Certification of FLIRT vehicle for Belgian rail network

Challenge

Arriva, based in Limburg, already operated the Stadler FLIRT trainsets in Germany and the Netherlands, but to extend use of the vehicles to Liège they were required to obtain the necessary homologation for the Belgian network.

Ricardo Certification, an accredited Designated Body in Belgium, was appointed to test and certify the trainsets against the applicable national technical requirements and the specifics of the Belgian infrastructure and operating rules.

Approach

The test program planned by our independent certification team included pantograph contact force measurements, tests of compatibility of the 3kV electrical system with the infrastructure, axle counter tests, and tests of the ETCS train protection system. Our teams configured and installed all the specialist measurements equipment and took care of the organisation of the test runs as required.

In close cooperation with Infrabel, the Belgian network infrastructure manager, the Ricardo team also specified the most suitable test locations. For the ETCS tests, this required in-depth analysis of the locations of specific balise groups.

Ricardo’s SMART Software data analysis was used to deliver reliable overnight test results, bringing efficiency to the process and reducing costs and timescales.

Results

The test results, combined with the proof of compatibility by the assessment of the documents, allowed Ricardo Certification to issue the corresponding certificates of compliance, paving the way for the Stadler FLIRT trains featuring ECTS Guardia signalling system to operate in Belgium.

The outcome represents a notable achievement in terms of operating an international commuter service across three countries, with passengers able to transit between Maastricht, Liège and Aachen without transfers.