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Lexicon A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Abutment
Constitutive element of a bridge. The part at each extremity of the bridge on which the arch of the bridge or the apron rests.
Apron
Platform constituting the "deck" of a bridge. This part of the bridge is supported at its extremities by abutments.
Ballast
Layer of coarse stone chippings used to spread the weight of rolling stock as uniformly as possible across the roadbed, dampen vibrations caused by the passage of trains, allow rainwater run-off and correct track grading.
Catenaries
Infrastructure capacity allocated for a train to move between two points of a railway network over a given period of time (equivalent to a slot in air transport).
Commissioning
Bringing into commercial use a line or specific technical installation (permanent structure, etc.) for the purposes of operating train services.
Covered cutting
Civil engineering work covering the railway line entirely. Unlike a tunnel which is dug through the ground, a covered cutting is done by first constructing the side walls, then the new concrete slabs. Afterwards the earth is cleared away under these new slabs. Finally the roof of the cutting is undertaken. The upper slab can then be fitted out according to need (hard surface, earth covering,…).
Crocodile
A warning device placed between the rails ahead of a signal. The crocodile repeats upcoming signal information to the driver by means of an electrical impulse transmitted to the cab.
ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System)
A traffic management system developed by the integration of ETCS (European Train Control System, a signalling system) with GSM-R (a communicating system) designed gradually to replace existing traffic control systems in the various countries.
ETCS (European Train Control System)
A European train protection and cabin signalling system. ETCS sends standardised information to the driver to ensure optimum movement, and provides full continuous speed control. If the maximum authorised speed is exceeded, the system activates emergency brakes.
Etterbeek triangle
Section of railway in the shape of a triangle situated in the communes of Etterbeek, Watermael and Auderghem, over which several railway lines pass, of which two cross each other by means of a crossover bridge, namely lines 161 (Brussels-Namur) and 26 (Hal-Vilvorde).
Flyover (flying junction)
Permanent structure enabling one railway line to pass over another.
Formwork
Formwork is a temporary structure, used to mould material until it sets and hardens. The aim of this technique is to make concrete structures with precisely defined shapes. Siding is used because concrete is in a pasty state when laid. It is subject to its own weight and requires a mould to give it shape then keep it in place, until it reaches its phase of self stability.
Freight corridor
Route established by joint agreement between infrastructure managers enabling freight trains to make uninterrupted cross-border journeys on an international line.
Freight
Goods being transported.
Green wall
Wall covered in vegetation. This wall often consists of a pile of prefabricated elements, which are then filled with earth so that the vegetation can grow in it. It is vegetalisable, anti-graffiti and can serve as a retaining wall. It provides very good acoustic insulation thanks to its high mass.
Grid
Set of track equipment (such as switching) covered by signals.
GSM-R (GSM for Railways)
A digital communications network adapted specifically for railway applications. GSM-R is a European standard ensuring interoperability between the different rail operators and networks.
Hydraulic outlet
Opening intended for the passage of water in a hydraulic installation (opening in contact with water).
Infrastructure
Fixed installations: roadbed, earthworks, permanent structures, tracks.
Intermodality
Successive implementation of different forms of transport (air-road-railwaterway).
Landscaped slope
Retaining wall entirely masked by earth and therefore vegetalized.
Line
Rail link consisting of one or more tracks.
Long welded rail
Type of rail that is not subject to changes in length due to dilatation and contraction due to changes in temperature. Continuously welded track no longer contains expansion joints between rail lengths and offers considerable advantages in terms of smoother ride and lower maintenance costs.
Marshalling yard
Railway yard accessible to freight trains in both directions, where wagons are sorted to make up new direct freight trains.
New high-speed line
Railway line constructed in addition to the existing network with a layout and equipment designed for trains to travel at high speeds.
Noise wall
Wall enabling the sound impact to be reduced. This solution consists in interposing an obstacle between the sound sources and the receptor (residents, school, shops). These reflective screens enable important noise reductions to be obtained. Concrete is an excellent acoustic insulator. For further information...
Overpass
Railway civil engineering structure (often a bridge) passing over the constituent elements of the landscape (water, roads, fields, …).
Pandrol clip
A clip system for fixing rails to sleepers, made of steel and twisted into a specially-designed shape. The clip absorbs the loads applied to the rails and transfers them via the sleepers to the rest of the structure.
Pantograph
Folding mechanical arm mounted on the locomotive roof to collect electrical current from the catenary.
Parapet
Low wall forming a guardrail in a civil engineering structure. For example: parapets are placed opposite each other on aprons as a safety measure.
Pidaas (Passengers Information Display and Audio Announcement System)
A system for managing passenger information display panels and audio announcements in railway stations that will generate automatic announcements in real time across the entire Belgian railway network.
Pile driving
Operation consisting in driving a deep foundation (in steel, concrete or reinforced concrete), also called piles, into the ground by the dynamic effect of shocks or vibrations with the help of a driving appliance. This operation is done with the aim of constructing a structure on good ground, when the superficial layers are of mediocre resistance.
Planning permit
Administrative document granting authorization to build or carry out an infrastructure project in a given place. Even if a terrain is described as building land (established in the town planning certificate), constructions and most work are subject to obtaining prior permission, that is to say a planning permit granted by the Regions and asked for by Infrabel.
PPP (Public Private Partnership)
A means of financing investment in which a government body contracts with a private service provider to design, build and maintain a public infrastructure project over a substantial period of time (between 25 and 30 years). In return, the private sector partner receives lease rental income for the duration of the contract.
Quadrupling of tracks
Adding one or several tracks in order to increase the capacity of a railway line. Upgrading to four tracks is done for example in the context of installing the RER (Réseau Express Régional – Regional Express Network).
Rail interoperability
Ability of a rail system to provide safe and uninterrupted train journeys (for example, for a train originating in Germany to use the Belgian network and vice versa).
Rail yard
Series of parallel tracks connected by switching at their entry and exit points.
Railway crossover
Railway bridge on which one or several lines run and below which one or several other lines run. In railway language, the crossover point is called PX.
Railway permanent structure
Construction made necessary by the laying of a railway line, enabling the line to cross other lines of communication or negotiate uneven terrain. Basic structures include bridges, tunnels, viaducts, etc.
Reinforced excavations
Action of digging (in a terrain) to install a foundation. The reinforcement of the excavation serves to support the walls of the hole dug in order to prevent the sides caving in. The reinforcement material varies depending on the nature of the terrain but mainly consists of concrete.
RER (Réseau Express Régional)
Future network of closely interconnected rail links and bus lines designed to absorb the expected increase in passenger traffic in a 30 km radius around Brussels.
Retaining wall
Civil engineering work designed to support, contain and resist thrust from the earth being retained.
Roadbed
Base soil formation (cleared or built-up) on which is placed first a sub-base, then a layer of ballast and finally the rails.
Section
Portion, part of a whole (for example : the section of a line).
Signal box
Traffic management control centre for a particular zone where signal and points operating levers are centralised.
Sleeper (tie, cross-tie)
Transverse members made of wood, metal or concrete laid across the roadbed and used to secure the rails at the correct gauge (in Belgium, as in most European countries, the standard gauge – the distance between the inner sides of the parallel laid across the roadbed rails – is 1,435 mm). Sleepers also serve to spread the load over track and ballast.
Slope
Steeply sloping ground, very inclined, resulting from earth works.
Cutting slope: borders a railway line below.
Embankment slope: made of earth brought in and which rises above the ground.
Structures
Construction made necessary by the building of a railway line, enabling it to cross other lines of communication or to pass through irregularities of the landscape. Essentially bridges, tunnels, viaducts, open cuttings, etc are distinguished.
TBL (Transmission Beacon Locomotive)
An automatic train control system based on the transmission of a coded signal from a trackside beacon to an aerial located underneath the locomotive.
Town planning certificate
Certificate containing specific town planning information on the feasibility of a given project.
Track circuit
An electrical circuit run through the rail to detect the presence of a train on a section of track and which generates a signal indicating if the track is free or occupied.
Track formation
Excavated ground (possibly raised) on which there is the railway track.
Traction sub-station
Electricity transformation and distribution unit providing power via the catenary to a given section of electrified line.
Traffic Control or Dispatching
Organisation responsible for traffic coordination and regulation on a section of railway.
Trainpath
Infrastructure capacity allocated for a train to move between two points of a railway network over a given period of time (equivalent to a slot in air transport).
Train set
A set of carriages or wagons coupled to each other.
Underpass
Railway civil engineering structure (often a tunnel) passing under the constituent elements of the landscape (water, roads, fields, …).
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