Railway Infrastructure

Safe railway infrastructure with TÜV NORD

TÜV NORD Rail supports manufacturers and operators of railroad infrastructure systems in making their systems and components safer.

Our experts are competently at your side in the areas of testing and assessment of railway infrastructure systems, evaluation of safety management (ISA, CSM), EC conformity assessment, EC testing and commissioning - regardless of whether the tests are in accordance with national or international regulations and standards.

EC verification of infrastructure subsystems

Safe and intact infrastructure is essential for a functional transport system. To ensure the safety and interoperability of infrastructure assets, the EC verification procedure is an integral part of the commissioning process. This requires the demonstration of conformity with certain Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) for the three subsystems of the infrastructure:

  • The infrastructure subsystem per se (paths, tracks, traffic stations and tunnels)
  • The energy subsystem (overhead contact lines, energy supply systems and energy metering equipment, as well as the interface between overhead contact line and pantograph)
  • The track-side control-command and signalling subsystem (CCS)

TÜV NORD is at your side as a competent partner and, as a Notified Body (Notified Body for Railway Interoperability), takes over the EC testing and certification of all subsystems for you.

Applicable TSIs for the infrastructure, energy and CCS subsystems

The TSIs define a common European standard for interoperability and safety in high-speed and conventional traffic. Prior to bringing an infrastructure installation into service, conformity with the following TSIs shall be demonstrated by means of EC verification:

Infrastructure subsystem

  • TSI Infrastructure
  • TSI PRM (TSI for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility)
  • TSI SRT (Safety in Railway Tunnels)

Energy subsystem

  • Energy TSI (also ENE TSI)
  • SRT TSI

Control-Command and Signalling (CCS) Subsystem

  • TSI CCS On-Board
  • TSI CCS Track-side
  • TSI SRT

In order to integrate the numerous innovations of the railway systems, the TSIs are constantly updated and adapted. Our TÜV NORD experts are always informed about the latest status of the currently valid TSIs and are your reliable partner when it comes to conformity assessment.

EC conformity assessment, inspection, coaching - Our services at a glance

  • EC conformity assessment according to European interoperability directives (TSI INF, TSI PRM, TSI SRT, TSI ENE, TSI CCS On-Board, TSI CCS Track-side) for subsystems and components
  • EC certification as Notified Body for railway interoperability
  • Inspection as Notified Body according to § 5 (2) BOStrab for all operational systems (§§ 15 to 32 BOStrab)
  • Conformity assessment and certification according to European and international standards for components and procedures as an accredited inspection body according to ISO 17020
  • Laboratory tests for products and components Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) for railway infrastructure systems according to various recognized procedures (e.g. EN 50126 or CSM-RA)
  • Preparation of expert and damage reports
  • Inspection of tracks, points and traction current systems
  • Conducting seminars and training courses on the specialist areas of railway infrastructure and energy as well as the approval procedures (e.g. Interoperability Directive and TSI)

Your advantages in working with TÜV NORD in the field of infrastructure

Our competence

  • Independence and neutrality
  • Specialized experts with many years of experience
  • Experts with Federal Railway Authority recognition
  • Accredited inspection body according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 (DAkkS)
  • Notified Body (NoBo)
  • Designated Body (DeBo) Luxembourg
  • Interim DeBo (Germany)
  • Partner of the federal state and local authorities
  • Federal State Railway Supervisory Authority (LfB, TAB)
  • Associated partner of the German Notified Body (EBC)

Your benefit

  • Protection of people and the environment
  • Planning security
  • Avoidance of bad investments through timely consideration of individual subsystems
  • Cross-system expertise of a single supplier
  • Independent testing services based on the current status of national and international requirements
Do you have any questions or comments?
Please contact us!