TS 1405

TS 1405 is a vocabulary standard for the mass-related terms used in road vehicles. It brings together the definitions needed to describe vehicle mass, loading condition, and related measurement concepts in a consistent way. Based on ISO/R 1176, it standardises the terminology used for road-vehicle masses and covers the terms associated with the specific vehicle conditions defined in TS 4457.

Why separate mass terms matter

In road-vehicle engineering, “mass” is not a single notion. An empty vehicle, a loaded vehicle, and a vehicle in a defined operating condition can each require a different technical term. Vocabulary standards reduce ambiguity across manufacturers, laboratories, regulatory documents, and technical specifications, helping align discussions of payload, axle loads, and conformity-related descriptions around the same definitions.

What this standard covers and what it does not

• It focuses on definitions of terms related to the masses of road vehicles.
• The terms are linked to the specific conditions defined in TS 4457.
• It is a vocabulary standard, not a test method or limit-value standard.
• It supports consistent naming of vehicle-mass concepts.
• It is aligned with the ISO/R 1176 terminology base.

In general technical use, standards of this type help prevent different interpretations of expressions such as unladen mass, maximum laden mass, or axle load. TS 1405 therefore serves as a reference for consistent terminology in road-vehicle engineering, concentrating on definitions and classification rather than on practical testing procedures.