**What is BS EN 16431 - Hollow sleepers and bearers for Vignoles rail about?**

Hollow sleepers provide protection against accidental damage to cross-track cables and the associated costs of reinstatement.

BS EN 16431 focuses on railway applications and discusses best practices for hollow sleepers and bearers. BS EN 16431 defines technical criteria and control procedures that are satisfied by hollow sleepers and bearers used in ballasted track with Vignole rails. The hollow sleepers and bearers designed for the ballasted track can also be used in the ballastless track. In this case, the requirements are defined by the customer.

**Who is BS EN 16431 - Hollow sleepers and bearers for Vignoles rail for?**

BS EN 16431 on hollow sleepers and bearers for Vignoles rail is useful for:

Relevant railway authorities / Train operating companies (TOCs)
Owners and managers of the rail transport networks
Contractors
Infrastructure managers 
Project managers
Manufacturers and suppliers of hollow sleepers and bearers / components
Product design engineers
Railway engineers
Quality control and testing authorities
Railway infrastructure regulatory bodies

**Why should you use BS EN 16431 - Hollow sleepers and bearers for Vignoles rail?**

Hollow sleepers safeguard cross-track wires from accidental damage and the accompanying expenses of reinstatement, and they are now the most cost-effective UTX (under track crossing) option available.

BS EN 16431 provides guidance on general requirements, functional requirements, design requirements, and environmental requirements for hollow sleepers and bearers for Vignoles rail. In addition, BS EN 16431 guides you with environmental test standards, acceptance criteria for homologation, and requirements for interfaces with mechanical equipment in case of an integrated system.

BS EN 16431 provides you with electrical, mechanical, chemical, and corrosion approval tests. These tests provide assurance of the capability of hollow sleepers and bearers to resist repetitive loading and provide sufficient durability.

BS EN 16431 also provides tests for the fastening system and interface for assessing the long-term performance of the fastening system and interface.

Complying with the standardized design requirements recommended by BS EN 16431, you can ensure safety and reliability in the operational efficiency of the overall railway infrastructure while improving service life for track systems. BS EN 16431 contributes towards mitigating hazards and keeping commuters safe.

BS EN 16431:2014

Railway applications. Track. Hollow sleepers and bearers

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 Jul 2014