Overview
ISO 22575:2026 - Railway applications - General vocabulary is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its primary purpose is to define general terms and definitions used across systems, products, and services involved in railway applications. By providing clear and unified terminology, this standard helps eliminate misunderstandings, streamlines standard development and revision, and reduces errors during translation. It covers terminology relevant to various aspects of railway systems, such as design, construction, operations, and maintenance, but excludes terms related to electrotechnical and electronic components, which are addressed in IEC standards.
Key Topics
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Railway System Terminology
ISO 22575:2026 presents foundational terms such as "railway system," differentiating between conventional and non-conventional systems (like magnetic levitation, monorail, and rubber-tyred systems).
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Rolling Stock and Vehicles
Definitions include various types of railway vehicles (rolling stock), units, trainsets, multiple units (EMU, DMU, HMU, battery units), locomotives, coaches, wagons, metro vehicles, tram vehicles, and rail mounted machines.
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Rolling Stock Equipment
Terms for key equipment and sub-systems are included, such as brake systems, coupler systems, running gear, bogies, wheelsets, propulsion systems, and the driver’s cab.
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Railway Infrastructure
The standard captures essential infrastructure elements like tracks, stations, platforms, and related facilities and equipment.
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Railway Operations
Vocabulary related to operational aspects includes terms such as railway operation, vehicle gauge, infrastructure gauge, track gauge, train detection, and timetabling.
Applications
ISO 22575:2026 serves multiple practical purposes in the global railway sector:
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Standard Development and Consistency:
Facilitates the creation of new railway standards and the revision of existing ones by providing a reference vocabulary, reducing duplication and inconsistency.
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Engineering and Design:
Ensures unambiguous communication among engineers, designers, manufacturers, and maintenance teams working on railway projects internationally.
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Procurement and Contracting:
Helps both buyers and suppliers to use standardized railway terminology, preventing misinterpretations in specifications, contracts, and technical documents.
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Training and Personnel Development:
Offers a reference for training materials and educational resources, supporting uniform understanding among railway professionals.
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Translation and Localization:
Assists in accurate and consistent translation of railway terms across languages by providing a single source of agreed definitions.
Related Standards
To provide comprehensive coverage of railway terminology, ISO 22575:2026 should be used in conjunction with related standards, which specialize in particular areas:
- ISO 24478 - Railway applications - Braking - General vocabulary
- ISO 19659-1 - Railway applications - Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for rolling stock - Terms and definitions
- ISO 24675-1 - Railway applications - Running time calculation for timetabling
- IEC 60050-811 / 821 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary for electric traction and signalling
- IEC 62290-1 - Urban guided transport management and control systems - Fundamental concepts
- EN 16186-1 - Driver's cab - Anthropometric data and visibility
Summary
ISO 22575:2026 is an essential tool for the global railway sector, promoting clarity and consistency in technical communications, documentation, and standards development. By providing a harmonized vocabulary for railway applications, it enables more efficient collaboration and supports the safe, reliable, and interoperable operation of railway systems worldwide. For anyone involved in railway systems-whether in design, manufacturing, operations, or procurement-familiarity with ISO 22575:2026 is key to best practice and compliance.
