2. General architecture of a railway braking system

The particular structure of a rail convoy, as mentioned above, calls for the implementation of a specific braking architecture. However, this architecture can be broken down into several technological solutions, adapted to the type of operation (high-speed, freight, metro, tramway, etc.), and consequently to the type of vehicle involved, and to the need to ensure interoperability between vehicles, which has led to the implementation of specific standardization systems.

From the very beginnings of the railroads, in the first half of the 19th century, the main constraints to be met by a braking system were (§ 1