Throughout Europe there is currently an increased need to reduce noise and thus improve quality of life. With the growth of freight traffic, especially at night, this need to reduce noise becomes critical. The overall objective of ERS is to provide an innovative braking product which reduces rolling noise generated by tread-braked railway rolling stock (700 000 wagons in Europe) by 5 to 10 dB(A) (noise emission reduction) and which is:

• completely interchangeable with the current system (ensuring safety),
• has a 10% lower life cycle cost (LCC) than the current system (cost reduction);
• is recyclable (environmental protection).