This European Standard describes methods of classification of existing and new railway lines and the categorisation of vehicles. The standard specifies the technical requirements for ensuring the compatibility of the interface between vehicle and infrastructure. The standard is suitable for use on freight, passenger and mixed traffic lines and contains requirements relevant to:

A summary of the classification of infrastructure and categorisation of vehicles is given in Annex B.

The assessment of the vertical load carrying capacity of civil engineering structures, track, sub-grade and earthworks by the use of the load models defined in Annex A permits the classification of infrastructure into line categories.

This European Standard identifies on which lines vehicles are compatible to the infrastructure under normal operation conditions without further checks regarding vertical load effects.

The methodology described in this European Standard is not valid for high speed rail traffic. Tilting traffic and the working of rail mounted plant and cranes etc. are also outside the scope of this European Standard. This European Standard does not cover the system used in Great Britain, where all lines and vehicles are to be classified in accordance with the RA (Route Availability) System. A guide to the equivalent categories in accordance with this European Standard is given in Annex C.

This European Standard does not cover requirements relating to the maximum total mass or maximum length of a train.

The requirements of this European Standard do not replace regulations relating to e.g. dynamic wheel/rail contact force limits, vehicle ride considerations, vehicle structural design limitations, etc.