SIST EN 16584-1:2025
(Main)Railway applications - Design for PRM use - General requirements - Part 1: Contrast
Railway applications - Design for PRM use - General requirements - Part 1: Contrast
This European Standard describes the specific ‘Design for PRM use’ requirements applying to both infrastructure and rolling stock and the assessment of those requirements. The following applies to this standard:
- The definitions and requirements describe specific aspects of ‘Design for PRM use’ required by persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility as defined in the PRM TSI.
- This standard defines elements that are universally valid for obstacle free travelling including lighting, contrast, tactile feedback, transmission of visual and acoustic information. The definitions and requirements of this standard cover the infrastructure and rolling stock applications.
- This standard only refers to aspects of accessibility for PRM passengers it does not define non PRM related requirements and definitions.
- This standard assumes that the infrastructure or rolling stock is in its defined operating condition.
- Where minimum or maximum dimensions are quoted these are absolute NOT nominal requirements.
The ‘General requirements’ standard is written in three parts:
- This document is Part 1 and contains:
- contrast;
- Part 2 contains:
- spoken information;
- written information;
- tactile information;
- pictograms;
- Part 3 contains:
- lighting;
- low reflective properties;
- transparent obstacles;
- slip resistance.
Bahnanwendungen - Gestaltung für die Nutzung durch PRM - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1: Kontrast
Dieses Dokument beschreibt die spezifischen Anforderungen an die „Gestaltung für die Nutzung durch PRM“, die für Infrastruktur und Fahrzeuge anwendbar sind, sowie die Bewertung dieser Anforderungen. Die nachfolgenden Punkte sind für dieses Dokument anwendbar:
Die Festlegungen und Anforderungen beschreiben bestimmte Aspekte der „Gestaltung für die Nutzung durch PRM“, die, wie in der TSI PRM festgelegt, für Menschen mit Behinderungen und Menschen mit eingeschränkter Mobilität erforderlich sind.
Dieses Dokument definiert allgemein gültige Elemente für das hindernisfreie Reisen in Bezug auf visuellen Kontrast. Die Festlegungen und Anforderungen dieses Dokuments umfassen Infrastruktur und Fahrzeuge.
Dieses Dokument behandelt ausschließlich Aspekte der Zugänglichkeit für PRM-Fahrgäste. Es definiert keine Anforderungen und Definitionen für nicht mobilitätseingeschränkte Fahrgäste.
Für dieses Dokument wird angenommen, dass die Infrastruktur oder die Fahrzeuge sich in ihrem festgelegten Betriebszustand befinden.
Sind Maße für Mindest- oder Höchstabmessungen angegeben, ist zu beachten, dass es sich hierbei um Absolutwerte, NICHT um Nominalwerte handelt.
Dieses Dokument „Allgemeine Anforderungen“ besteht aus drei Teilen:
Dieses Dokument ist Teil 1 und beinhaltet:
- Kontrast;
Teil 2 beinhaltet:
- gesprochene Informationen;
- schriftliche Informationen;
- taktile Informationen;
- Piktogramme;
- akustische Signale;
Teil 3 beinhaltet:
- Beleuchtung;
- gering reflektierende Eigenschaften;
- transparente Hindernisse;
- Rutschfestigkeit.
Applications ferroviaires - Conception destinée à l'usage par les PMR - Exigences générales - Partie 1: Contraste
Le présent document décrit les exigences spécifiques de « conception destinée à l'usage par les PMR » s'appliquant à la fois à l'infrastructure et au matériel roulant, ainsi que l'évaluation de ces exigences. Les éléments suivants s'appliquent au présent document :
Les définitions et les exigences décrivent les aspects spécifiques de la « conception destinée à l'usage par les PMR » requise pour les personnes handicapées et à mobilité réduite telle que définie dans la STI PMR.
Le présent document définit des éléments universellement valables pour un cheminement libre d'obstacles et relatifs au contraste visuel. Les définitions et les exigences du présent document couvrent les applications concernant l'infrastructure et le matériel roulant.
Le présent document traite uniquement des aspects liés à l'accessibilité des voyageurs à mobilité réduite ; elle ne définit pas d'exigences ni de définitions concernant des personnes valides.
Le présent document repose sur l'hypothèse que l'infrastructure ou le matériel roulant est dans son état de fonctionnement défini.
Lorsque des dimensions minimales ou maximales sont mentionnées, elles NE doivent absolument PAS être considérées comme des exigences nominales.
La norme « Exigences générales » comprend trois parties :
Le présent document est la Partie 1 et traite du point suivant :
— contraste.
La Partie 2 traite des points suivants :
— informations vocales ;
— informations écrites ;
— informations tactiles ;
— pictogrammes ;
— signaux sonores.
— La Partie 3 traite des points suivants :
— éclairage ;
— propriétés faiblement réfléchissantes ;
— obstacles transparents ;
— propriétés antidérapantes.
Železniške naprave - Načrtovanje za osebe z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi - Splošne zahteve - 1. del: Kontrast
Ta evropski standard opisuje posebne zahteve za načrtovanje za osebe z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi, ki veljajo tako za infrastrukturo kot železniška vozila, in oceno teh zahtev. Za ta standard velja naslednje: – Definicije in zahteve opisujejo posebne vidike načrtovanja za osebe z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi, zahtevane za invalidne osebe in osebe z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi, kot je opredeljeno v tehničnih specifikacijah za interoperabilnost za osebe z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi. – Ta standard določa elemente, ki so splošno veljavni za potovanje brez ovir, vključno z razsvetljavo, kontrastom, taktilno povratno informacijo ter prenosom vizualnih in zvočnih informacij. Definicije in zahteve iz tega standarda zajemajo infrastrukturo in naprave v železniških vozilih. – Ta standard se navezuje le na vidike dostopnosti za potnike z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi; ne določa zahtev in definicij, ki niso povezane s potniki z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi. – Ta standard predpostavlja, da je infrastruktura ali železniško vozilo v določenem obratovalnem stanju. – Kadar so navedene najmanjše ali največje dimenzije, so to absolutne, NE nominalne zahteve. Standard »Splošne zahteve« vključuje tri dele: – ta dokument je 1. del in vsebuje: – kontrast; – 2. del vsebuje: – zvočne informacije; – pisne informacije; – taktilne informacije; – piktograme; – 3. del vsebuje: – razsvetljavo; – nizke odsevne lastnosti; – prosojne ovire; – odpornost proti zdrsu.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2025
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 16584-1:2017
Železniške naprave - Načrtovanje za osebe z omejenimi gibalnimi sposobnostmi -
Splošne zahteve - 1. del: Kontrast
Railway applications - Design for PRM use - General requirements - Part 1: Contrast
Bahnanwendungen - Gestaltung für die Nutzung durch PRM - Allgemeine
Anforderungen - Teil 1: Kontrast
Applications ferroviaires - Conception destinée à l'usage par les PMR - Exigences
générales - Partie 1: Contraste
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16584-1:2025
ICS:
11.180.01 Pripomočki za Aids for disabled and
onesposobljene in handicapped persons in
hendikepirane osebe na general
splošno
45.020 Železniška tehnika na Railway engineering in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 16584-1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 45.020; 11.180.01 Supersedes EN 16584-1:2017
English Version
Railway applications - Design for PRM use - General
requirements - Part 1: Contrast
Applications ferroviaires - Conception destinée à Bahnanwendungen - Gestaltung für die Nutzung durch
l'usage par les PMR - Exigences générales - Partie 1: PRM - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1: Kontrast
Contraste
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 June 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 16584-1:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 13
5 Requirements and assessment . 14
5.1 General. 14
5.2 Infrastructure . 14
5.2.1 Obstacle-free routes . 14
5.2.2 Doors and entrances . 14
5.2.3 Transparent obstacles . 16
5.2.4 Furniture and free-standing devices . 16
5.2.5 Handrails. 16
5.2.6 Platform danger area and edge of platform . 16
5.2.7 End of platform . 17
5.3 Rolling stock . 17
5.3.1 Seats . 17
5.3.2 Doors . 19
5.3.3 Exterior doors . 20
5.3.4 Interior doors . 23
5.3.5 Toilets (standard and universal) . 24
5.3.6 Customer Information . 26
5.3.7 Height changes . 29
5.3.8 Handrails. 30
5.3.9 Access/egress steps . 30
5.3.10 Call for aid devices . 31
5.3.11 Boarding aids . 31
6 Methodologies for assessing contrast . 32
6.1 General. 32
6.2 Establishing LRVs . 33
6.2.1 General. 33
6.2.2 Method of establishing LRV . 33
6.2.3 Specific assessment criteria for stainless steel . 38
6.3 Method of assessing contrast with LRVs established (as in 6.2). 39
6.3.1 General requirements for contrast . 39
6.3.2 Specific requirements for contrast on signage . 39
6.3.3 Durability of contrast . 39
6.3.4 Specific requirements for electronic display . 40
Annex A (normative) Contrast Charts. 41
A.1 General. 41
A.2 Worked examples for contrast . 43
A.3 Self-contrasting bands . 45
Annex B (normative) Contrast for doors and transparent obstacles . 46
B.1 General . 46
B.2 Exterior doors . 46
B.3 Case 1: If the window is less than or equal to 40 % of the visible door leaf . 46
B.4 Case 2: If the window is greater than 40 % of the visible door leaf. 48
B.5 Case 3: Alternative if the door leaf is not coloured to contrast with the bodyside . 49
B.6 Markings for interior doors or transparent obstacles . 49
Annex C (normative) Effective contrast calculation for displays . 52
C.1 Illuminated displays . 52
C.2 Back lit and/or self-lit displays . 52
Annex D (informative) Supporting information from published documents . 54
D.1 General . 54
D.2 CIE Publication 196:2011 CIE Guide to Increasing Accessibility in Light and Lighting
................................................................................................................................................................... 54
D.3 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and
Facilities . 54
D.4 BS 8300-2 2018 Design of an Accessible and Inclusive Built Environment Part 2
Buildings - Code of practice . 54
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
requirements of EU Directive (EU) 2016/797 aimed to be covered . 56
Bibliography . 59
European foreword
This document (EN 16584-1:2025) 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 April 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 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.
This document supersedes EN 16584-1:2017.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— the document template has been updated;
— the document has been revised generally for document references and editorial issues with
grammar;
— scope modified;
— normative references updated;
— terms and definitions revised;
— 5.1 removed references to annexes covering EC verification and testing requirements;
— 5.2.6 Platform danger area and edge of platform – Note 1 changed to be a bullet point, Note 2 moved
from 7) to 5);
— 5.2.7 End of Platform – addition of ‘contrast requirement for the barrier shall be assessed according
to free-standing device;
— 5.3.4 Interior doors – text modified;
— 5.3.6.2 - text amended and additional Figures added;
— 5.3.11 Boarding aids – text changed from ‘up-stand’ to ‘tapered lip’;
— Annex D “EC verification - Interoperability constituents” removed;
— Annex E “Summary of testing requirements” removed;
— Subsequent Annexes renumbered;
— Annex ZA updated;
— Bibliography updated.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
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
This document is part of a suite of four ‘Design for PRM use’ standards that have in total nine parts:
EN 16584 is a standard that covers both infrastructure and rolling stock — Railway applications —
Design for PRM use — General requirements:
— Part 1: Contrast (EN 16584-1);
— Part 2: Information (EN 16584-2);
— Part 3: Optical and friction characteristics (EN 16584-3).
EN 16585 is a standard that covers rolling stock — Railway applications — Design for PRM use —
Equipment and components on board rolling stock:
— Part 1: Toilets (EN 16585-1);
— Part 2: Elements for sitting, standing and moving (EN 16585-2);
— Part 3: Clearways and internal doors (EN 16585-3).
EN 16586 is a standard that covers rolling stock — Railway applications — Design for PRM use —
Accessibility of persons with reduced mobility to rolling stock:
— Part 1: Steps for access and egress (EN 16586-1);
— Part 2: Boarding aids (EN 16586-2).
EN 16587 is a standard that covers infrastructure — Railway applications — Design for PRM use —
Requirements for obstacle-free routes for infrastructure.
These standards aim to clarify the requirements (with clear and consistent terms and definitions) and to
define the associated criteria and, where appropriate, methodologies to allow a clear pass/fail
assessment”.
1 Scope
This document describes the specific ‘Design for PRM use’ requirements applying to both infrastructure
and rolling stock and the assessment of those requirements. The following applies to this document:
The definitions and requirements describe specific aspects of ‘Design for PRM use’ required by persons
with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility as defined in the PRM TSI.
This document defines elements that are universally valid for board-free travelling relating to visual
contrast. The definitions and requirements of this document cover the infrastructure and rolling stock
applications.
This document only refers to aspects of accessibility for PRM passengers; it does not define non-PRM
related requirements and definitions.
This document assumes that the infrastructure or rolling stock is in its defined operating condition.
Where minimum or maximum dimensions are quoted these are absolute NOT nominal requirements.
The ‘General requirements’ standard is written in three parts:
This document is Part 1 and contains:
— contrast.
Part 2 contains:
— spoken information;
— written information;
— tactile information;
— pictograms;
— audible signals.
Part 3 contains:
— lighting;
— low reflective properties;
— transparent obstacles;
— slip resistance.
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 10088-2:2024, Stainless steels - Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip of
corrosion resistant steels for general purposes
EN 13272-1:2019, Railway applications - Electrical lighting for rolling stock in public transport systems -
Part 1: Heavy rail
EN 16584-2:2025, Railway applications — Design for PRM use — General requirements — Part 2:
Information (Basel)
EN 16584-3:2025, Railway applications — Design for PRM use — General requirements — Part 3: Optical
and friction characteristics
EN 16586-1:2025, Railway applications — Design for PRM use — Accessibility of persons with reduced
mobility to rolling stock — Part 1: Steps for access and egress
EN 16587:2025, Railway applications — Design for PRM use — Requirements for obstacle-free routes for
infrastructure
ISO 17398:2004, Safety colours and safety signs — Classification, performance and durability of safety signs
ISO 21542:2021, Building construction — Accessibility and usability of the built environment
ISO 3864-1:2011, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 1: Design principles for safety
signs and safety markings
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
bezel
raised area that surrounds a pressel as part of a pushbutton
3.2
boarding aid
device (fixed or portable) that bridges the gap between rolling stock and platform to allow a PRM to board
or alight from a train
Note 1 to entry: This includes manual, semi-automatic or automatic ramps, lifts and other devices.
3.3
bridging plate
retractable device integrated into the vehicle as close as possible to the door threshold level that enables
access for wheelchair users, fully automatic and activated/controlled in conjunction with the door
opening/closing sequences or semi-automatic on demand from passenger or staff
Note 1 to entry: It retains its strength without support on the station platform when extended.
3.4
character height
vertical size of uppercase letters or numbers
3.5
clear width
clear usable width
unobstructed width of an open door or clearway to allow all passengers, including PRM, to pass through
3.6
contrast
perception of a difference visually between one surface or element of a building/rail vehicle and another
by reference to their light reflectance values (LRV) or luminance values
Note 1 to entry: See BS 8300-1 and BS 8300-2 for further information.
3.7
customer information
all visual and spoken information other than information intended only for staff
3.8
doorway
opening in the vehicle body side that allows access to and egress from that vehicle
3.9
effective clear width
horizontal usable width of the surface of a boarding aid or entrance step
3.10
first step
step that is the first step for a passenger to use, to overcome a height change
Note 1 to entry: For the external access/egress steps this will normally be the step that is closest to the platform
edge (fixed or movable step), therefore this is the first step when boarding and the last step when alighting.
Note 2 to entry: In the context of steps for internal height changes (other than the external access/egress steps) this
means the first usable step when ascending and the edge of the walking floor when descending.
3.11
fixed longitudinal seat
passenger seat which is installed along the body side (not foldable or intended to tip up) facing
perpendicular to the direction of travel
3.12
free-standing device
element or item within the confines of the station and on platforms, whether fixed or removable, that is
not part of the station structures
Note 1 to entry: Elements that are not included in this definition are lifts, external staircases, walls, any suspended
devices, (the lower most part of which is more than 2 100 mm above the walking floor) and items that have a
dimension greater (perpendicular to the walking direction) than 2 000 mm (e.g. fence, waiting shelter).
3.13
gap
distance between a platform and the closest point on the rolling stock at the passenger door where
passengers traverse from one to the other (both vertical and horizontal)
3.14
halo
illuminated ring surrounding a pressel, not necessarily continuous
3.15
handhold
discontinuous element designed to be gripped or held in order to aid personal stability
3.16
handrail
continuous element with round cross section for passengers to use to aid personal stability by gripping
around
3.17
hue and chroma
attributes of a colour which include its hue (frequency) and saturation (the dominant wavelength of a
colour) also known as “chromaticity”
Note 1 to entry: A colour system (colour space, colour model) defines colour by hue, saturation and brightness. The
hue is the predominant colour, the saturation is the colour intensity from achromatic (colourless) to the pure colour
and the value (result) is the brightness from light to dark.
3.18
innovative solution
technological progression that results in a solution that does not comply with the specification set out in
Clause 5 of this standard or for which there are no assessment methods
Note 1 to entry: An innovative solution (Article 6 Commission Regulation (EU) N° 2023/1694 of 10 August 2023
may only be used following a positive opinion from the European Commission.
3.19
last step
final step for an ascending passenger to use to overcome a height change, forming the edge of the walking
floor
3.20
Light Reflectance Value
LRV
total quantity of visible light that is reflected by a surface at all wavelengths and directions when
illuminated by a light source
Note 1 to entry: The measured range of LRV is between 0 and 100 points, with a value of 0 points for pure black and
a value of 100 points for pure white.
Note 2 to entry: See Annex D for further information.
3.21
obstacle-free route
link between two or more public areas dedicated to the transport of passengers that can be navigated
independently by all persons with disabilities and reduced mobility
Note 1 to entry: In order to achieve this, the route can be divided to better meet the needs of all persons with
disabilities and reduced mobility. The combination of all the parts of the obstacle-free route constitutes the route
accessible for all persons with disabilities and reduced mobility.
3.22
pictogram
graphical symbol, diagram or Figure with a particular meaning which directly represents or conveys its
meaning independently of language through a pictorial representation of a physical object, action or
character
Note 1 to entry: Refer to ISO 7001:2023, ISO 22727:2007 and ISO 9186 (all parts) for rules regarding graphical
symbols and frames.
3.23
pressel
surface of the pushbutton which is pressed in order to activate the pushbutton
3.24
routeing information
information, used by passengers to guide them on their journey, a guide as to which route to take to get
to a required destination or facility and changes along that journey
Note 1 to entry: This can be temporary information to an event e.g. exhibition or sporting event but NOT any form
of commercial advertising.
3.25
spoken information
information audibly communicated in words
Note 1 to entry: This can be direct, pre-recorded or synthesized information.
3.26
standard toilet
toilet not designed to be accessible to a passenger in a wheelchair
3.27
station
any form of infrastructure where a train operates and passengers can board or alight in normal operation
3.28
step nose
step nosing
intersection point of the projections of horizontal and vertical surfaces of a step
Note 1 to entry: This is illustrated in EN 16586-1:2025, Annex B showing example step noses.
3.29
tactile
information that is relayed through the physical sense of touch
Note 1 to entry: Tactile signs, controls, symbols, pictograms, guide path and Braille or raised characters are a
physical means by which tactile information is provided.
3.30
transparent obstacle
obstacle that allows objects or images to be seen as if there were no intervening material, seen through
with a level of clarity
Note 1 to entry: Transparency in this standard is when an obstacle allows at least 50 % direct light transmission.
3.31
universal toilet
toilet designed to be used by all passengers including passengers in wheelchairs
3.32
visual acuity
threshold of the capacity of the eye to perceive fine details of a visual object (a sign), the recognizability
of which depends on the visual angle
3.33
visual information
written information, pictograms and markings
3.34
wheelchair space
designated space in the passenger compartment for a wheelchair user and their wheelchair
3.35
written information
information visually communicated in words, letters and numerals, excluding pictograms and markings
4 Symbols and abbreviations
For purposes of this document, the symbols and abbreviations in Table 1 and Table 2 apply.
Table 1 — Abbreviations
Abbreviation Designation
CIE Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage.
EN European Standard
ISO the International Organization for Standardization
LRV Light Reflectance Value
NCS Natural Colour System
PRM Persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility
TSI Technical Specification for Interoperability
UV Ultraviolet light
Table 2 — Symbols
Symbol Designation Unit
E brightness of extraneous light
F
k unit of contrast
K correlated colour temperature (of a light source) Kelvin
K the effective contrast
eff
L unit of luminance in candela per square metre cd/m
L the LRV of the object
o
L the luminance for self-lit displays when off cd/m
L the luminance for self-lit displays when on cd/m
L the LRV of the character (signage only)
c
L the luminance generated by extraneous light cd/m
F
L the LRV of the background or adjacent surface
h
lx illuminance lux
m length metre
mm length millimetre
nm length (one billionth of a metre) nanometre
ρ reflectance value of surface of the display
A
5 Requirements and assessment
5.1 General
The fonts, symbols and pictograms used for visual information shall contrast with their background.
Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
All dimensions in the Figures are in millimetres (mm) unless otherwise stated.
Colours used in the Figures in this document are for illustrative purposes only and not to be considered
as demonstrating compliance.
5.2 Infrastructure
5.2.1 Obstacle-free routes
5.2.1.1 Horizontal circulation
Where thresholds are installed on a horizontal route, they shall contrast with the surrounding floor and
shall not be higher than 25 mm.
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— Assessment of height shall be according to EN 16587:2025.
5.2.1.2 Vertical circulation
As a minimum the first and last steps of a flight of stairs shall be indicated by a contrasting band. This
shall apply from a single step.
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
5.2.2 Doors and entrances
This clause applies to all doors and entrances that are on obstacle-free routes according to
EN 16587:2025 with the exception of doors giving access to the toilets which are not dedicated to persons
with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility.
If pushbuttons or other control devices are provided for operation of doors, then each pushbutton or
device shall contrast with its surroundings:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A;
— The surroundings shall be defined as 100 mm in at least two directions (at least 90 degrees apart)
from the edge of the control bezel outwards over at least the full width of that control (the resultant
area shall be at least 20 000 mm ) see Figures 1a and 1b;
— The control for the doors if it is a pushbutton shall be assessed as the pressel, the illuminating halo
and the bezel combined which shall have a minimum area of 5 000 mm . See Figure 2.
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Example of contrast of door handle to b) Example of contrast of door handle to
surroundings door surround
Key
1 Door control device (handle)
2 a) Surroundings (may be the whole door or minimized as dimensioned)
b) Surroundings (door)
3 The rest of the door when localized contrast is used
Figure 1 — Examples of contrast of door handles
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 Door control device (for example pushbutton)
2 Contrasting surface, min. 20 000 mm , min. 100 mm in at least two directions from a cluster of pushbuttons
Figure 2 — Example of contrast of pushbuttons to background
5.2.3 Transparent obstacles
Transparent obstacles on or along the routes used by passengers, consisting of glass doors or transparent
walls, shall be marked. These markings shall highlight the transparent obstacles.
— Assessment shall be according to ISO 21542:2021 or appropriate national or regional standards.
These markings shall:
i. Contrast with the background against which they are viewed.
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
NOTE 1 The background is the area behind the obstacle as viewed in the direction of passenger movement.
or
ii. Consist of two separate colours that have a minimum difference in LRV of 60 points and comply with
requirements in B.3.
NOTE 2 60-point difference in LRV achieves contrast against varying lighting conditions and backgrounds.
iii. If the obstacle can be approached from two different directions the requirement shall be met on each
side that the obstacle can be approached.
iv. These markings are not required along transparent walls if passengers are protected from impact by
other means – for example, by handrails or continuous benches.
5.2.4 Furniture and free-standing devices
All items of furniture and free-standing devices at stations shall contrast with their background:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A or
— According to ISO 21542:2021 or
— According to appropriate national or regional standards.
5.2.5 Handrails
Handrails shall contrast with the surrounding wall colours:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
NOTE The surrounding wall is the surface immediately behind the handrail.
Where used, stainless steel handrails shall meet the appropriate requirements of Clause 6.
5.2.6 Platform danger area and edge of platform
1) The danger area of a platform commences at the rail side edge of the platform and is defined as the
area where passengers are not allowed to stand when trains are passing or arriving.
— The danger area shall be according to National Standards or Guidance.
2) The boundary of the danger area, furthest from the rail side edge of the platform, shall have visual
marking and tactile walking surface indicators.
— The tactile walking surface indicators shall be according to EN 16584-2:2025.
3) The visual marking shall be a contrasting, slip resistant, warning line with a minimum width of
100 mm:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A;
— The surface, with which the warning line shall contrast, is the immediately adjacent area of the
platform;
— Slip resistance shall be assessed according to EN 16584-3:2025.
4) The width shall be measured horizontally and perpendicular to the track.
5) The rail side edge of the platform shall contrast with the darkness of the gap.
NOTE As this refers to the gap, it assumes that a train is present and casting a shadow, so the gap is therefore
dark and assumed to have an LRV of 0.
6) The LRV of the rail side edge of the platform shall be defined and measured according to Clause 6
(Methodologies for assessing contrast).
7) The LRV of the rail side edge of the platform shall be greater than 30 points.
8) If the gap is illuminated by artificial lighting from below, 30 points difference to that gap shall be
demonstrated.
5.2.7 End of platform
Where there is no physical barrier that prevents public access, then the end of the platform shall have a
visual marking and tactile walking surface indicators with an attention pattern indicating a hazard.
— Contrast of the visual marking shall be assessed according to Annex A;
— The tactile walking surface indicators shall be assessed according to EN 16584-2:2025;
— For contrast requirement for the barrier this shall be assessed according to free-standing device,
5.2.4.
5.3 Rolling stock
5.3.1 Seats
Handholds or other items that can be used for personal stability shall contrast with the seat:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— The surface of the seat that the handhold shall contrast against is the surface that can be viewed in
the normal use of that handhold i.e. the front and/or back of the seats depending on the application
see Figure 3.
Key
1 handhold contrasting to back and front of seats
Figure 3 — Contrast of handholds to background
In seating areas with fixed longitudinal seats, handrails shall contrast with the vehicle interior
surroundings:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A
— The vehicle interior surroundings are the surfaces behind or adjacent to the seat as viewed in the
direction of normal use, these surfaces shall include the wall panels and the seat covering but not the
windows or armrests see Figure 4.
Figure 4 — Contrast of handrails to background
5.3.2 Doors
5.3.2.1 General
Door controls, whether manual, pushbuttons or other devices, shall contrast with the surface on which
they are mounted:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— Where the control is a manual device see Figure 1 for examples.
— Where the control is a pushbutton for the vehicle exterior door (internal and external control) it shall
be assessed as the pressel, the illuminating halo and the bezel combined. These elements shall have
2 2
a minimum area of 5 000 mm of which 3 250 mm as a minimum shall contrast with the surrounding
surface. See Figure 5. In all cases the bezel (C) shall be part of the contrasting area.
Key
A pressel
B illuminated halo
C bezel
Figure 5 — Key elements of an example door control pushbutton
— The contrasting surface shall be defined as 100 mm in at least two directions (at least 90° apart) from
the edge of the control bezel outwards over at least the full width of that control (the resultant area
shall be at least 20 000 mm ), see Figure 6a, Figure 6b and Figure 6c.and Figure 1a and Figure 1b.
Dimensions in millimetres
a) b) c)
Key
1 pressel
2 bezel, total area of pressel and bezel min. 5 000 mm
3 contrasting surface, min. 20 000 mm , min. 100 mm in at least two directions from control
NOTE The text on the control is an example only.
Figure 6 — Examples of contrasting door controls
5.3.3 Exterior doors
1) All exterior passenger doorways shall be marked on the outside in a way that gives a contrast to the
vehicle body-side surrounding them:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— The contrasting surface shall be as defined in Annex B.
NOTE 1 Examples of compliant and non-compliant marking of the doors are shown in Annex B.
2) From the inside of the vehicle the position of external doorways shall clearly be marked by use of
contrast on the flooring adjacent to the doorway, as compared with the rest of the flooring of the
vehicle:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— The flooring adjacent to each doorway shall as a minimum be assessed as the clear width of the
external doorways and for a minimum depth of 200 mm and shall contrast with the adjacent
floor in the passenger areas of that vehicle – as shown in Figure 7a) and Figure 7b), but can also
be the complete vestibule floor – as shown in Figure 8a) and Figure 8b).
— If entrance steps are present, then Figure 9 and Figure 10 show the minimum contrasting
flooring.
NOTE 2 The rest of the flooring in the vehicle is the primary flooring in the saloon area not the toilet etc.
a) corridor b) aisle
Key
1 contrasting floor area
2 rest of the flooring of the vehicle
3 contrasting band
a 200 mm minimum
Figure 7 — Examples of minimum doorway position markings (without entrance steps)
a) corridor b) aisle
Key
1 contrasting floor area (200 mm deep minimum)
2 rest of the flooring of the vehicle
3 contrasting band
Figure 8 — Examples of alternative doorway position markings
a) with one entrance step b) with two entrance steps
Key
1 contrasting floor area (200 mm deep minimum)
2 rest of the flooring of the vehicle
3 contrasting band
4 step surface covering
NOTE Contrasting band is only mandatory for the first and last step.
Figure 9 — Examples of minimum doorway position markings (with entrance steps)
Key
1 contrasting floor area
a 200 mm minimum
Figure 10— Example of minimum doorway position marking (with entrance steps)
5.3.4 Interior doors
If more than 75 % of a door’s visible surface is made of a transparent material, it shall be clearly marked
with visual indicators that:
i. Consist of a minimum of two prominent bands made of signs, logos, emblems or decorative features,
examples of compliant and non-compliant marking of the doors are shown in Annex B.
ii. Shall be at a height between 1 500 mm and 1 650 mm for the upper band, and between 850 mm and
1 000 mm for the lower band.
— Measured vertically from the walking floor.
iii. Shall provide contrast over the entire width of the door.
— Contrast to the background shall be assessed according to Annex A and shall be achieved on both
sides of the door
— The background is the area behind the door as viewed in the direction of passenger movement.
— The visual bands shall either contrast as defined in Annex A to the background or the self-
contrasting bands shall consist of two separate colours that have a minimum difference in LRV
of 60 points. See Figure B.10 and Figure B.11 in Annex B.
— The 60-point difference in LRV achieves contrast against varying lighting conditions and
backgrounds across the full width of the transparent area,
— The share of each of both contrasting colours shall be at least 30 % of the total surface of the
band.
— The total share of these two colours shall be at least 75 % of the total surface of the band.
— The grid dimension of contrasting colours shall be more than 30 mm. See Figure B.15 in Annex B.
iv. If the band is formed of signs, logos, emblems or decorative features then the remaining transparent
part of the band shall form no more than 25 % of the band.
— These bands shall be a minimum of 100 mm high.
— Measured vertically from the walking floor.
5.3.5 Toilets (standard and universal)
1) Any control device, including flushing system shall contrast with the background surface:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— The controls to be assessed under this requirement are:
— Door controls (open, close and lock).
— Toilet flush control.
— Controls for soap dispenser, hand dryer and water dispenser.
i. These controls, if pushbuttons shall include the pressel, the illuminating halo (if fitted)
and the bezel. More than one pressel may be fitted to a bezel e.g. open and close pressels
on a bezel. See Figure 11.
ii. The contrasting surface shall be defined as 100 mm in at least two directions, at least
90° apart, from the edge of the control outwards over the full width of that control. The
resultant area shall be at least 20 000 mm , see Figure 11.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
2 2
1 control area min. 5 000 mm of which 3 250 mm as a minimum shall contrast with the surrounding
surface.
2 contrasting surface or bezel, min. 20 000 mm , min. 100 mm in at least two directions from control.
NOTE The text on the control is an example only.
Figure 11 — Example of contrast of toilet door / flush controls
2) The toilet seat and lid, and any handrails shall contrast with the background:
— Contrast shall be assessed according to Annex A.
— The background shall be the surfaces adjacent to the toilet seat/lid, seen in every direction of
normal approach. These surfaces include the floor, the wall panels and the sanitary ware (due to
the space constraints in a standard toilet, the normal approach shall see the toilet seat/lid against
the floor rather than the wall.)
— The background shall be the surfaces adjacent to the handrails, seen in every direction of normal
approach.
NOTE In addition to the above requirements, it
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