From 2011, stricter exhaust emission limits for diesel rail vehicles came into force in the European Union. This presented engine and locomotive manufacturers with a major technical challenge. The research project investigated the various technical solutions that could fulfil the strict, then future limit values. This involved innovations to the diesel engines as well as downstream solutions such as particulate filters and catalytic converters.

The IZT was tasked with finding out to what extent the possible solutions were economically and environmentally viable.

The NRMM Directive (97/68/EU) (combating the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery) formed the basis for the gradual tightening of exhaust emission limits.

More information at: www.cleaner-d.eu