To encourage urban rail transport, the tendencies of urban vehicles don’t focus just on delivering the right comfort for passengers, but also on increasing traffic speed, together with the high level of safety, less costs and increased availability. These are the main challenges as regards braking systems. The technological development has permitted these elements, although they are the most exposed equipments of a vehicle, to optimize the transport safety level and to act rapidly and efficiently in case of emergencies.
The braking system is one of the most important and complex subsystems of railway vehicles, especially when it comes for safety. Currently, the market of braking systems suppliers is extremely varied and this is shown in the design of the braking systems up to testing, validation and maintenance procedures. However, in operating these systems, one has to bear in mind that what passengers want is the supply of comfortable and modern services and the demand oscillates towards a higher level of flexibility and fre-
edom in maximum safety conditions. Therefore, installing efficient ands safe brakes is essential. The passengers’ demands launch challenges for manufacturers in the deve-lopment and design of complex and compact braking systems matching safety and flexibility with high performance.
The hydraulic braking system is clearly a plus as regards a higher speed and therefore less time spent in traffic. Apart from just meeting the demands of passengers, manufacturers have to rethink the systems from the point of view of both their assembly in the vehicles (which are designed to be more spacious and yet as light as possible) and their performance.
Hydraulic braking systems generate the braking force and the compact modules of these systems are flexible according to the different types of vehicle platforms. They can be adapted to different installation conditions and their strong design makes them resistant to collisions thus increasing the passengers’ safety.
In case of low-floor trams, the area dedicated to the braking system is limited and one of the advantages of the hydraulic braking system is the fact that it is easy adaptable to small spaces, compared to pneumatic systems. Hydraulic braking systems are more compact which also make them lighter. Mounting is also possible to gearbox as floating support or to the bogie frame as elastic suspension.
The system is also maintenance-friendly thanks to completely sealed bearings and joints.
Due to its design, the hydraulic brake permits the integration of special functions, such as the emergency command, adaptability to speed sensors and immediate response either by command or by mounted sensors.
Although the most exposed element in case of collision, vibrations and extreme weather conditions, the continuous deve-lopment of this braking system permits the increase of the vehicle’s speed in maximum safety conditions.
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