UBS - Unified Braking Scheme

Crossing Borders Non-Stop - Unified Braking Scheme (UBS)

The Unified Braking Scheme (UBS) describes uniform braking position rules and documents for continuous train movements (braking sheet, wagon list) in international rail freight traffic for Europe. Until now, it was necessary to change brake positions at many interfaces and border crossings and to create new documents for the train journey. The UBS thus brings benefits to our customers but also to the RUs. By eliminating the need to change braking positions, goods can be transported more efficiently, and downtimes can be reduced. The RUs' expenses are reduced, and resources are used more effectively. In concrete terms: our processes are becoming faster, and the quality of our production processes is being increased throughout Europe.

Europe-wide and interoperable production processes

The application of the regulations and documents was tested in the CEF PSA UBS project on rail corridor 1 / Rhine-Alpine corridor.  In cooperation with the national companies in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy, historically existing regulations were questioned and optimised in close cooperation with the infrastructure managers and national supervisory authorities. Practical experience was gained in the implementation of pilot trains from the Netherlands via Germany and Switzerland to Italy.

With the support of the Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (UIC) and the EEIG Corridor Rhine-Alpine EWIV, the Europe-wide implementation is being driven forward.

The development and implementation at DB Cargo AG and our national affiliates were financially supported as part of the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding programme.