8. Conclusion

The special nature of the rail convoy, which can be made up of from one to several dozen vehicles, has necessitated the development of braking systems specific to this mode of transport. The evolution of technologies and the establishment of standards have led to the development of three main families of braking systems, each adapted to specific operating conditions.

While compressed-air brakes are still in the majority for obvious reasons of precedence, standardization and operating environment, direct electro-pneumatic brakes are tending to develop, particularly in urban transport. Advances in digital electronics and the introduction of high-performance, capacitive data exchange systems on board rail vehicles have led to the development of sophisticated control laws and principles, enabling optimum use of the different types of brake, and thus reducing maintenance...