ČSN EN 14363

Acceptable running characteristics of a railway vehicle (hereafter called vehicle) are essential for a safe and economic operation of a railway system. They are related to: - the vehicle, - the operating conditions, - the characteristics of the infrastructure (track layout design and track quality) and - the contact conditions of the wheel/rail interface. The objective is to quantify the vehicle's performance under known representative conditions of operation and infrastructure. This standard describes methods to assess the vehicle performance in the following areas: - safety against derailment on twisted track (see 6.1); - running safety under longitudinal compressive forces in s-shaped curves (see 6.2); - evaluation of the torsional coefficient (see 6.3); - determination of displacement characteristics (see 6.4); - loading of the diverging branch of a switch (see 6.5); - running safety in curved crossings (see 6.6); - running safety, track loading and ride characteristics (see Clause 7). The vehicle performance is assessed in two stages. Usually in the first stage the basic characteristics and low speed behaviour are investigated before first runs on the line under controlled operating conditions. In the second stage the running behaviour is assessed. The assessment of a vehicle according to the elements listed above can be performed either by physical testing, numerical simulation, calculation or comparison with a known solution (dispensation). Details about the requirements relating to the choice of the appropriate assessment method are given in this document.