Railway Applications — Track geometry quality Part 1

Scope

Defines the principal track geometry parameters — track gauge, longitudinal level, alignment, cross level and twist — and specifies minimum requirements for their measurement and analysis so that outputs from different track recording systems are comparable. It is the reference basis for track geometry quality assessment used by infrastructure managers, measuring-system suppliers and maintenance contractors; urban rail systems are excluded from its scope.

EN 13848-1 defines the principal parameters used to describe railway track geometry quality -- track gauge, longitudinal level, alignment, cross level and twist -- and specifies the minimum requirements for how these parameters must be measured and analysed so that results produced by different track recording systems remain comparable. It sets out the reference wavelength ranges and sampling requirements that measuring equipment must meet, giving infrastructure managers, track recording car operators and maintenance contractors a common technical basis for assessing the condition of the running surface. The standard explicitly excludes urban rail systems (metros, trams and similar light rail systems) from its scope, focusing on conventional and high-speed heavy rail networks. It forms part of a wider EN 13848 series, whose further parts address characteristic values for track geometry quality and the requirements for track recording vehicles, though this Part 1 alone defines the basic geometric parameters and measurement principles referenced throughout the series. The current edition in force is EN 13848-1:2019.