Overview
ISO 37164:2021 - Smart community infrastructures: Smart transportation using fuel cell light rail transit (FC‑LRT) specifies a procedure for introducing fuel cell light rail transit into urban transport networks. The standard describes the concept, operation and quality maintenance of FC‑LRT systems that use hydrogen fuel cells for traction. Benefits highlighted include zero tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) and particulate emissions, elimination of overhead catenaries, faster refuelling versus battery charging, improved resilience to grid outages and reduced infrastructure footprint - all supporting smart transportation and cleaner urban environments.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Concept and objectives: Defines FC‑LRT and explains advantages over conventional catenary‑powered LRT, including energy storage/recovery and use of hydrogen produced from surplus renewable electricity.
- Operation: Minimum requirements and recommendations for organizing services, covering:
- Hydrogen refuelling and recharging: Siting and sizing of refuelling stations, on‑site vs off‑site hydrogen supply, and the role of renewable hydrogen for zero‑emission operation.
- Scheduling and dispatching: Optimizing timetables and vehicle rotation to accommodate refuelling cycles.
- Maintenance and passenger services: Ensuring maintenance does not disrupt refuelling; maintaining passenger comfort, access and fares comparable to conventional LRT.
- Driving conditions and skills: Operating parameters are consistent with conventional LRT; no special driver skills required beyond existing standards.
- Hydrogen delivery and storage: Guidance on storage on vehicles and at stations, and references to hydrogen quality and handling standards (for example ISO 14687, ISO 19880‑1, ISO 13985 family).
- Emergency response and safety: Station siting, risk reduction for leaks, fires and blast effects, and emergency procedures (references include NFPA 2, SAE J2578/J2579).
- Quality maintenance: Parameters to monitor, and procedures for modifying systems while preserving service quality.
Applications and who should use it
ISO 37164 is intended for:
- City planners and transport authorities planning sustainable urban transit
- Transit operators and LRT system designers evaluating fuel cell options
- Infrastructure and hydrogen refuelling station engineers
- Hydrogen suppliers, emergency planners and safety officers
- Policy makers and sustainability officers aligning transit with SDGs
Practical applications include feasibility studies for electrification alternatives, designing refuelling networks, operational planning to integrate hydrogen logistics, and aligning LRT deployment with zero‑emission and smart city goals.
Related standards
ISO 37164 references hydrogen and rail‑safety documents such as ISO 14687, ISO 19880‑1, ISO 13985, SAE J2578/J2579, and NFPA 2 for specifics on hydrogen quality, storage, refuelling and emergency response. These are essential complements when implementing FC‑LRT systems.