Safer European railways

The electromagnetic interferences of trains themselves with multiple railway signalling and communication systems has become an important concern for rolling stock manufacturers and rail infrastructure operators. Available harmonised standards for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) amongst existing railways do not ensure interoperability between trains and signalling systems. This situation causes significant losses in time and resources for manufacturers, both in terms of system integration and track signalling and might be a risk for operators.

Funded by the EU, the project 'Test of rolling stock electromagnetic compatibility for cross-domain interoperability' (TREND) studied and designed the specified test sites and test setups that enables harmonising freight and passenger rolling stock approval tests for EMC focusing on interferences with communication and railway signalling systems, reproducing representative worst-case conditions for steady-state and transient short-circuit currents.

Dedicated 3D electromagnetic model have been dedicated to each one of the communication and signalling systems of the rolling stock and the rail infrastructure. There were classified in four categories: spot signalling (balise transmission module), direct-current track circuit, Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway (GSM-R) and broadcasting service systems. Thanks to the safety and availability requirements of these systems, TREND defined the test procedure that recreates representative worst cases, concerning the rolling stock electromagnetic emissions that could affect system interoperability, including transient phenomena. Actually the specific study of the transient signals into their time-frequency footprints has been the key stone of the scientific step forward of the project.

Railway transport is a key area of development from an economical and environmental point of view. The steps taken by TREND should help reducing the time to market of the equipped rolling stocks, improve the availability of railway infrastructure and passenger safety. Furthermore, enhanced interoperability and cross-operation between different rail networks is crucial to avoid obstacles found in the use of large European lines and of equipment from different suppliers.