Technical Specification of Interoperability-PRM standard

Technical Specification of Interoperability for Persons with Reduced Mobility (TSI-PRM) defines a set of standards to which different subsystems of a railway system need to adhere in order to guarantee accessibility for PRMs and, as such, to all passengers.

The standards not only cover infrastructure specifications, but also standards for rolling stock and system management. Minor elements on operation, management, maintenance and health and safety are addressed as well.

Using the different standards described in the TSI-PRM will, in theory, ensure legislative compliance on certain aspects, but definitely guarantee that the interchange is accessible for all passengers or users. These technical standards have a legislative nature for the elements where mandatory standards are defined and when the interchange has a railway integrated into the transport node. If no railway is included at the interchange, these standards can act as a guidance or reference document as do the chapters in the document on voluntary standards.

These technical specifications are available in all EU languages.

These technical specifications should be used in the planning stages of building or refurbishing an interchange. Some elements on maintenance and operation can be used when addressing management issues at an interchange. Not all elements of these technical specifications are applicable for interchanges. The chapter entitled “subsystem infrastructure” is the most relevant for interchanges. This chapter defines standards on the following elements:

Not all elements of these technical specifications are applicable for interchanges. The section on “subsystem infrastructure” is the most relevant. This chapter defines standards on the following elements:

• Parking facilities for PRM
• Obstacle-free route
• Route identification
• Doors and entrances
• Floor surfaces
• Transparent obstacles
• Toilets and baby-changing facilities
• Furniture and free-standing devices
• Ticketing, Information desks and Customer Assistance points
• Lighting
• Visual information: signposting, pictograms, dynamic information
• Spoken information
• Emergency exits, alarms
• Geometry of footbridges and subways
• Stairs
• Handrails
• Ramps, escalators, lifts, travelators
• Platform height and offset
• Track layout along the platforms
• Platform width and edge of platform
• End of platform
• Boarding aids for passengers using wheelchairs
• Level track crossing at stations
• Functional and technical specifications of the interfaces
• Operating rules
• Maintenance rules
• Professional qualifications
• Health and safety conditions
• Infrastructure register

If the TSI-PRM tool is used in the planning phase when building or refurbishing an interchange, full accessibility for all passengers should be guaranteed. However these standards do not cover any major structural obstacles that may hamper accessibility.