Railway Engineering Standards: May 2025 Monthly Overview (Part 1)

Looking back at May 2025, the Railway Engineering sector experienced a particularly productive month in standardization, with five significant standards published covering diverse aspects of system management, infrastructure, and safety. These releases addressed the evolving needs of urban guided transport systems, machinery used in rail infrastructure, and specialized installations such as cableways—reflecting a broadening focus on both technological advancement and comprehensive safety management. This detailed overview serves as a retrospective guide for professionals aiming to maintain best practices, regulatory conformity, and operational efficiency. For those who may have missed these key updates—or who seek analysis and implementation context—this summary provides essential catch-up and insight.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 marked a substantial step forward for Railway Engineering across Europe and beyond, with five new or extensively revised standards entering the sector. The month’s publications touched on two key themes:

• Modernization of Urban Rail Systems: With urban rail systems becoming critical pillars of sustainable city transport, two new standards (EN IEC 62290-1:2025 and EN IEC 62290-2:2025) updated foundational principles and defined new functional requirements for Urban Guided Transport Management and Command/Control Systems (UGTMS).
• Emphasis on Machinery and Infrastructure Safety: With the revision and release of standards such as EN 15955-1:2025, EN 15955-2:2025, and EN 17639:2025, attention turned to the technical performance and safety of specialized equipment, both on track and in cableway environments.

Compared to typical patterns, May 2025 placed greater emphasis on system integration, interoperability, and the safe operation of rail-bound machinery. The revised editions further indicate a sector-wide push toward harmonization and clarity, supporting authorities and manufacturers in an environment of increasing automation and infrastructure complexity.

Standards Published This Month

EN IEC 62290-2:2025 - Functional Requirements Specification for Urban Guided Transport Management and Command/Control Systems

Railway applications – Urban guided transport management and command/control systems – Part 2: Functional requirements specification

This extensively revised standard specifies the detailed functional requirements for UGTMS in urban passenger rail systems, targeting both new rail lines and the upgrading of existing trackside and train control infrastructure. It encompasses the full spectrum of operational needs, from manually-driven (GOA1) to fully automated, unattended systems (GOA4).

Key requirements include:

• Continuous data transmission architectures
• Real-time train movement supervision
• Integration of on-board localization and external trackside devices
• Functional specifications for safe movement, emergency management, passenger operations, and operation management
• Extended annexes providing options for customization and mapping functions to automation grades (GOAs)

This edition is notable for both removing and adding certain functions—aligning with changes in operational practices, modern technology, and feedback from prior use. A particular strength is its value for transport authorities preparing procurement or upgrade specifications who require an interoperable or interchangeable system.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive update to previous (2014) edition with new and deleted functions
• Stronger guidance for tailoring requirements to specific or generic applications
• Enhanced support for system safety, maintenance, and passenger information

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 62290-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 15955-1:2025 - Technical Requirements for Demountable Machines, Trailers, and Associated Equipment

Railway applications – Infrastructure – Demountable machines, trailers and associated equipment – Part 1: Technical requirements for travelling and working

This standard specifies the technical requirements for demountable machines and trailers—including road-rail versions—used for both travel and operational deployment on railway tracks. Its scope encompasses key aspects of design, assembly, maintenance, and safe operation, explicitly excluding some complex hazards and functions (such as quality of work performed or operation in explosive atmospheres).

It clarifies responsibilities concerning the safe use of such machinery and trailers under both normal and foreseeable misuse conditions. Relevant entities include maintenance contractors, infrastructure managers, and equipment manufacturers.

Key highlights:

• Revised requirements for machine profiles, operation, warning systems, and emergency devices
• Documentation and marking requirements updated for improved traceability and user guidance
• Exclusions detailed for special operating conditions, clarifying scope and regulatory overlaps

Access the full standard:View EN 15955-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 15955-2:2025 - General Safety Requirements for Demountable Machines and Trailers

Railway applications – Infrastructure – Demountable machines, trailers and associated equipment – Part 2: General safety requirements

Serving as a companion to Part 1, this standard details the general safety measures for the same class of machines and trailers, including those partially supported on ballast or formation during work mode. The standard focuses on preventing hazards from the design stage through to decommissioning, emphasizing risk reduction across operation, maintenance, and fault finding.

It is critical for infrastructure managers, rolling stock maintainers, contractors, and auditors tasked with ensuring machinery conforms to the highest safety practices.

Key highlights:

• Advanced provisions for stability, derailment resistance, and fire safety
• Precise requirements for operator cab ergonomics, braking, coupling, and environmental resilience
• Comprehensive approaches to hazard identification and mitigation, in line with the latest European safety directives

Access the full standard:View EN 15955-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 17639:2025 - General Safety Requirements for Material Cableway Installations

Safety of machinery – Cableway installations designed for the transport of material and specially designated persons – General safety requirements

Targeting a specialized but crucial niche, EN 17639:2025 applies to fixed or electric-motor cableways—either monocable or bicable—for transporting goods and, in limited cases, specially designated personnel (such as those supplying remote huts or shelters). The standard excludes cableways primarily intended for public passenger transport, lifts, funiculars, and other systems with distinct regulatory regimes.

It establishes in-depth requirements for mechanical and electrical safety, operational monitoring, hazard mitigation (e.g., against falls, collisions, equipment failure), and maintenance access. Safety is anchored through both design controls and comprehensive user documentation.

Key highlights:

• Defines safety measures for low-usage, low-speed cableways transporting goods or trained professionals
• Excludes systems for public passenger use, clarifying scope for compliance
• Addresses structural stability, emergency access, ergonomics, and operational contingencies

Access the full standard:View EN 17639:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 62290-1:2025 - System Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Urban Guided Transport Management

Railway applications – Urban guided transport management and command/control systems – Part 1: System principles and fundamental concepts

Serving as the introduction to the IEC 62290 series, this revised standard provides a foundational overview of key system definitions, operational concepts, and basic function architectures for UGTMS, suitable for both new urban lines and resignalling projects. It addresses both the technical environment and high-level operational strategies—including interoperability, system boundaries, grades of automation, and management principles for system integration.

The update notably clarifies the system environment in light of recent technology shifts and removes or refines references to external equipment, enhancing applicability and reducing ambiguity for infrastructure authorities, regulatory bodies, and suppliers.

Key highlights:

• Expanded principles for system performance, automation, and local adaptation
• Enhanced references for RAMS (reliability, availability, maintainability, safety) compliance
• Clarifies roles of interoperability and interchangeability in urban transit

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 62290-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Across the May 2025 portfolio, several themes became apparent:

• Increased System Integration: The close synchronization of EN IEC 62290-1:2025 and 62290-2:2025 demonstrates an industry emphasis on holistic, interoperable urban rail management systems suitable for both new and upgraded applications.
• Comprehensive Safety Focus: Both the EN 15955 and EN 17639 series reinforce rigorous safety expectations—not just for machinery operators, but for track workers, maintainers, and even designated users of material cableways.
• Harmonization and Clarity: Updates and technical revisions aim to streamline regulatory expectations and facilitate cross-border or multi-operator procurement.
• Scalable Automation: By addressing functional requirements aligned with varying levels of automation, the standards collectively promote scalable investments, enabling gradual transition up to driverless operations where appropriate.

The sector is clearly responding to increasing modernization pressures, regulatory alignment requirements, and the persistent need to maintain high safety standards amid evolving operational models.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For railway and infrastructure organizations, these new and revised standards present both opportunities and challenges:

• Prioritize Assessment: Organizations should conduct gap analyses between current practices and updated standards, especially where new or changed requirements exist for safety, performance, or interoperability.
• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Implementation will require collaboration among engineering, safety, procurement, and operations teams—especially for UGTMS upgrades or deployments.
• Training and Documentation: Invest in upskilling relevant staff on new requirements, especially for machinery operation, safety, and emergency processes.
• Adherence to Transition Timelines: Note the periods for national adoption and withdrawal of previous editions as set by CEN and CENELEC—plan compliance and procurement sequencing accordingly.
• Leverage Official Resources: Access the detailed standards through authoritative sources like iTeh Standards to ensure guidance and interpretation align with official intent.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

The standards released in May 2025 underscore the Railway Engineering sector’s progressive response to technological, operational, and safety challenges:

• Urban rail operators and authorities must address new functional and system-level requirements for UGTMS, ensuring solutions are future-proof and scalable.
• Machinery and infrastructure managers have robust, harmonized guidelines for both technical performance and operator safety, supporting sustainable maintenance and upgrade strategies.
• All stakeholders are encouraged to review the detailed standards relevant to their domain and assess organizational readiness for implementation.

Staying current with these publications is vital for ensuring compliance, advancing operational excellence, and cultivating safer, more resilient rail systems. Explore the full texts and additional resources at iTeh Standards.