Railway Research Institute
Assessment, Certification and Testing Solutions for Rail
Výzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s. (VUZ) is a company specialized in providing professional services and complex solutions in the field of assessment, certification and testing with a special focus on rolling stock, railway systems, railway transport and other industrial sectors.
VUZ provides specialized services through authorized and accredited activities and testing in the field of railway vehicles and their components. These include, in particular, assessment of interoperability: NoBo/DeBo services, evaluation and assessment of AsBo and ISA service safety, ITCS tests, dynamic component testing, ETCS tests and others.
Our customers are manufacturers of rolling stock and railway system and railway transport components, railway infrastructure owners, railway and railway transport operators, state authorities and institutions, seated both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Výzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s. (VUZ) operates unique testing and technology facilities at the VUZ Test Centre in Velim. The main part of the test centre consists of two test circuits and a large auxiliary yard.
Auxiliary Yard
The auxiliary yard is used for the purpose of rolling stock parking in time when tests are not being carried out and performance of stationary tests using power supply from the catenary system, or from the 3 x 400V/32A and 63A power supply stands. It is also possible to use two high-voltage preheating stands that enable vehicles to be supplied with various combinations of catenary systems by means of a heating cable. The auxiliary yard is covered by a high-speed Wi-Fi data connection. It includes a track with a R = 150 m curve and two reverse curves (S-curves).
Test Preparation Halls
The test preparation halls (HPZ) can be used for the purpose of test preparation, installation of measuring equipment, checks of the technical condition of the vehicles under test, electrical and mechanical adjustments, component replacement and other similar activities. All the halls are covered by a high-speed Wi-Fi data connection.
There are four separate halls available:
- HPZ I – length 120m, 2 tracks, weight per axle 25t, 111m inspection pit, footbridges allowing access to the vehicle roof, safety system protecting against fall, compressed air and power supply distribution system, offices, storage areas
- HPZ II – length 200m, 2 tracks, weight per axle 25t, 135m inspection pit, footbridges allowing access to the vehicle roof, compressed air and power supply distribution system, 5t crane, lifting jacks, offices, storage areas, meeting room
- HPZ III – length 60m, 2 tracks; the hall is used mainly for the purpose of parking of locomotives and VUZ measuring wagons and test preparation
- HPZ IV – length 22m, 1 track, power supply distribution system, client facilities and offices
Traction Power Supply Systems
The VUZ Test Centre Velim has its own power supply station including all major European power supply systems. Both the large and small test circuits as well as a part of the auxiliary yard are electrified; they can be supplied separately, thanks to which required combinations of traction systems are enabled.
ETCS System
The ETCS testing site operated within the VUZ Test Centre Velim is a unique facility in the Czech Republic. The large test circle and the test centre are also covered by GSM-R signal. The VUZ facility uses the installed electronic interlocking technology with real detection means and two radio blocks (RBCs) in combination with track elements (fixed and switchable balises), and thus enables performance of specific customer OBU ETCS integration tests or legally defined ETCS tests, such as ESC tests pursuant to CCS TSI.
Case Studies
Our customers are manufacturers of rolling stock and components for railway systems and rail transport, owners of railway infrastructure, railway and rail transport operators, state authorities and institutions, both at home and abroad.
10 Years of Co-operation with CAF
CAF first chose the VUZ test center thanks to the possibilities of testing a long straight line, driving at a maximum speed of 200km/h and on all European voltage systems. She tested regional and long-distance trains, passenger buses and cars or, for example, the Oaris high-speed train for Flytoget. Later, however, it began to use all the halls and open tracks that we offer at VUZ for the modification of trains, and the VUZ laboratory also chose for brake tests and some tests of dynamic behavior.
Hybrid Units on Our Circuit
In the summer of 2021, a hybrid unit from Alstom arrived at the test circuit, which combines two AC voltage systems for its drive, as well as drive using a diesel generator for lines without overhead lines. The 13-kilometer test circuit allows testing at speeds of 200km/h and up to 230km/h for tilting trains.
