Rolling stock homologation: an increasingly complex issue

Let's recall the definition of the term "homologation": certification that a product conforms to a standard or regulation. Nowadays, homologation of a rail vehicle requires ever greater rigor and a perfect knowledge of national and European standards. Incorrect application of standards, or an approximate interpretation of standards, will automatically lead to delays and higher development costs.

Railway vehicles cannot be designed independently of their infrastructure. Moreover, vehicles can be of different types, capable of transporting goods or passengers, while running on the same infrastructure. Since the birth of railroads in the early 19th century, these two components have been in a state of perpetual evolution, which is why standards are also constantly evolving.

As shown in figure