SIST-TS CEN/TS 17843:2022

Railway applications - Investigations on vehicles to quantify track loading in curve radii below 250 m

This document covers the following aspects:
—   Definition of a common method to assess track loading of a heavy rail vehicle for lines of 1 435 mm track gauge in curve radii below 250 m (test zone 5), which is not part of the acceptance testing according to EN 14363. This method is restricted to vehicles with maximum vertical wheelset forces up to 225 kN. It includes consideration of:
—   on-track measurements with instrumented wheelsets;
—   on-track measurements with local measurement sites;
—   simulation including description of requirements for use;
—   recalculation of EN 14363 results including description of requirements for use;
—   simple parameter check (dispensation from assessment of track loading).
—   Description of available knowledge of running behaviour of existing vehicles.
—   Description of observed track wear and damage related to traffic mix, track loading results of vehicles and axle loads related to track design.
The decision which railway line requires these tests is not part of this specification.
This specification can support national regulations in this field but does not affect directly existing national regulations such as [4] and [5].

Bahnanwendungen - Untersuchungen an Fahrzeugen zur Quantifizierung des Fahrverhaltens in Bogenradien unter 250 m

Dieses Dokument behandelt die folgenden Aspekte:
   Festlegung eines gemeinsamen Verfahrens zur Beurteilung der Fahrwegbeanspruchung eines Vollbahnfahrzeugs auf Strecken mit 1 435 mm Spurweite und Bogenradien unter 250 m (Prüfbereich 5), das nicht Teil der Zulassungsversuche nach EN 14363 ist. Dieses Verfahren ist auf Fahrzeuge mit maximalen Radsatzaufstandskräften bis zu 225 kN beschränkt. Das beinhaltet die Berücksichtigung von:
   Messungen während der Streckenfahrt mit Messradsätzen;
   Messungen während der Streckenfahrt mit lokalen Messanlagen;
   Simulation einschließlich Beschreibung der Anforderungen für die Anwendung;
   Neuberechnung der Ergebnisse nach EN 14363 einschließlich Beschreibung der Anforderungen für die Anwendung;
   einfache Parameterprüfung (Befreiung von der Beurteilung der Fahrwegbeanspruchung);
   Beschreibung der vorhandenen Kenntnisse zum Fahrverhalten bestehender Fahrzeuge;
   Beschreibung des beobachteten Verschleißes und der beobachteten Beschädigung der Gleise in Bezug auf die Verkehrszusammenstellung, die Ergebnisse der Fahrwegbeanspruchung von Fahrzeugen und die Radsatzlasten in Verbindung mit der Gleisbemessung.
Die Entscheidung, welche Bahnstrecke geprüft werden muss, ist nicht Teil dieser Spezifikation.
Diese Spezifikation kann nationale Vorschriften in diesem Bereich unterstützen, aber wirkt sich nicht direkt auf vorhandene nationale Vorschriften wie [4] und [5] aus.

Applications ferroviaires - Investigations sur les véhicules pour quantifier la sollicitation de la voie dans les courbes de rayon inférieur à 250 m

Železniške naprave - Preiskave vozil za ocenjevanje tračnih obremenitev pri tirnih polmerih do 250 m

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 13-Jul-2022
• Publication Date: 09-Oct-2022
• ICS: 45.060.01 - Railway rolling stock in general
• Technical Committee: IŽNP - Reilway applications
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 06-Oct-2022
• Due Date: 11-Dec-2022
• Completion Date: 10-Oct-2022
• Directive: 2008/57/EC - Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (Recast)
• Mandate: M/483 - Mandate for programming and standardisation addressed to the European standardisation bodies under directive 2008/57/EC in the field of the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union
• Ref Project: CEN/TS 17843:2022 - Railway applications - Investigations on vehicles to quantify track loading in curve radii below 250 m

Overview

CEN/TS 17843:2022 - "Railway applications: Investigations on vehicles to quantify track loading in curve radii below 250 m" - is a CEN Technical Specification that defines a common method to assess track loading for standard-gauge (1 435 mm) heavy rail vehicles in tight curves (test zone 5). The document is intended to complement EN 14363 by covering curve radii below 250 m and is restricted to vehicles with maximum vertical wheelset forces up to 225 kN.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and limits
  • Applies to 1 435 mm gauge and vehicles with vertical wheelset forces ≤ 225 kN.
  • Supports, but does not replace, national regulations (examples referenced for Switzerland and Austria).
• Test methods
  • Instrumented wheelsets are the normal (mandatory) measuring method.
  • Alternatives include on‑track local measurement sites, validated simulation, recalculation of EN 14363 results, and a simple parameter check (dispensation from full assessment).
• Test zone 5 categorization
  • Three categories (5a, 5b, 5c) cover different curve-radius ranges:
    • 5a: 200 m ≤ R < 250 m
    • 5b: 150 m ≤ R < 250 m
    • 5c: 100 m ≤ R < 250 m
  • Specific minimum and mean radius and cant‑deficiency limits are defined per category.
• Test conduct and conditions
  • Tests follow EN 14363 requirements where applicable, with adaptations for tighter curves.
  • Realistic operating conditions must be used (coupling/traction, lubrication). Flange lubrication is acceptable for tests in small radii.
• Assessment and evaluation
  • Adjusted limit values (see Annex C) are used because test conditions are more severe than EN 14363.
  • Use of multiple regression and validated simulation models is recommended to assess influence of operational parameters.
  • Recalculation using Y/Q per EN 14363 can be used to normalize friction effects.

Practical applications and users

• Infrastructure managers assessing introduction of new rolling stock on routes with curve radii < 250 m.
• Rolling stock manufacturers and testing labs performing on-track validation or simulation-based assessments.
• Regulators and national standards bodies seeking a harmonized method to support national rules on tight-curve operation.
• Maintenance planners and asset managers using measured track‑loading data to predict wear and plan interventions.

Related standards

• EN 14363:2016+A1:2018 - Testing and simulation for acceptance of running characteristics (baseline tests referenced throughout).
• EN 15663 - Vehicle reference masses.
• EN 50215 and EN 13803 - referenced for clearance and infrastructure compatibility.
• National rules cited in the specification (examples for Switzerland and Austria) remain applicable where relevant.

CEN/TS 17843:2022 provides a practical, harmonized framework for quantifying wheel–rail forces and track loading in tight curves, supporting safer vehicle deployment and better-informed infrastructure management.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2022
Železniške naprave - Preiskave vozil za ocenjevanje tračnih obremenitev pri tirnih
polmerih do 250 m
Railway applications - Investigations on vehicles to quantify track loading in curve radii
below 250 m
Bahnanwendungen - Untersuchungen an Fahrzeugen zur Quantifizierung des
Fahrverhaltens in Bogenradien unter 250 m
Applications ferroviaires - Investigations sur les véhicules pour quantifier la sollicitation
de la voie dans les courbes de rayon inférieur à 250 m
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 17843:2022
ICS:
45.060.01 Železniška vozila na splošno Railway rolling stock in
general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TS 17843
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
September 2022
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 45.060.01
English Version
Railway applications - Investigations on vehicles to
quantify track loading in curve radii below 250 m
Applications ferroviaires - Investigations sur les Bahnanwendungen - Untersuchungen an Fahrzeugen
véhicules pour quantifier la sollicitation de la voie dans zur Quantifizierung der Fahrwegbeanspruchung in
les courbes de rayon inférieur à 250 m Bogenradien unter 250 m
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 15 August 2022 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to
submit their comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS
available promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in
parallel to the CEN/TS) until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

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
© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 17843:2022 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Deviation from requirements . 6
5 Test requirements . 6
5.1 General. 6
5.2 Test extent . 6
5.3 Test vehicle . 6
5.4 Test conditions . 6
5.5 Assessment of test results and documentation . 6
6 Test zone 5 – dynamic performance assessment . 7
6.1 General. 7
6.2 Choice of measuring method . 7
6.3 Performing on-track tests . 7
6.4 Measured quantities and measuring points . 8
6.5 Assessment quantities and limit values . 8
6.6 Test evaluation . 9
6.7 Dispensation from tests, reduced test extent . 10
Annex A (informative) Running Safety and Track Loading in Curves with R < 250 m . 11
Annex B (informative) Example for a simplified method using simulation validated for
application under test zone 5 conditions . 15
Annex C (informative) Example of limit values . 17
Annex D (informative) Simple parameter check (dispensation from assessment of track
loading). 18
Bibliography . 20
European foreword
This document (CEN/TS 17843:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 256 “Railway
applications”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
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.
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 announce this Technical Specification: 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
EN 14363 defines necessary tests for assessing running behaviour for vehicle homologation. In the
acceptance process the range of curve radii tested during on-track testing is defined with R = 250 m. A
min
vehicle accepted according to the requirements of this document is able to be operated on all standard
gauge tracks complying with EN 13803 [1], which means with R =150 m. Beyond that, operation is also
min
permitted even in smaller curve radii. It is state of the art that the minimum curve radius a vehicle is able
to negotiate is validated by tests as described in EN 50215:2009, 9.9.2 [2]. These tests cover verification
of adequate clearances for operation of the vehicle under specified limited cases (curvature, cant, etc.) in
all load conditions and failure modes of the suspension. Running safety in curve radii below 250 m is
covered by these tests as well as the proof of safety against derailment in twisted track according to
EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, 6.1 (see A.1).
Regardless of the topic ‘curve radius’ it is stated in the EN 14363 that “experience over many years has
demonstrated that vehicles complying with this document can be operated safely on infrastructure with
conditions more severe than the target test conditions, if the current general operating rules are applied.”
General operating rules, including parameters like cant deficiency or axle load, have an influence on the
physical effects that are intended to be controlled by this specification.
Most European infrastructure managers operate vehicles accepted according to EN 14363 without
requesting additional on-track testing with curve radii lower than 250 m. Despite this, they have been
running safely and reliably for many decades.
Depending on experience from some infrastructure managers, facing damages on tracks with curve radii
smaller than 250 m after introduction of new rolling stock and modifications of operating conditions
national rules were developed to control this field of operation, for example in Austria [5], the
Czech Republic (applying also [5]) and Switzerland [4]. The requirements of these national rules differ in
detail and make bilateral acceptance unfeasible.
Therefore, this specification has been developed.
NOTE The experience of many countries over many decades shows that for safe operation with an acceptable
level of track loading on the whole network it is sufficient to assess vehicles according to EN 14363. It is not the
intention of this specification to initiate new national rules in these fields.
1 Scope
This document covers the following aspects:
— Definition of a common method to assess track loading of a heavy rail vehicle for lines of 1 435 mm
track gauge in curve radii below 250 m (test zone 5), which is not part of the acceptance testing
according to EN 14363. This method is restricted to vehicles with maximum vertical wheelset forces
up to 225 kN. It includes consideration of:
— on-track measurements with instrumented wheelsets;
— on-track measurements with local measurement sites;
— simulation including description of requirements for use;
— recalculation of EN 14363 results including description of requirements for use;
— simple parameter check (dispensation from assessment of track loading).
— Description of available knowledge of running behaviour of existing vehicles.
— Description of observed track wear and damage related to traffic mix, track loading results of vehicles
and axle loads related to track design.
The decision which railway line requires these tests is not part of this specification.
This specification can support national regulations in this field but does not affect directly existing
national regulations such as [4] and [5].
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 14363:2016+A1:2018, Railway applications - Testing and Simulation for the acceptance of running
characteristics of railway vehicles - Running Behaviour and stationary tests
EN 15663, Railway applications — Vehicle reference masses
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
test zone 5
combination of test conditions regarding speed, cant deficiency and curve radius for curve radii lower
than 250 m for which the assessment of the running behaviour is required according to national rules
Note 1 to entry: The relevant lines for which test zone 5 testing is required are specified for Switzerland in [4] and
for Austria in [5]. In Czech Republic the application of [5] is required for the whole network.
3.2
test zone 5 category
subset of test conditions covering different operating conditions according to the value of the smallest
dedicated curve radius
4 Deviation from requirements
If deviating from some points of the requirements of this specification for a particular assessment, these
deviations shall be reported and explained. Then the influence on the assessment of the vehicle in terms
of the acceptance criteria shall be evaluated and recorded. The outcome of this study shall be considered
as an integral part of the requirements of this specification when applied to the assessment process of
the vehicle, as long as evidence can be furnished that compliance with the requirements is at least the
equivalent to that ensured by complying with these rules.
5 Test requirements
5.1 General
The test requirements of EN 14363 apply, except where deviations are given below.
5.2 Test extent
The investigation can be restricted to normal mode. Fault modes are not relevant for track loading
because they occur only for short time in operation.
5.3 Test vehicle
The requirements for the test vehicle laid down in EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, 5.3 (selection and status of
the vehicle, loading conditions and distribution of static wheel forces) apply also to the tests specified in
this document. For vehicles carrying payload, testing may be restricted to the specified loaded condition.
Deviating from EN 14363 it is acceptable to activate wheel flange lubrication because in curve radii below
250 m experience shows that the outer rails have always to be lubricated to avoid excessive wear on
wheels and rails.
NOTE If a vehicle is tested for operation on a line that is not lubricated by other vehicles or track side
lubrication devices, testing without flange lubrication could be useful.
5.4 Test conditions
The test conditions of this specification should cover real operating conditions taking into account the
more severe influence of coupling and traction conditions in this range of curve radii. To achieve realistic
operating modes while testing, coupling friction conditions on buffer plates and coupling conditions
should be representative (for example buffers to be greased properly).
According to EN 14363 “the test vehicle should be positioned in the test train in its usual position. If the
coupler system is expected to introduce significant external forces on the test vehicle, then loose couplers
should be considered” and “the magnitude of tractive and braking effort applied may influence the track
forces. The significance of this effect shall be considered in the assessment and the test conditions”.
5.5 Assessment of test results and documentation
The requirements for assessment of test results and the documentation of the tests laid down in
EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, 5.4 and 5.5 apply also to the tests specified in this document.
Due to the fact that the test conditions of this document are more severe than the test conditions in the
EN 14363 adjusted limit values have to be used for the assessment (for example, see Annex C).
To achieve comparable wheel-rail-friction-coefficients in the assessment of measuring results it is
possible to recalculate the estimated maximum values using (Y/Q) according to EN 14363.
i
6 Test zone 5 – dynamic performance assessment
6.1 General
The aim of the tests is to quantify track loading of vehicles in curve radii below 250 m in a comparable
way in order to cover particularities, which may not be covered by extrapolation of the results from tests
according to EN 14363:2016+A1:2018. The general approach of this specification is to refer to test
requirements of EN 14363 in order to enable reasonable application of both documents.
The tests according to this specification provide information that supports the definition of operating
conditions for the vehicle on different networks.
To achieve assessment quantities under different operation conditions it is proposed to use multiple
regression. It should be noted, that the use of simulation models could help to understand the impact of
different influencing parameters and therefore to improve the reliability of the assessment.
6.2 Choice of measuring method
Instrumented wheelsets (normal measuring method) are mandatory for testing according to this
specification. Deviating from this it is allowed to apply Annex B, if the vehicle is allowed to be tested with
the simplified measuring method according to EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, 7.2.2. Nevertheless, it is
recommended to use existing instrumented wheelsets if available.
6.3 Performing on-track tests
6.3.1 General
The curve radii of existing networks operated in normal service go down to about 100 m. The tons per
year on these tracks are very different, but normally such extra narrow curves are located on regional
lines. These conditions lead to a wide range of test results. Therefore, test zone 5 is further categorised.
6.3.2 Test zone 5 categories and track sections
The test conditions in this specification are grouped in three categories defined in Table 1 (based on the
characteristics of the defined test lines in [4] and [5]).
The running conditions during tests (and also for numerical simulations) must respect the definitions for
the selected category in Table 1.
The test results achieved in category 5b cover the conditions of category 5a. The test results achieved in
category 5c cover the conditions of category 5a and 5b if the required maximum cant deficiency is
respected.
Table 1 — Target conditions for test zones and track sections
Test zone 5 Test zone 5 Test zone 5
Category a Category b Category c
Target test conditions
(exceptional case) (general case) (special case)
Covered range of radii 200 m ≤ R < 250 m 150 m ≤ R < 250 m 100 m ≤ R < 250 m
Minimum Curve Radius
R ≤ 240 m R ≤ 180 m R ≤ 130 m
min min min
included in tests
Mean curve radius R ≤ 245 m R ≤ 206 m R ≤ 180 m
m m m
Admissible cant deficiency
a
+10 130 mm 130 mm 110 mm
at
RR=
min0
Cant deficiency range 0 ≤ I ≤ 1,15 · I
adm
at least 3 track sections
1,05 · I ≤ I ≤ 1,15 · I
adm adm
Jointed track testing See 6.6.3.1
Geometric track quality No sections with single defects above 21 mm vertical and 18 mm
target level lateral
Requirements for
No requirements, but wheel/rail contact geometry shall be
wheel/rail contact
documented
geometry
Dry rails,
Wheel rail friction
conditions
rail flanges lubricated (concerning operation mode)
(see Note in 5.3)
Minimum number of
physical test sections
Length of track section 50 m ±10 m
Max. speed variation within
2 km/h
each track section
a
If the test in category 5c shall cover also 5b and 5a it is recommended to test with I =130 mm.
adm
6.3.3 Test operation
The test operation shall be performed according to EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, 7.3.4.
6.4 Measured quantities and measuring points
For test zone 5 tests the measuring quantities and measuring points of the normal method according to
EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, 7.4 shall be applied.
6.5 Assessment quantities and limi
...