EN IEC 62625 Electronic Railway Equipment - On-Vehicle Driving Data Recording System

The “EN IEC 62625 Electronic railway equipment - In-vehicle driving data recording system” standard, developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and later published as a European standard within the scope of harmonization efforts, consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN IEC 62625-1 Part 1: System specifications” describes the specifications of an in-vehicle driving data logging system for recording data about the operation of a train. The data refers to both driver behavior and in-vehicle system behavior to support systematic safety monitoring as a way to prevent accidents and incidents. The data is recorded in a manner suitable for determining the cause and, where possible, the consequences. The data is suitable for:
• For investigative use in case of accidents and incidents.
• To monitor the appropriate actions of the engineers.

This standard specifies the requirements for a universal registration system applicable to all types of railway vehicles.

In the high-risk world of modern rail transport, safety is not just a priority, but a cornerstone of operations. With millions of passengers and vast amounts of cargo transported daily across global networks, the need for robust monitoring systems is steadily increasing. This is where the EN IEC 62625-1 standard, defining the specifications of in-vehicle driving data logging systems, comes into play. This standard brings a proactive approach to accident prevention and incident investigation by equipping trains with advanced data logging technology to capture critical operational details.

The EN IEC 62625-1 standard represents collaboration between engineers, safety experts, and regulatory bodies to standardize how trains record and analyze driving data. By ensuring uniformity across systems, it helps railway operators worldwide improve reliability, compliance, and ultimately passenger safety.

This standard is essentially designed to define an in-vehicle driving data recording system that records comprehensive data about train operations. The standard explicitly targets two key areas:

• Driver behavior: Measurements such as throttle inputs, braking patterns, horn usage, and attention checks to assess human performance.
• In-vehicle system behavior: Traction control, signaling interfaces, door operations, and diagnostic data to monitor equipment health.

The comprehensive objective is to support systematic safety monitoring. By providing actionable insights, the standard enables railway authorities to identify patterns such as recurring driver errors or equipment failures before they develop into accidents. This preventive approach is consistent with global safety directives, including the European Union railway safety directive 2004/49/EC, which mandates advanced data collection for risk assessment.

The scope of this standard is limited to the functional and performance requirements of the recording system. It does not cover installation instructions, data transmission protocols, or post-processing software; these topics are left to other parts of this standard or to supplementary standards such as IEC 62625-2 for conformity testing.

• The standard “EN IEC 62625-2 Part 2: Conformity testing” describes standard test methods for verifying the conformity of an in-vehicle driving data logging system application to the requirements specified in the IEC 62625-1 standard. It also covers the conformity testing criteria for designed and manufactured in-vehicle driving data logging systems. This standard includes a list of requirements specified by the EN IEC 62625-1 standard and the relevant acceptance conditions for in-vehicle driving data logging systems during design review, type testing, and routine testing phases. For train-level design review and train-level testing phases, this standard provides guidelines for conformity testing methods to be applied to in-vehicle driving data logging systems installed on trains.

In the ever-evolving world of railway technology, ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of in-vehicle systems is paramount. A critical component of modern railway operations is the in-vehicle driving data logger system, which collects essential data during train journeys to aid in accident investigations, performance analysis, and regulatory compliance. This standard plays a vital role within this ecosystem by defining compliance testing procedures for these systems. By providing a framework for verifying that in-vehicle driving data logger system applications meet stringent requirements, this standard contributes to safer and more reliable railway travel.

The onboard driving data logging system is an electronic system installed in railway vehicles such as locomotives and passenger carriages to record driving-related data. This includes parameters such as speed, braking events, door status, and environmental conditions. The primary purposes of this system are multifaceted:

• Enhanced safety: Data records help reconstruct accidents and determine the causes of derailments, collisions, or signal failures.
• Regulatory compliance: Many jurisdictions require data recording for audits and certifications.
• Operational optimization: Analyzing recorded data can improve fuel efficiency, maintenance planning, and driver training.

However, without rigorous compliance testing, these systems can fail, leading to incomplete records or data corruption, which could jeopardize public safety.

The adoption of the EN IEC 62625-2 standard has significant implications for the railway sector. This standard enables the reliable integration of in-vehicle driving data loggers from diverse suppliers into cross-border fleets. It is compliant with broader safety directives such as the EU Railway Safety Directive 2016/798 and reduces accident rates by providing precise post-incident analysis capabilities.

• The "EN IEC 62625-3 Part 3: Audio and video recording" standard is still under development.

In today's world, where railway safety is paramount, technological advancements play a crucial role in preventing accidents and improving operational efficiency. One such innovation is the in-vehicle driving data logger, a comprehensive framework designed to capture critical data during train operations.

While fundamental standards like EN IEC 62625-1 and EN IEC 62625-2 provide the foundation for system specifications and conformity testing, the EN IEC 62625-3 standard offers a vital expansion: audio and video recording capabilities. This standard promises to revolutionize accident analysis and driver training by integrating multimedia evidence into railway data recording systems.

As railways worldwide grapple with increasing traffic volumes and complex signaling systems, understanding this standard is vital for engineers, safety officers, and policymakers aiming to future-proof rail transport.

The primary objective of the EN IEC 62625-3 standard is to define the requirements for integrating audio and video recording into in-vehicle driving data recording systems by improving evidence-based safety reviews. The main objectives of this standard are:

• Incident reconstruction: Video footage from the driver's cab or trackside views can clarify cause-and-effect relationships in collisions or derailments.
• Behavioral analysis: Audio recordings of communications or warnings help evaluate crew responses.
• Regulatory compliance: Supports requirements imposed by organizations such as the European Union Railway Agency for black box-like systems on high-risk routes.

The scope of this standard is limited to onboard systems used for recording, storing, and retrieving multimedia data synchronized with parametric recordings as defined in the EN IEC 62625-1 standard. Off-train processing or standalone CCTV is excluded, but integration with existing train networks is permitted.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its customers, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services to businesses in accordance with the “EN IEC 62625 Electronic railway equipment - In-vehicle driving data recording system” standard.