Legal conditions in the aspect of pollutant emissions from exhaust systems of rail vehicles engines

One of the main objectives of the European transport policy is to increase the share of alternative modes of transport – revitalization of rail transport, promotion of water transport and development of intermodal transport, which will help to reduce the dominance of road transport. The adverse impact of transport can be felt both in the natural environment and in society, where the dynamic development of this sector has enabled significant civilization development, with the effects varying depending on the level of economic development, the degree of advancement and use of the various transport sectors, geographical location (including climate), and also the sensitivity of the elements of the environment. Considering contemporary transport hazards, it is important to prevent them from occurring, and when that is not possible – limiting their impact on the environment and reducing the scale and extent of negative impacts. The impact of rail transport on the environment and safety is much lower compared to road transport. The impact of rail transport on the environment mainly comes from the emission of noise and vibration, pollution (from diesel locomotives) and land occupation. The article presents information on the current legal conditions regarding the emission of pollutants from rail vehicles. Information with reference to research tests and emission limit values was included. The subject of tests in real traffic conditions was also mentioned as the direction of changes in vehicle homologation tests.