Topical Groups, Sustainable Transport Topical Groups
UNIFE Topical Groups (TG) and Mirror Groups (MG) aim at steering UNIFE work on standardisation, regulation and research, the overall coordination (e.g. approval of group members) is done by the respective committees.
Topical Groups follow specific topics, mainly related to standardisation and research activities. The list of current topical groups is as follows:
Topical groups (TG)
Name of the group |
Description |
Companies involved |
|
Aerodynamics
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The TG Aerodynamics mainly deals with following the just started Aerotrain R&D project. Further it provides input when appropriate and required to the drafting of the TSI Rolling Stock in collaboration with the MG Rolling Stock. Moreover, the group also follows the ongoing activities at CEN with regarding the standards.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, CAF, Knorr Bremse, Siemens |
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Brakes
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The TG Brakes deals with the brake system. Topics in 2009 are the definition of the correction factors to be considered for the ERTMS braking curves, for which ERA set up a task force in 2009. For this work the group is strongly interacting with other affected UNIFE groups, such as the MG Safety Assurance and the newly founded MG ERTMS braking curves. In addition to this topic the group gives input to the safety aspects for brakes in the TSI Conventional Rail Rolling Stock which is currently under preparation by ERA. It is also following and reviewing the progress of the research project Modbrake.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, Faiveley, Knorr Brense, Siemens, Vossloh |
|
CAB
|
The TG CAB deals with the Driver Machine Interfaces. The first objective of this group is to deliver jointly with UIC, the technical recommendation for the driver’s cab. |
Alstom, Bombardier, CAF, DEUTA, Knorr Bremse, Siemens |
|
Crash Safety
|
The TG Crash Safety deals with following the Safeinteriors R&D project. Further it provides input when appropriate and required to the drafting of the TSI Rolling Stock in collaboration with the MG Rolling Stock. Moreover, the group also follows the ongoing activities at CEN with regarding the standards.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, CAF, Siemens, Stadler, Vossloh |
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Diesel
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Emission limits for diesel rail vehicles, as imposed by the directive on diesel engines of non-road mobile machinery, will only be achieved if existing technical barriers are overcome and funding schemes for research are made available. The railway industry recommends the consolidation of the joint work with its diesel engine suppliers and its customers to find solutions applicable for the rail sector.
|
Alstom, Bombardier, EMD, Siemens, Voith, Vossloh |
|
Fire Safety
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The Fire Safety TG represents UNIFE members including rail vehicle builders as well as system suppliers. The objective is to agree at UNIFE level on a common UNIFE position for members working on common topics such as: - Future European Fire Safety standards such as EN45545, - TSI Fire Safety requirements sections, - European funded research projects such as Transfeu
This common working is intended to allow industry representation to be leveraged when discussions take place with other committee members such as representatives of European Authority, rail operators, rolling stock sub-suppliers and fire test laboratories.
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Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, Knorr Bremse, Siemens |
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PRM
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To make railway transportation handy for the whole society, special requirements should be taken into account during the construction of the infrastructure (stations, platforms, etc..) and when assembling rolling stock. This group focuses on supporting the regulatory works on technical improvements related to People with Reduced Mobility to enhance the accessibility of rail transport to these persons.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, Knorr Bremse, SIemens |
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Railway Dynamics
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The TG Railway Dynamics mainly deals with following the just started Dynotrain R&D project. Further it provides input when appropriate and required to the drafting of the TSI Rolling Stock in collaboration with the MG Rolling Stock. Moreover, the group also follows the ongoing activities at CEN with regarding the standards.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, CAF, Siemens, Talgo, Vossloh |
|
TCMS
bernard.von.wullerstorff@unife.org
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The TG TCMS (Train Control and Monitoring System) works on common solutions for the train communication network, the so called ‘brain of the train’. The main scope of work in 2009 is to agree at UNIFE level on a common standards for the future high capacity Train Communication Network (TCN), based on Ethernet. The solution will be proposed to international standardisation bodies.
|
Alstom, AnsalodBreda, Bombardier, CAF, CAF/Traintic, EKE, Faiveley, DarSystems, Harting, Knorr Bremse, Siemens |
Sustainable Transport Committee Topical Groups (STC TG)
Since 1999, UNIFE has a Sustainable Transport Committee, providing a forum for exchange of experiences. Considering the increased complexity of environmental and sustainability issues, competencies of the UNIFE Sustainable Transport Committee have grown. To assure a coherent and effective common position and effort of the rail industry in the environmental fields, this Committee acts as coordinator for all the environmental matters and provides a platform for consensus-building to formulate common positions.
Name |
Description |
Companies involved |
|
Energy efficiency
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Energy saving is the key indicator of the modern sustainable transportation. The railway sector is currently working on a standard methodology for measuring energy consumption and environmental performance of the whole supply chain. This tool would justify the energy efficiency of integrated railway system as well as validate the solutions on innovative traction technologies, components and layouts to the development of new rolling stock.
|
Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens Knorr Bremse, Faiveley, CAF |
|
Life Cycle Assessment
|
To assure compliance with the legal framework and growing customer demands on rail eco-performance and at the same time reduce production and tendering cost, the railway industry recommends an Environmental Performance Declaration, covering the whole supply chain and based on consensus building with respect to performance indicators, material lists and methodology.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda |
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Chemical risks
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The group follows up the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.) which entered into force in 1 June 2007 and aims to improve the legislative framework on chemicals of the EU. The UNIFE group follows up the legislative procedure and ensures that the railway system integrators and their suppliers comply with the new regulation. The group recently published an Information paper on REACH concerning the railway industry.
|
Alstom, AnsaldoBreda |
For further information, please contact
Helene Koepf
Railway Systems Manager
+32 2 643 70 81
group
