.2 Field for symbols . 26
6.5.3 No use of symbols in texts . 26
6.5.4 Inverse status . 26
6.5.5 Symbol style . 26
6.5.6 Meaning of symbols . 26
6.6 Text . 26
6.6.1 Principles for text . 26
6.6.2 Requirements for text . 27
6.6.3 Character type . 27
6.6.4 Minimum character height . 27
6.6.5 Typography . 28
6.6.6 Character spacing. 28
6.6.7 Numbers . 28
6.7 Loudspeaker . 28
6.7.1 Loudspeaker adjustment . 28
6.7.2 Simultaneous loudspeaker adjustment . 28
7 Requirements for user/display interaction . 29
7.1 Buttons . 29
7.1.1 Button design . 29
7.1.2 Link between button and function. 29
7.1.3 Overriding hard key functionality by screen labels . 29
7.1.4 Button feedback . 30
7.1.5 Position of text or symbols on buttons . 30
7.1.6 Shape of buttons . 30
7.1.7 Location of button to prevent unintentional operation . 30
7.1.8 Button location . 30
7.1.9 Location of [Close] button . 30
7.1.10 Location of [Enter] button . 30
7.1.11 Size of a button . 31
7.1.12 Separation of buttons . 31
7.1.13 Button types . 31
7.1.14 Navigation buttons . 33
7.2 Keyboards . 33
7.2.1 Type of keyboard . 33
7.2.2 Arrangement of data keys . 33
7.2.3 Display of keyboards on the screen . 33

8 Requirements for the input of data . 34
8.1 General . 34
8.2 Entering (alpha)numeric characters. 34
8.2.1 Use of cursor . 34
8.2.2 Delay time for automatic cursor movement . 34
8.2.3 (Alpha)numeric characters . 34
8.3 Input fields . 34
8.3.1 Dimensions of input fields . 34
8.3.2 Highlighting of input fields . 35
8.3.3 Keyboards or lists associated with input fields . 35
8.3.4 No overlapping of the input field . 35
8.3.5 Options for entering or changing data input . 35
8.3.6 Data entry proposal . 35
8.3.7 Number of character positions in the input field . 35
8.3.8 Function of [Enter] button for data entry . 35
8.3.9 Input for free data . 35
8.3.10 Input for predefined data . 35
9 Requirements for troubleshooting . 36
9.1 Fault indication requesting driver warning and acknowledgement (troubleshooting process) . 36
9.2 Fault indication not requesting driver warning and acknowledgement . 37
Annex A (informative) Symbols, text messages and audible signals . 38
A.1 General . 38
A.2 Symbols and text messages . 38
A.2.1 Guidelines for symbols . 38
A.2.2 Symbols and text messages . 39
A.3 Audible signals . 54
Annex B (informative) Hard keys arrangement . 56
Annex C (informative) TDD basic screen . 57
C.1 General . 57
C.2 TDD basic screen at standstill . 58
C.3 TDD basic screen while running . 58
Annex D (informative) Data entry and keyboard examples . 61
D.1 Numerical data entry examples . 61
D.2 Alphanumerical data entry examples . 63
Annex E (informative) Registration form for new graphical symbols . 65
Bibliography . 66

European foreword
This document (EN 16186-7:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 256 “Railway
applications”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
EN 16186 Railway applications — Driver’s cab consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Anthropometric data and visibility;
— Part 2: Integration of displays, controls and indicators;
— Part 3: Design of displays;
— Part 4: Layout and access;
— Part 5: External visibility for tram vehicles;
— Part 6: Integration of displays, controls and indicators for tram vehicles;
— Part 7: Design of displays for tram vehicles;
— Part 8: Tram vehicle layout and access.
NOTE Part 1 to 4 above-mentioned standards are only applicable for heavy rail vehicles.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
The requirements of this document have been developed taking into account the relevant regulations and
the state of the art of tram vehicles.
The reasons for specifying the requirements are as follows:
— achieving harmonized and coherent presentation of information;
— defining Driver-Machine Interface ergonomics that is compatible with agreed interoperable
specifications;
— to reduce the risk of incorrect operation by a driver working with different tram vehicles fitted with
displays;
— facilitating tram vehicle operation with unified ergonomics, hence reducing the cost of driver training.
Information designed according to this standard is deemed to fulfil the following basic principles:
— be clear, correct and necessary;
— indicate its priority, whether by positioning, size, colour, sounds, sound levels, etc.;
— minimize confusion of the driver;
— prevent unnecessary distraction of the drivers' attention while performing their normal duties.
If a requirement contains an option, the choice of this option is purely up to the applicant.
NOTE 1 The term “option” is to be understood as a possibility that is usually expressed by the word “can”.
NOTE 2 In the context of this document, “tram vehicles” also means “tram-trains”.
1 Scope
This document is applicable to vehicles operating on tram networks.
This document specifies all necessary design rules and associated assessment criteria as well as guidance
concerning the design of information and the corresponding user interfaces of driver’s cabs of tram
vehicles.
It considers the tasks the driver has to carry out and human factors. This document specifies how
information is arranged and displayed.
All assessments based on the normative requirements of this document are applicable mainly to:
— symbols provided by Annex A;
— arrangement of screen areas conforming with Figure 1 (generic organization of information);
— colours, fonts;
— audible information.
This document is applicable to the following aspects:
— legibility and intelligibility of displayed information: general rules concerning the layout of
information on the displays, including character size and spacing;
— definition of harmonized colours, symbols, etc.;
— definition of harmonized principles for the command interface (by physical or touchscreen buttons):
size, symbols, reaction time, way to give feedback to the driver, etc.;
— general arrangements (dialogue structures, sequences, layout philosophy, colour philosophy),
symbols, audible information, data entry arrangements.
NOTE If this document deals with how information can be given for operation and in degraded situations, it
does not define operating rules and degraded situations.
This document does not request any safety requirement related with displayed information.
This document specifies minimum requirements and does not prevent innovative solutions.
Requirements describing the functions using the display are out of scope of this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 16186-5:2021+A1:2023, Railway applications — Driver’s cabs — Part 5: External visibility for tram
vehicles
EN 16186-6:2024, Railway applications - Driver’s cab - Part 6: Integration of displays, controls and
indicators for tram vehicles
EN 17343, Railway applications - General terms and definitions
EN 894-2:1997+A1:2008, Safety of machinery — Ergonomics requirements for the design of displays and
control actuators — Part 2: Displays
EN ISO 9241-307:2008, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 307: Analysis and compliance test
methods for electronic visual displays (ISO 9241-307:2008)
ISO 2575:2021, Road vehicles — Symbols for controls, indicators and tell-tales
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 17343, EN 16186-5 and
EN 16186-6 and the following apply.
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
activated
put into a functional state following a validated input
3.2
authentication
process checking the identity of the user, device or any other element of the system or integrity of the
stored, transmitted or retrieved/exposed data
Note 1 to entry: This can be a pre-requisite to access the system.
3.3
authorisation
process granting the access rights to a user, program or process, or an event or status of the system
putting the system itself in hold condition which can be exited only by the action of authorised staff
3.4
brightness
attribute of a visual sensation according to which an area appears to emit more or less light
Note 1 to entry: The use of this term is not restricted to primary light sources.
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-302:2008 [1], definition 3.3.9, modified (Note added)]
3.5
button
operating element for interaction with the display (hard key, soft key, sensitive area)
3.5.1
enabled
put into a state where the function related to the button can be activated by pressing the button
3.5.2
pressed
put into a state where the action on the button is ongoing
3.6
Closed Circuit Television
CCTV
television allowing the transmission of images over a relatively short distance intended for a particular
group of users
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-723-01-19 [2], modified “generally by cable” and examples removed]
3.7
display
hardware device or system that shows text and/or graphic information to the user
Note 1 to entry: The display optionally contains hard keys.
3.8
command
action executed by the personnel on the human-machine interface
3.9
consistency
maintenance of interface design choices (codes, naming, formats, procedures, etc.) in similar contexts
Note 1 to entry: see [3].
3.10
Operational Aided System Display
OASD
display that allows the driver to enter operational related information and to get real time information
(tram vehicle number, route information, driver ID, track status, electronic timetable, messages, …)
3.11
error
discrepancy between a computed, observed or measured value or condition and the true, specified or
theoretically correct value or condition
Note 1 to entry: An error can be caused by a faulty item, e.g. a computing error made by faulty computer equipment.
Note 2 to entry: A human error can be seen as a human action or inaction that can produce an unintended result.
[SOURCE: EN 50129:2018 [4], 3.1.13]
3.12
event
occurrence of a state at a defined precondition and time requesting attention, e.g. alarm, authentication,
authorisation, fault, warning
[SOURCE: EN 15380-4:2013 [5], 3.12, modified (“requesting attention, e.g. alarm, authentication,
authorisation, fault, warning” added)]
3.13
failure
loss of ability to perform as required
[SOURCE: EN 50129:2018 [4], 192-03-01, modified (the Notes 1, 2 and 3 to entry have been omitted)]
3.14
fault
state of an item characterized by inability to perform a required function, excluding the
inability during preventive maintenance or other planned actions
Note 1 to entry: a fault is often the result of a failure of the item itself, but can exist without prior failure (e.g. in case
of a design fault).
Note 2 to entry: the fault is a state characterized by inability to perform a required function.
3.15
grid array
area consisting of pixels which results in a visual appearance of information in certain proportions
Note 1 to entry: Form and shape of the information on the screen in this standard is based on a graphical screen
with a total grid array of 1 024 × 768 pixels. This ratio forms the basis for all object proportions independent of
resolution and size of the screen.
3.16
hard key
physical key with permanent marking and not part of the screen area
Note 1 to entry: This permanent marking can be alpha and/or numeric and/or a symbol.
3.17
input field
highlighted screen area for entering data
3.18
label
symbol or text indication on or near an indicator or a button
EXAMPLE Soft key label
3.19
luminance
physical measurement of the stimulus which produces the sensation of brightness, in terms of the
luminous intensity in a given direction (usually towards the observer), per unit area, of an emitting,
transmitting or reflecting surface, expressed in candelas per square metre (cd/m )
Note 1 to entry: It is the luminous intensity of the light emitted or reflected in a given direction from an element of
the surface divided by the area of the element projected in the same direction.
[SOURCE: ISO 11064-6:2005 [7], 3.9, modified: (cd/m ) added, notes 2 and 3 removed.]
3.20
remedy
help and/or explanatory information related to a technical fault
3.21
RGB
colour scheme defined in EN 61966-2-1 [8]
3.22
screen
visual result of software, implemented on a display that is devoted to interact with the user
Note 1 to entry: A screen is a set of information made of a background, windows and symbols. This information can
be for example speed, distance, pressure, temperature, electric current, real time video images, which may allow or
request drivers to input data through a user interface
3.23
screen area
part of display providing the screens
3.24
sensitive area
enabled area on a touchscreen on which a physical action is possible in order to give input to the display
3.25
soft key
context-dependent key consisting of a combination of a hard key and an associated screen label (text or
symbol)
Note 1 to entry: This key is for multifunctional use.
3.26
status
existent or potential state of the system or actual state at a given time t
Note 1 to entry: A status can be:
a) ON/active/up;
b) OFF/inactive/down;
c) excluded/isolated/inhibited;
d) faulty;
e) unknown.
3.27
symbol
pictorial representation (with optional digits and letters) used for displaying information
3.28
technical and diagnostic display
TDD
device that provides information and recommendations with regard to tram vehicle and/or vehicle
status, diagnostics, failure management and dedicated functions of the trainset
3.29
basic screen
screen at the root of the screen hierarchy easily accessible
Note 1 to entry: Depending on the situation, the basic screen can be different (at standstill, while running, etc.).
3.30
technical specification
document describing specific parameters and/or product requirements, which have to be agreed by
contracting parties
3.31
text
alphanumeric information
3.32
title
text explaining the purpose of the window or screen
3.33
Train Control and Monitoring System
TCMS
means of controlling and monitoring functions of the train internally, whether by software or hardware,
and of providing information to the driver of the status of equipment on-board the train
3.34
troubleshooting
process of structured and intentional activities in order to cope with a technical problem with support of
the diagnostic system
3.35
window
separate visual area of the screen which displays information output and may allow input
Note 1 to entry: Usually it has a rectangular shape.
4 Abbreviations
Table 1 — Abbreviations
ACK Acknowledgment
CCTV Closed Circuit Television
DAC Driver Activity Control
HSCB High Speed Circuit Breaker
HVAC Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
OASD Operational Aided System Display
PAD Passenger Alarm Device
PAS Passenger Alarm System
TCMS Train Control and Monitoring System
TDD Technical and Diagnostic Display
WSP Wheel Slide Protection
5 Requirements for display performance requirements and principles of
presenting information
5.1 General guidelines
5.1.1 Robustness
Any protection against mechanical damage should not adversely affect the visibility of any displayed
information.
5.1.2 Consistency of display application
Information that requires an action from the driver shall be presented only once on only one display.
Existing information shall be consistently available for all displays where relevant. Each piece of
information (e.g. time) should be only shown on one display. Synchronization of identical information on
different displays shall be less than 1 s.
5.1.3 Design principles
All displays and displayed applications should be designed according to consistent principles and
therefore have a common approach for the user interface.
The following principles govern graphical user interface design:
— symbols should be used consistently with their meaning (same information = same symbol);
— all driving related displayed information should be located in the preferred field of vision (see
EN 16186-6:2024, Figure A.2);
— visual information requiring immediate action shall be prominently displayed;
— high priority visual information shall be accompanied by an alerting tone. The number of sounds
should be minimized (see 5.3.5);
NOTE 1 High priority information is information that requires immediate action by the driver.
— each window should have an explicit title;
— numerical values should be displayed using standard units and SI standard prefixes (e.g.: voltage in V,
mV, kV etc.);
— when two symbols (e.g. a needle and a figure) represent the same piece of information on a screen,
the same colour shall be used for both unless they physically overlap;
NOTE 2 The symbols in Annex A follow these general rules. Further information related with the symbols is
provided in Annex A.
5.1.4 Principles for the provision of information
The information provided should be adapted to the phase of driving and the state of the train. The
principle of “just enough” at the right time should drive the design of the screens.
TDD displaying safety information shall be developed with the appropriate safety level, if the information
is not already displayed outside the TDD.
Priority information for operations should be displayed on the TDD basic screen (see C.1 for examples).
The TDD basic screen shall be accessible easily from any screen.
The TDD basic screen shall allow access to menus and submenus adapted to the operating phase
(stopping, running, etc.). For example, the coupling/uncoupling submenu shall be accessible only when
stopped.
For tram-trains, the following additional information shall be displayed while driving:
— traction/dynamic brake force;
— front light selection states (dimmed headlight, full headlight .).
For additional tram-train functions, refer to EN 16186-3:2022.
The TDD should automatically switch to the
...