What is BS EN 13848‑1 - Characterization of track geometry about?
BS EN 13848 is a European Standard that discusses railway applications.
BS EN 13848‑1 is the first part in the multi-series of documents that is applicable to track geometry quality of railway applications.
BS EN 13848‑1 provides definitions for the principal track geometry parameters and specifies minimum requirements for measurement and the analysis methods.
Note: BS EN 13848‑1 does not apply to Urban Rail Systems.
Who is BS EN 13848‑1-Characterization of track geometry for?
BS EN 13848‑1 on the characterization of track geometry is applicable to:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of track recording vehicles/cars
- Manufacturers and suppliers of railway infrastructure equipment
- Railway management authorities
- Train operating companies (TOCs)
- Inspection and testing department
- Mechanical engineers
Why should you use BS EN 13848‑1- Characterization of track geometry?
Track recording cars or track geometry cars are used to check the geometric parameters of the railway track. In this regard, when measuring a track, track geometry recording systems help produce consistent and comparable results, regardless of the measuring speed and direction of travel.
BS EN 13848-1 aims to allow the comparability of the output of different measuring systems.
BS EN 13848-1 provides assessment of excursions in the vertical and lateral planes from the mean or designed geometrical characteristics of specified parameters which give rise to safety concerns or have a correlation with ride quality.
With the accurate measurements of parameters such as position, curve, alignment of track and smoothness, you can assure of safety and reliability of railway infrastructure.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13848‑1:2019 supersedes BS EN 13848‑1:2003+A1:2008, which is withdrawn. Apart from editorial revisions, the main changes with respect to the previous edition are listed below:
- Uncertainty and resolution values are exported to the relevant other parts (EN 13848-2, -3 and -4
- Addition of D0 domain
- New Annex A on decolouring
- Improvement of Annex B on mainly cyclic top and dip angle
- New Annex C and D on filtering and New Annex F on simulation
