RSSB. Boosting freight safety and growth
Forging a future of freight excellence
Driving growth, safety, and innovation to meet the UK's ambitious 2050 rail freight goals.
The rail freight sector is a vital artery for the UK, delivering essential goods and contributing around £2.5 billion a year to our economy. As leaders in this industry, we must prioritise growth and safety, to ensure a sustainable and reliable future for rail freight.
Rail freight's ambition to increase capacity by 75% by 2050 hinges on maintaining and enhancing its already strong safety record. This confidence is crucial for attracting and retaining freight customers. We are committed to supporting this growth by addressing existing and emerging safety challenges.
Fatigue remains a persistent risk. Fresh collaboration with the National Freight Safety Group against this old foe has led to a new tool to help safety-critical workers manage fatigue during their shifts. The On-Duty Fatigue Assessment Tool has recently completed its pilot program, and we’re now assessing the valuable experience and feedback gathered. A series of case studies are already informing best practices, ensuring our workforce remains safe.
We’re members of the Freight Safe Steering Group, which governs the sector’s collaborative Health and Safety plan, the Freight safe Programme (FSP). A current project from the FSP is the Wagon Condition Programme. This was set up to understand wagon-condition-related incidents. So far, we’ve carried out the Wagon Condition Programme Risk Review to quantify current risks presented by freight vehicles on the railway network. It considers safety and environmental issues, business reputation, and performance recovery. So what does this mean for leadership in the sector? Better understanding of our assets will inform better investment cases for additional mitigation or action.
Increasing freight capacity requires a multifaceted approach. We are focusing on strategic, data-driven innovations that deliver significant gains without major infrastructure overhauls.
Optimising Sectional Running Times (SRTs) Our research has revealed that many SRTs are overly conservative, hindering potential capacity. A comprehensive review is underway to identify and adjust these metrics, unlocking valuable pathing options and reducing journey times. Successful challenges to SRTs in Wales demonstrate the tangible benefits of this approach.
Exploring aerodynamic limits The current 75 mph speed limit for freight trains, while ensuring safety, restricts capacity. With modern locomotives capable of higher speeds, we are investigating the feasibility of safely increasing this limit. Research into aerodynamic factors will determine if and how faster speeds can be accommodated, potentially unlocking significant capacity gains.
Facilitating Heavy Axle Weights (HAW) The reliance on special dispensations for HAW operations creates uncertainty. We are developing a HAW Infrastructure Interaction Model to provide data-driven assessments of route availability. This tool will enable more reliable planning and investment decisions, supporting the efficient movement of heavy freight.
Strengthening coupler technology Research and development regarding coupler strength aims to allow longer, heavier and faster freight train services. This will allow for greater efficiency in the freight sector, and aid in achieving the 2050 growth target.
Achieving our ambitious growth targets requires a collaborative effort across the entire rail freight industry. By sharing knowledge, embracing innovation, and prioritising safety, we can build a more efficient, sustainable, and reliable rail freight network.
Our commitment to research and development, coupled with a focus on data-driven decision-making, will continue to drive progress. By addressing both known and emerging challenges, we can ensure that rail freight continues to play a vital role in supporting the UK economy and communities.
From safeguarding our workforce to pioneering new technologies and fostering industry-wide collaboration, we're forging a path to a more efficient and sustainable rail freight future. Dive in to discover how we’re making it happen:
1. Learn how we're building a safer railway for everyone ❯
2. Explore the innovations that could revolutionise rail freight ❯
3. Listen to the podcast and discover the future of freight ❯