Gauge

Conventional profile of the cross-section of a rolling stock, for which itscirculability is allowed on a line, with a certain degree of safety. For the same shape we define in particular: static shape, kinematic shape, Minimum Obstacle Profile. The static shape, which determines a certain construction or envelope loading profile of the vehicle, has traditionally been defined differently by the different networks. The kinematic gauge includes the tolerances due to the transverse displacement (case and carriages, with respect to the static position) as well as the additional francs necessary for the vehicle’s entry into the curve. The Minimum Obstacle Profile must therefore inscribe the kinematic gauge with a certain franc. In the UIC framework, standard shapes have been defined, including those identified as Gabarit A, B, C, depending on the total height from the plane of the iron and the width from the central axis of the track; for these values, for example, it passes from 3.85 m. and 1.28 m. of Gabarit A, at 4.65 m. and 1.45 m. of Gabarit C. The latter is proposed as a European limit template and often identified as a standard “gabarit”. The minimum profile of the obstacles represents the real positioning of external obstacles, structures or particular installations of the railway seat (signals, tunnel walls etc.), such as possible points of contact with the extreme limits (critical points) of the rolling stock or its load. These obstacles are particularly relevant to the circulability on the transport line with protruding loads – Exceptional transports – as well as combined transports; for the latter, a family of specific shape profiles designated by a code with numerical values ​​has been defined, corresponding to the limits of height on the plane of the iron and of width allowed to the respective loading Units (in particular containers and refrigeration units). The shape control of the lines can modernly be carried out with vehicles and service trains equipped with suitable sensors and electro-optical measuring systems, capable of verifying the circulability conditions of the same lines and updating the relative information system for the authorization of transport on indicated