Our Rail Leader Update video series, provides senior personnel across the rail industry a quick overview of how we're working with cross-industry groups and committees to deliver the support rail organisations need.
Asset Integrity Group
Cyber security
The Asset Integrity Group (AIG) is organising a series of bowtie workshops to deepen its understanding of the cyber security risk in rail and how it can support industry. This will build on existing work, including a signposting project, and inform the group’s direction for 2024 and onwards.
CP7 roadmap
Like other safety risk groups, the AIG is developing its roadmap for 2024–2029, following workshops with AIG members and other stakeholders. The roadmap will maintain progress on current workstreams while introducing new projects in asset resilience, the introduction of new technology, and accessing asset-related data.
AIG overview
National Freight Safety Group
Freight Safe Programme
The National Freight Safety Group (NFSG)’s new Freight Safe Programme has been developed following 12 months of planning and collaboration. Succeeding the Freight Integrated Plan, it focuses on delivering three outcomes through four projects:
the condition of freight vehicles on the network
the production of a Precursor Indicator Model for the sector
horizon scanning for future challenges
climate change and extreme weather risk management.
Toilet facilities
The NFSG welcomes the launch of the new Rail Industry Health and Safety, which will inform its strategic roadmap for CP7. Additionally, the NFSG endorses the work under way to improve welfare facilities for freight staff, including early plans for a trial. NFSG members are being encouraged to get involved in the development of a charter to collaborate on this work and progress towards making a step change for freight.
NFSG overview
Stations Working Group
Sitting on the platform edge
A recent study undertaken by RSSB’s human factors specialists has identified three main factors associated with sitting on the platform edge (SOPE): antisocial behaviour, individuals responding to a lack of seating provision, and mental ill-health. The study also suggests a likely underreporting of SOPE incidents, emphasising the need for effective preventive measures and increased awareness to address this issue. It’s also been noted that SOPE incidents are more prevalent during summer, school holidays, evenings, and weekends.
Accessibility
Complying with the gradient requirement of a deployed portable ramp while providing a suitable turning circle on existing platforms—especially platforms built to the minimum required width in RIS 7016—is proving difficult. What’s more, defining the physical capability needed by staff to assist customers in these scenarios can be challenging. The Stations Working Group (SWG) will establish if the industry would benefit from clearer guidance and if some research can be undertaken to understand optimum gradients, turning circles, and load ratios. The SWG wants to ensure that safety is not compromised, and that the railway is as accessible as possible.
SWG overview
Level Crossing Strategy Group
Signage legislated
Following two rounds of formal consultation led by the Department for Transport, the Level Crossing Strategy Group’s (LCSG) new suite of level crossing safety signs has been entered into new regulations. The Private Crossings (Signs and Barriers) Regulations 2023 were laid before Parliament for approval on 26 October and came into force on 18 November.
Roadmap review
In an initial review of the LCSG’s roadmap for CP7, six high-level strategic themes have been identified by members to discuss and prioritise through ongoing collaborative working:
strategy, standards, leadership, and coordination
improving understanding and control of risk
making the case for closure and upgrade
communicating level crossing safe use
enforcing level crossing behaviours
cross-risk group workstreams.
LCSG overview