ISO 18298:2025

Overview

ISO 18298:2025 - "Railway applications - Platform barrier systems" is an international standard that specifies requirements for the design, construction and operation of platform barrier systems positioned at the platform edge (platform screen doors / platform edge doors). It covers fixed structures, movable passenger doors/gates, emergency and driver access doors, platform extremity doors and the management of safety risks specific to barrier systems. The standard also addresses system integration aspects such as synchronization with vehicle doors, alerts, control-system integrity and testing.

Keywords: ISO 18298:2025, platform barrier systems, platform screen doors, platform edge doors, railway standard, synchronization, control systems, testing, metro, tram, main line.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Structural and physical requirements: General structural design principles, loading conditions, glazing/panel materials, environmental, acoustic and thermal considerations.
• Doors and gates: Physical requirements for normal operation, emergency egress doors, driver access doors and platform extremity doors; entrapment risk management and tripping hazards.
• Control & electrical: Conditions for opening/closing, detection of locking/closure, door status indication, synchronization with vehicle doors, audible/visible alerts, electrical safety (earthing and bonding) and EMC considerations.
• Safety & systems engineering: Management of safety risks, maintainability, accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, gauging and interface requirements with signalling and vehicles.
• Testing & verification: Type and routine tests, functional and integration testing with other railway subsystems; normative and informative annexes cover testing plans, earthing/bonding principles, system integration and aerodynamic loading methods.

Note: ISO 18298:2025 does not cover fire performance requirements when barrier systems are used as fire barriers, nor does it cover platform foundations/structures. It also excludes barrier types that operate vertically or use multiple separate panels/bars/ropes.

Practical applications and benefits

• Prevents track incursions and reduces contact between passengers and moving vehicles.
• Enables safer operation at high-frequency or automated metro and people‑mover systems by synchronizing train and platform doors.
• Improves passenger comfort and station environment (noise reduction, ventilation control, climate separation).
• Supports operational performance, maintainability and accessibility at sub-surface, enclosed and open‑air stations.

Who should use this standard

• Infrastructure owners and operators
• System integrators, designers and installers of platform barrier systems
• Signalling, vehicle and control-system engineers
• Safety, testing and maintenance teams involved in metro, tram and main‑line projects

Related standards (examples)

ISO 12543 (glass), IEC 62061 (functional safety), IEC 62278 (RAMS), IEC EMC and electrical safety standards - ISO 18298:2025 references these for detailed electrical, structural and safety interoperability.