TÜV NORD and DB Systemtechnik are assessing newly-designed carriages and locomotives for the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt-Munich route on behalf of the rail vehicle manufacturer Škoda, based in the Czech Republic. The assessment is part of the national and European approval process and is carried out in cooperation with the notified body Eisenbahn-Cert at the Federal Railway Authority (EBA), the German Federal Railway Authority (EBA).
Škoda Transportation and Škoda Vagonka will supply locomotives and double-decker carriages for local rail services on the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt-Munich (NIM) route. Commissioning is planned for 2016. In order for this to occur, the newly-designed trains require an EC Certification of Conformity according to the EU Interoperability Directive and also a national operating approval from the EBA. Škoda applied for the EC Certificates of Conformity from the notified body Eisenbahn-Cert in Germany. Eisenbahn-Cert has also taken over the function of the interim DeBo (Designated Body) within the national procedure.
The prerequisite for both the EC Certificate of Conformity and the national approval is fulfilment of a comprehensive Catalogue of Specifications. In the European process, these are the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). In the national procedure, the EBA requirements additionally apply.
The task of TÜV NORD and DB Systemtechnik is to establish on behalf of Škoda Vagonka and Škoda Transportation if these requirements are adhered to in the case of the double-decker carriages and locomotives. The main focus of the work performed by TÜV NORD is on the assessment of test reports of the software, the acoustics and the brakes, along with examination of the structure and strength of the vehicles and the fire protection of the double-decker carriages; the fire protection of the locomotives will be investigated by TÜV Süd.
In addition, the experts from TÜV NORD will evaluate the functional safety of the new train. This is of particular importance for the safety assessment, as it considers the interactions between the individual system components and their central control system. The experts from DB Systemtechnik are above all concerned with aspects of running gear technology and derailment resistance, aerodynamics and ease of access for persons with limited mobility.
About TÜV NORD GROUP
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industrial Services, Mobility, IT and Training. TÜV NORD GROUP occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of natural resources and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Excellence for your business”.
About DB Systemtechnik GmbH
With a workforce of approx. 800 employees, DB Systemtechnik is the largest European competence centre for rail technology. The company can offer certified testing and engineering services at both national and European level.
www.db-systemtechnik.com