BS EN 15528:2021

What is BS EN 15528 about?  

BS EN 15528 specifies a line classification system to manage the interface between the load limits for rail vehicles and the payload limits for freight wagons and the vertical load-carrying capacity of a line. Also specifies methods of classification of existing and new lines of the heavy rail system and the categorization of rail vehicles. 

The line classification system takes into account parameters such as axle load (P), geometrical aspects relating to the spacing of axles, mass per unit length (p), speed and provides a transparent method for determining whether the vertical loading characteristics of vehicles are compatible with the load-carrying capacity of lines on the network. 

NOTE: BS EN 15528 does not apply to: 

• Assessments of compatibility based on the parameter axle load alone 
• Compatibility checks for cases where an additional dynamic analysis is required (for example according to EN 1991-2) 
• Requirements relating to the maximum total mass or maximum length of a train 
• The system used in Great Britain, where all lines and vehicles are classified in accordance with the RA (Route Availability) System  
• The publication of line categories. 

NOTE: The requirements of BS EN 15528 do not replace any regulations related to the running behaviour of vehicles described by the assessment quantities for running safety, track loading and ride characteristics (see EN 14363). 

Who is BS EN 15528 for? 

BS EN 15528 on railway applications is useful for: 

• Railway planning and operations authorities 
• Railway infrastructure regulatory bodies 
• Railway engineers 
• Mechanical engineers 

Why should you use BS EN 15528? 

The use of a classification system using line categories permits an easy understanding of the load-related compatibility of rail vehicles and infrastructure. BS EN 15528 specifies methods of classification of existing and new lines of the heavy rail system and the categorization of rail vehicles. 

BS EN 15528 provides guidelines on how to manage the interface between rail vehicles and the heavy rail network in a reliable and established manner, without imposing any constraints on either vehicles or infrastructure. 

BS EN 15528 enables you to ensure the static route compatibility between a rail vehicle and the heavy rail network with respect to the vertical load-carrying capacity. Altogether, BS EN 15302 lets you have a good control over the management and functioning of railway vehicles and its infrastructure. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 15528:2021 supersedes EN 15528:2015. BS EN 15528:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 15528:2015. These include: 

• All information about dynamic compatibility was deleted including Annexes C, D, E and P  
• For coaches and multiple units an additional categorization is introduced for different values of standing passengers per m2 in the load case Design mass with exceptional payload (MXD) according to EN 15663:2017+A1:2018 
• Clarification of the informative character of Annex C (Annex F in the previous version) about speeds which do not require additional dynamic compatibility checks