EN 15663 specifies crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicles, including structural integrity, energy absorption, and safety performance.

Does EN 15663 apply to all train types?

Yes, it applies to passenger coaches, freight wagons, and locomotives to ensure safety in collisions.

How does EN 15663 relate to EN 13749?

EN 15663 complements EN 13749 by ensuring that braking systems and vehicle structures work together to protect passengers during emergency stops and collisions.

Protecting Lives on Rails: EN 15663 Crashworthiness Standard Explained

Q: Who should implement EN 15663?

Rolling stock manufacturers, railway operators, infrastructure managers, and certification authorities follow EN 15663 to ensure crashworthy and safe train designs.

EN 15663 specifies crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicles, defining energy absorption and structural integrity to protect passengers and cargo in collisions.

Protecting Lives on Rails: EN 15663 Crashworthiness Standard Explained

November 29, 2023 5:40 am

What Is EN 15663?

EN 15663 is a European standard that defines crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicles.
It establishes rules for structural integrity, energy absorption, and safety performance to minimize passenger and cargo injuries during collisions.

Importance of EN 15663 in Railway Safety

Railway vehicle crashworthiness is critical for protecting human life and cargo during accidents.
EN 15663 ensures that vehicle structures absorb impact energy efficiently and maintain survivable spaces for occupants, supporting safe train operations.

Specifies structural integrity requirements for rolling stock
Defines energy absorption limits and crash scenarios
Ensures protection for passengers and cargo
Supports compliance with European interoperability and safety standards

Scope and Technical Coverage

The standard applies to all types of railway vehicles, including passenger coaches, freight wagons, and locomotives.
It integrates with braking, maintenance, and track standards to enhance overall operational safety.

Crash energy management and absorption zones
Structural reinforcement and design guidelines
Collision scenarios and simulation methods
Integration with EN 13749 braking and EN 16729-1 maintenance
Verification and testing procedures for vehicle safety

Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Description	Operational Impact
Energy Absorption	Ability of vehicle structures to absorb collision energy	Reduces passenger injuries and damage to cargo
Structural Integrity	Resistance to deformation under impact	Maintains survivable space and vehicle stability
Crashworthiness Zones	Designated areas for impact absorption	Directs forces away from passenger compartments
Testing and Verification	Procedures to validate crashworthiness performance	Ensures compliance with European safety standards

Relationship with Other Standards

EN 15663 complements EN 13749 (braking), EN 16729-1 (maintenance), and EN 15273 (track gauge) to ensure that rolling stock provides maximum safety during collisions.
It aligns with TSI Rolling Stock and UIC crashworthiness guidelines.

Supports EN 13749 braking performance for emergency scenarios
Integrates with EN 16729-1 maintenance to ensure safety systems are functional
Aligns with TSI Rolling Stock and European interoperability rules

Who Uses EN 15663?

The standard is applied by rolling stock manufacturers, railway operators, infrastructure managers, and certification authorities to ensure crashworthy vehicle designs and operational safety.