The non-ballast system, NBT, has been developed for mixed traffic at a maximum operational speed of 360 km/h.

Eisenbahn-Bundesamt (EBA) has classified NBT as “Zulassung zur Betriebserprobung” – “approved for operating testing”.

Key players in the German rail community have worked closely with Alstom to obtain the approval: TÜV Rheinland InterTraffic, ACR and the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Two main actors of the railways German community have worked closely with Alstom to obtain this approval: The TÜV (TÜV Rheinland InterTraffic GmbH / ACR - Assessment & Certification Rail Office). 

A recognized international group that acts as Notified body (NoBo) and TUM (Technical University of Munich) with their Department of Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering. 

Alstom co-developed NBT for main-line owners seeking a concrete track i.e. a railway track with extensive lifespan and high infrastructure availability, which can be installed faster than traditional slab track, and be operated for mixed traffic (both passenger-dedicated and freight transport). 

NBT has an innovative slab design inspired from concrete pavement experience. 

The construction process is derived from the service-proven Appitrack technology which allows higher construction rates with 300 m of track laid per day and schedule of track laying reduced by 40%.