EN 16587: Europe’s Blueprint For Accessible Rail Unveiled

Understanding EN 16587: A Technical Guide to Obstacle-Free Routes for PRM in Railway Infrastructure

EN 16587 is a European Standard that specifies the technical requirements for designing and constructing obstacle-free routes within railway infrastructure to ensure accessibility for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM). This standard is a critical component in creating an inclusive and equitable public transport system, providing a harmonised methodology to meet the legal accessibility requirements set forth by the Technical Specifications for Interoperability for Persons with Reduced Mobility (TSI PRM).

The primary goal of EN 16587 is to define a continuous, unobstructed path that allows all passengers, including wheelchair users, people with sensory impairments, and those with temporary mobility challenges, to navigate railway stations and platforms safely and independently. It covers all public areas from the station entrance to the boarding point of the train.

Core Principles of EN 16587

The standard is built upon several foundational principles aimed at achieving universal design within the railway environment. These principles guide every technical specification detailed within the document:

• Continuity: The obstacle-free route must be a continuous, unbroken path connecting all key points of a passenger’s journey within the station infrastructure.
• Independence: The design should enable PRM to use the infrastructure with minimal or no assistance, promoting dignity and self-reliance.
• Safety: All elements along the route must be designed to minimize risks such as slipping, tripping, or collision. This includes surface materials, lighting, and hazard warnings.
• Clarity: Information and wayfinding systems must be clear, consistent, and accessible to people with visual or cognitive impairments through features like high-contrast signage and tactile indicators.

Key Technical Requirements of an Obstacle-Free Route

EN 16587 provides detailed and measurable specifications for various elements of the infrastructure. Compliance with these technical points is essential for creating a truly accessible route.

Route Dimensions and Clearances

The physical space of the route is fundamental. The standard dictates precise minimum dimensions to accommodate wheelchairs and provide sufficient space for movement and passing.

• Minimum Width: The continuous clear width of a walkway must be at least 1.60 metres to allow a wheelchair user and a pedestrian to pass each other comfortably.
• Passing Places: On longer routes where the 1.60 m width cannot be maintained, passing places of at least 1.80 m wide and 2.00 m long must be provided at reasonable intervals.
• Turning Circles: A clear space with a diameter of at least 1.50 m is required to allow a wheelchair user to turn 180 degrees. This is critical at direction changes and in front of key facilities like lifts.
• Vertical Clearance: The minimum clear headroom along the entire route must be 2.30 metres to avoid any overhead obstructions.

Surfaces and Gradients

The ground surface is a critical safety and usability factor. It must be firm, stable, and slip-resistant under both wet and dry conditions.

• Gaps and Level Differences: Any gaps in the surface (e.g., between paving slabs) must not exceed 5 mm. Abrupt vertical level changes are not permitted; any change must be bevelled.
• Gradients (Ramps): Ramps are a key feature for overcoming changes in level. The preferred maximum gradient is 5% (1:20). In exceptional cases for short distances, a steeper gradient may be permitted, but it should not exceed 8% (1:12).
• Landings: Ramps must have level landings at the start and end, as well as intermediate landings for longer ramps. These landings must be at least 1.50 m long.
• Cross-fall: The cross-fall (slope perpendicular to the direction of travel) of a walkway should not exceed 2% (1:50) to ensure stability for wheelchair users.

Doors, Lifts, and Stairs

Access points and vertical circulation elements must be designed for ease of use by PRM.

• Doors: Doorsets on an obstacle-free route must have a minimum clear opening width of 0.90 m. If automatic, they must have sensors to prevent premature closing. Manual doors must have an opening force that is low enough for a PRM to operate.
• Lifts: Lifts are the primary means of accessible vertical travel. The standard specifies minimum car dimensions (typically 1.10 m x 1.40 m), clear door openings, control button height and design (including tactile markings), and the provision of audio and visual information.
• Stairs: While not part of the primary obstacle-free route for wheelchair users, stairs must be made safer for ambulant disabled people. This includes consistent riser heights, clear visual markings on step edges, and continuous handrails on both sides.

Information and Wayfinding

Clear and accessible information is vital for independent navigation.

• Signage: Signs must use internationally recognised pictograms (e.g., the International Symbol of Access). Text and symbols must have a high colour and luminance contrast with their background.
• Tactile Information: Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) should be used to provide warnings (e.g., at the top of stairs or platform edges) and directional guidance for visually impaired passengers.
• Lighting: The entire obstacle-free route must be adequately illuminated to a minimum average level, typically specified in lux, to ensure visibility and safety for all users.

Comparison of Key EN 16587 Specifications

The following table summarises some of the most critical technical specifications outlined in the standard, providing a clear reference for railway infrastructure designers and engineers.

Relationship with TSI PRM

EN 16587 is a “harmonised standard,” which means it provides a specific technical solution to meet the essential legal requirements of the TSI PRM (Commission Regulation (EU) No 1300/2014). While the TSI PRM sets the high-level objectives and functional requirements for accessibility on the trans-European rail network, EN 16587 provides the detailed, “how-to” implementation guide. Adhering to EN 16587 gives a “presumption of conformity” with the corresponding parts of the TSI, simplifying the process of regulatory approval for new or upgraded infrastructure projects.

Conclusion

EN 16587 is more than just a technical document; it is a blueprint for creating an inclusive, safe, and user-friendly railway environment. By mandating specific, measurable criteria for obstacle-free routes, the standard ensures that accessibility is considered a core engineering principle rather than an afterthought. Its implementation across Europe’s railway networks is a fundamental step towards guaranteeing that public transport is truly accessible to all members of society, enhancing mobility, independence, and the overall passenger experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about EN 16587