Plant
Rolling Stock
Infrastructure
Control, Command and Signalling
Energy
Traffic Operation and Management
Data, Systems and Telematics
The Plant Standards Committee (PLT SC) continued to hold virtual meetings for most of 2022. It was planned to hold alternate meetings as hybrid meetings using RSSB facilities. The May meeting was held face-to-face, unfortunately external factors meant the other planned hybrid meetings had to be held online. PLT SC members have also undertaken reviews in correspondence between the scheduled bi-monthly meetings. This has avoided potential delays to time-critical RSSB standards projects and helped faster approval of deviations.
The revision of RIS-1530-PLT issue six, Rail Industry Standard for Technical Requirements for On-Track Plant and their Associated Equipment and Trolleys is ongoing. A key objective is to address the RAIB recommendation in report 08/2019: Collision between road-rail vehicles at Cholmondeston concerning machines being driven in reverse. It will take into account more recent RAIB investigations into incidents involving on-track plant at Rochford (08/2020 Collision between mobile elevating work platforms at Rochford) and Belle Isle (04/2022 Runaway of a road-rail vehicle at Belle Isle Junction). The update is also addressing requests for change and points of clarification raised by the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Networking Group and the Rail Plant Association, representing the owners and users of on-track plant. The revision will align with the road-rail machine standard EN 15746:2020-series Road-rail machines and associated equipment and with the new EN 15955 series Demountable machines, trailers and associated equipment that is currently in preparation.
The committee is maintaining oversight for, and coordinating the UK input into, the European Committee for CEN/TC 256/SC1/WG5 Track construction and maintenance machines. This includes:
Preparation of EN 15955 series which is combining the EN 15954 Trailers and associated equipment and the former version of EN 15955 series. Originally published as four documents this will now be in two parts, one covering specific railway requirements and the second part covering the safety (Machinery Directive) elements. Issues surrounding EU contracts for the independent harmonised assessment (HAS) of EN standards to the EU Machinery Directive is delaying publication of the revised EN 15955 series.
Revision of EN 14033 Railbound construction and maintenance machines series covering On-Track Machines has started. The formatting of part three covering the safety (Machinery Directive) elements will be changed to align with that used for EN 15595 Part 2, subject to satisfactory assessment by the HAS consultants.
A separate drafting group is producing a standard for ‘Machines without Rail Wheels.’ This document will concentrate on railway-specific topics and will incorporate content derived from RIS-1701-PLT issue five Non-Railborne Plant used for Infrastructure Work.
PLT SC is engaged with CEN TC256 WG43 on ground-based services. This includes:
Delivering new standard EN 17824 Railway applications - Ground based services - Exhaust treatment fluid (AUS 32) refilling equipment which is planned for publication in 2023.
Work on an EN standard for a high flow rate hydrogen refuelling connector
has been stopped by CEN. The content of the standard has been offered to ISO and there are ongoing discussions about incorporating this into a future railway specific part to ISO 17268 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices.
Service experience has shown a need for hydrogen refuelling times to match those achieved with diesel connection devices.
PLT SC is also coordinating the UK input into international committee ISO/TC269/SC1/WG4 Rail construction, maintenance, and inspection machines, which held its first meeting in May 2022. The first deliverable will be a technical report setting out the classification and characteristics of these machines., This will be similar to CEN TR 17498 2020 Rail mounted railway maintenance and inspection machines and associated equipment but updated to reflect different international operational practices.
Make-up of the committee
The 2022 refresh has resulted in changes to the supplier representatives and the committee has welcomed new representatives from on-track plant manufacturers and certification bodies. At the end of 2022 internal changes within Network Rail generated a temporary vacancy for one Infrastructure Manager representative and it is anticipated this will be filled early in 2023. The committee has an ongoing vacancy for a representative of passenger train operators.
Other items of note
Decarbonisation of specialised rail-mounted railway maintenance machines with alternatives to diesel fuel are being considered, with some manufacturers now offering diesel/electric hybrid power sources. On-track plant derived from civil engineering machines are now equipped with low emission exhaust treatment systems. There have been some trials of alternative power sources, including the fitment of battery packs.
Collisions between items of on-track plant, such as that covered by RAIB investigation report 09/2022 Collision between road-rail vehicles near Ramsden Bellhouse, Essex, 2 May 2021, have highlighted a need to consider fitment of collision-avoidance control systems. Network Rail has started trials with potential systems. A key requirement is an ability to discriminate non-hazardous line side features to avoid spurious alerts. This work could lead to technical requirements in a future revision of RIS-1530-PLT.
Neil Halliday Chair of the Plant Standards Committee
Thirteen standards have been published during 2022. This included four limited releases that continue the trend of updating documents to remain relevant in the post-EU environment. Five 12- and 60-month reviews were progressed during the year.
Two technical notes were published with two others due early in 2023. This is a new approach providing supporting information to published standards, enabling the Rolling Stock Standards Committee (RST SC) to rapidly address industry needs.
There are 23 active rolling stock standards projects at various stages of progress, an increase of eight from 2022. Several projects are working across subsystems.
The project to revise AC energy collection standards has been a challenging workstream, with rolling stock and energy teams working collaboratively to manage stakeholders and deliver a suite of standards that will provide benefit to industry of about £27m over the next five years.
The project to revise RIS-2711-RST issue two Lettered Differential Permissible Speeds Classification was published in September 2022. This standard delivers a significant benefit to industry with expected savings of about £12.5m over the next ten years.
The vehicle gauging standards project, a cross-disciplinary workstream involving four rolling stock and infrastructure standards, was published to plan in June 2022. This suite of standards brings benefit to the industry in several areas with expected savings of about £1.4m over five years.
The rolling stock strategic plan has progressed through its first six-month review, capturing changes as projects are completed and introducing new workstreams via a pipeline approach. It is published on the rolling stock standards committee webpage.
A position paper on Hydrogen Policy and Standards has been published on the RSSB website. This document involved complex stakeholder engagement in many domains. It has been received positively by industry and circulated by several international publications. It will form the basis of further work in this area.
The first technical note, supporting GMRT2131 issue one Audibility and Visibility of Trains, concerning non-yellow front end warning panels, was published. The technical note format is aimed at explaining or expanding upon areas within standards that require a more reactive approach from the SC, or that cannot be contained within the RGS or RIS structure.
Projects progressing through to 2023 include the revision of GEGN8502 issue one Operation of Trams and Light Rail or Metro Vehicles Over Railtrack Controlled Infrastructure to support initiatives such as ‘Restoring Your Railway’, workstreams supporting the design and maintenance of freight wagons, and GMRT2131 which concerns the audibility and visibility of trains.
TSI/NTSN mirror groups are all in place and active while awaiting the outcome of TSI changes, which have now been delayed. Support continues for CEN/TC256, CLC/TC9X, ISO/TC269, and EuroSpec.
Attendance remains consistent with several elections conducted this year and one vacancy currently open. The drive to improve diversity of membership continues, including
using the guest or observer positions to introduce committee activities to a wider stakeholder group.
Delivery of the Rolling Stock Standards Committee strategy is leading to a broader range of standards activity being covered. In addition, there is now RSSB representation on the BSI Hydrogen committee GSE/5 ensuring that rail is considered in any national hydrogen strategy. The standards committee is kept informed of developments as part of the committee proceedings.
The rolling stock standards team welcomed two new members in 2022. Building on previous years, the opportunity has been taken to broaden the knowledge in the team in assurance and general rolling stock standards. The team now has the capability to work across several subsystems and support industry more broadly.
Mark OakleyProfessional Head of Rolling Stock
Most infrastructure deviations continue to be against the platform height, offset and width requirements in GIRT7020 issue 1.1 GB Requirements for Platform Height, Platform Offset and Platform Width, although overall the number of deviations are still low.
GERT8006 issue three Route Availability Number for Assessment of Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges and RIS-8706-INS issue one Route Level Assessment of Technical Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges were published in March 2022. A route availability calculator and webpage to introduce the topic and provide links to the various documents and tools has been made available.
RSSB is working with Department for Transport (DfT) and Network Rail to develop a project that will set a clear policy and legislative framework for a suite of station standards that will cover the area from the public land to the platform-train interface. The development of the standards will benefit projects by ensuring requirements and responsibilities are set out clearly, and benefit passengers by providing an inclusive environment. This will update and combine existing standards RIS-7700-INS issue three Rail Industry Standard for Station Infrastructure, RIS-7701-INS issue one Rail Industry Standard for Automatic Ticket Gates at Stations and RIS-7702-INS issue one Rail Industry Standard for Lighting at Stations.
GCRT5021 Issue five Track System Requirements is being revised to align with other standards and incorporate research and industry knowledge since the standard was last published. It is estimated to deliver at least £1.8m of benefits over five years.
Consultation on GERT7073 issue two Requirements for the Position of Infrastructure and for Defining and Maintaining Clearances, has finished with minor comments to be addressed. Publication is planned for March 2023.
The Infrastructure Standards Committee is kept informed of European and international standardisation to which RSSB contributes via multiple committees or convenors for working groups.
Work is ongoing on the five-part suite of standards EN 15273 Railway applications – Gauges, anticipated to reach the enquiry stage in the first quarter of 2023.
The refresh of the Infrastructure Contractor category has been completed with current members being re-elected. Meetings have been well attended and members have responded positively to conducting meetings virtually through MS Teams®.
The deviations surgery continues to be well received, helping applicants with possible deviations with advice on what information is required for a successful submission.
Anup ChaliseyChair of the Infrastructure Standards Committee
The Control Command and Signalling Standards Committee (CCS SC) has had a good year. All decisions taken were compliant with The Code. The focus has continued with the development of new standards.
Two significant ones (Level Crossing Systems Fundamentals and Defect Reporting Analysis and Corrective Action System, DRACAS) have completed the system modelling phases and are now developing the requirements. All work on CCS Standards projects over the last twelve months has been on target and is proceeding according to plan.
The strategic focus areas and enabler tasks that were prioritised as first year actions in the CCS SC strategy are underway. The successful delivery of the strategy will rely on a collaborative partnership between RSSB, its members, and wider industry partners. The established close working arrangements with DfT, ORR, and RAIB continue.
Increasingly, CCS standards are employing the model-based systems engineering approach. As well as for level crossings and DRACAS, system modelling is being employed to support block systems and signal over-run risk assessment standard projects. CCS SC has increased itsinvolvement and influence in BSI, European, and IEC standards drafting groups. In support of delivering the CCS SC strategy actions, additional cyber-security expertise has been recruited.
RIS-0745-CCS Client Safety Assurance of High Integrity Software-Based Systems for Railway Applications was completed and published in September 2022. This new standard sets out the safety assurance principles to be applied by client organisations that employ high integrity software systems. It supports Network Rail in addressing recommendation one from the RAIB report 17/2019 Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line. The project employed a different delivery model to the usual RSSB approach which required a much higher degree of collaboration and engagement. The standard benefits industry by improving safety and operational performance and reducing future digitalisation costs.
The development of the CCS DRACAS system definition model has gone well and has moved into the requirements drafting phase. In parallel there has been a focus on stakeholder engagement including identifying the challenges of implementation and industry take-up, as well as the issues raised with the potentially conflicting parallel industry workstreams. Collaborative strategic engagement is creating real industry impact. Sharing the system model of a National DRACAS has educated and influenced relevant stakeholders and positively impacted oversight groups.
The development of the revised RIS-0797-CCS ERTMS/ETCS Baseline 3 Onboard Subsystem Requirements is being compiled into a new rail industry standard. There has been a great deal of industry interest in this work. The project is on target for consultation in February 2023, followed by publication expected in September 2023.
The revised RIS-8072-CCS issue two ERTMS National Identities Management was published in December 2022. The standard defines an efficient and improved management process to support the deployment of ERTMS. The process essential for safe operation of ERTMS better sets out unique values for identifying ERTMS assets, makes it easier for applicants to apply for National Identity values, removes ambiguity thereby reducing costs.
The CCS TSI/NTSN mirror group meets regularly and periodically reports to CCS Standards Committee. It has seen an increase in interest and membership over the year with additional experience coming from the supply chain. Review of the revised CCS TSI has identified some pushback on mandating the cold movement detector from ERA, although multiple member states are still vigorously pursuing it. Comments on draft changes to the 2022 CCS TSI have been submitted through the EIM representative with many comments being satisfactorily addressed. Subsequent revision to the NTSN will allow national consideration, although it will be beneficial to avoid divergence if GB views are positively reflected in the TSI.
The mirror group has requested an update to the NTSN. This allows for the introduction of train control systems that provide a migration path to ETCS, since the current situation is that the NTSN legally prevents changes to the class B system unless the modification is necessary, because of a safety flaw in those systems.
There are currently two vacant positions, one from the non-passenger category of membership and one infrastructure contractor. Recruitment for these vacancies is underway. Committee meetings have remained quorate throughout 2022.
Ged NeacyProfessional Head of Control, Command and Communications
During 2022, the Energy Standards Committee (ENE SC) has engaged with a number of projects involving new or upgraded AC electrification. This has included the extension of electrification north beyond Kettering on the Midland Main Line, the new electrification forming part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade project, the Scottish Borders project, and the Crossrail Anglia Electrification project. As a result, the committee has gained feedback on the application of the GB Energy NTSN for Interoperability, in particular, the associated NTRs contained in ENE SC’s portfolio of standards. This has provided valuable insights which helped inform the revision to the AC energy standards and the interface to rolling stock.
In addition, acting as the UK's Mirror Group, ENE SC’s involvement in evaluating the changes to the EU's Energy TSI has also increased over the latter half of this year. As a result, ENE SC anticipate endorsing the preliminary Business Case for Change (BCfC) in early 2023.
This year we have also seen a number of key European standards concerning electrification, especially those supporting interoperability, being revised and subsequently published in the UK by BSI.
Also, during this year ENE SC’s strategy has been approved and published. This strategy is being reflected within ENE SC’s ongoing activities, such as the project to revise the AC standards. This is a powerful example of how ENE SC’s work seeks to support the further deployment of cost-effective electrification. This also enhances rail’s environmental credentials, with electrification’s inherent environmental benefits in terms of carbon emissions reduction and local air quality improvements, particularly when displacing or avoiding conventional diesel services.
ENE SC previously indicated its intention to update GLRT1210 issue two AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem, this being the second part of a two-stage revision.
This document contains NTRs for the Energy subsystem. This second stage involved a major revision of the AC Energy standard and associated guidance. This was progressed as part of a wider project, along with an update of the complementary standard, GMRT2111 issue two Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interfaces to AC Energy Subsystem. This further consolidates industry's learning and experience since 2014 when the first issue was published and complements the modest and targeted revision in 2019. This project has been a substantial undertaking which comprises two significantly revised RGSs, two new RISs and the withdrawal of two guidance notes. As the potential industry benefits arising from this project were recognised to be substantial and industry desired to reap the benefits at the earliest opportunity, the timescale for delivering this project was accelerated by a number of months. This resulted in a highly ambitious stretch target of publication in December 2022. This revision also takes account of the post-EU-exit legislative landscape. It removes all duplication with the ENE NTSN and ensures the remaining requirements meet the current criteria for NTRs. In addition, two new RISs have been created. These documents include content previously in RGSs which no longer meets the criteria for NTR, but which industry has decided remains beneficial to retain within the RSSB standards regime. The development of these RGS and RIS takes account of industry application experience gained over the preceding years from deviation applications and other forms of feedback. Findings from research projects have also been integrated where relevant. Industry has also indicated its desire to adopt the latest versions of European Standards where these are better suited to the needs of the GB mainline railway.
The consultation for this project generated a significant volume of comments, containing some disparate and challenging views. The RSSB project team worked expeditiously with stakeholders to address and respond to their comments. This project involved considerable stakeholder input and a high degree of collaboration, particularly in its latter stages. It is anticipated that these revised and new standards, published in December 2022, will deliver benefits across areas including legal compliance and assurance; health, safety, and security; reliabilityand operational performance; design and maintenance; people, process, and system. In total, this project is expected to bring industry benefits of at least £27m over the next five-year period.
ENE SC has also actively supported RSSB's work in analysing the TSIs which are being developed as part of the EU’s policy pillars of ‘digital rail’ and ‘green freight’. So far as the Energy TSI is concerned, much of the change relates to European Standards referenced in the Energy TSI. However, due to the timescales for production of the revisions to the TSI and for the associated EN standards, the TSIs do not necessarily reference the latest versions of EN standards. While it is anticipated that the Energy subsystem NTSN for the GB mainline railway will remain largely aligned with the latest TSI there may be benefits from some degree of divergence.
Via the British Standards Institute (BSI) and its committees, ENE SC continues to monitor and inform the UK’s input to the drafting of European standards related to electrification undertaken by CENELEC. In several cases, reaching a European consensus on requirements has taken a considerable time. Much of the effort during this year has been focused on the resolution of comments arising from the vote phase for standards EN 50388-1 Technical criteria for the coordination between traction power supply and rolling stock to achieve interoperability, and the EN 50122 series (three parts) for Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit. These standards form an important part of the European standardisation activities, and in UK they support the Railway Interoperability Regulations (RIR) via the NTR and NTSN for Great Britain. The enquiry stage for these documents generated a considerable volume of comments. Some have been deferred to a future revision.
The committee also continues to monitor the activities of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) in relation to the revision of the Energy TSI.
The process for updating TSIs is new with regards to how the Agency engages with the European representative bodies such as EIM and CER.
It is anticipated that the European Commission is likely to publish the next TSI update package in early 2023.
For the majority of the year, ENE SC has been operating with full representation for each member category. The routine annual refresh has also been undertaken successfully and a substantial body of experience continues to be available within ENE SC.
ENE SC has worked with RSSB and a number of stakeholders on deviations that have the potential to reduce the cost of electrification while remaining safe and consistent with the best long-term interests of the GB mainline railway. The larger volume of deviations seen this year indicates that projects are making effective use of this process to implement alternative arrangements, where it is appropriate and advantageous to do so. A significant number of applications have limited the reconstruction or modification of existing overbridge parapets where new electrification is being installed. This has resulted in savings in both cost and time.
We have also worked with a smaller number of stakeholders where they wish to adopt an alternative approach to the dimensioning of the overhead contact line zone. This zone is used to determine the extent of trackside bonding required to mitigate the electric shock risk arising from broken live overhead conductors coming into contact with other assets. This enables the bonding design to be optimised, avoids unnecessary work, and therefore reduces the cost of electrification. Both these types of deviations have been considered in the revision to the AC electrification standards so that they will be largely unnecessary in future.
Mike TattonChair of the Energy Standards Committee
In August 2022, Gary Portsmouth temporarily stepped down as the Chair of Traffic and Operation Management Standards Committee (TOM SC) while he works on other projects for RSSB. TOM SC agreed to appoint James Webb, Interim Head of Rail Operations, as the Chair during Gary’s absence.
TOM SC continued to support industry’s efforts to facilitate the introduction of multi-mode trains to support decarbonisation, and to improve the quality of accident and incident investigations. This resulted in the successful publication, in March 2022, of both RIS-3784-TOM issue one Provision of Signage at Power Changeover Locations and RIS-3119-TOM issue three Accident and Incident Investigation. In addition, RIS-8070-TOM issue two Drugs and alcohol testing for safety-critical workers was published, and GEGN8570 issue two Guidance on the Management of Drugs and Alcohol was withdrawn to provide the industry with fair and effective means to manage the impact of drugs on safety-critical workers.
In June, RIS-8040-TOM issue two Managing Low Adhesion was published. With effective use of stakeholder engagement and enhanced focus due to the Salisbury incident, the project was delivered three months ahead of schedule, allowing the outputs to be published before the 2022 leaf-fall season.
TOM SC authorised three rail industry standards for publication in September.
RIS-3786-TOM issue one Trespass Risk Assessment, discussed in more detail in section two of this report.
RIS-3703-TOM issue five Passenger Train Dispatch and Platform Safety Measures, providing help for transport operators to take better decisions on methods of train dispatch.
RIS-3437-TOM issue three Defective On-Train Equipment and the associated Rule Book module GERT8000-TW5, providing greater clarity around the operational response to certain defects to reduce the operational impact while maintaining or improving the level of safety. This has a projected benefit to the industry of over £1m over five years.
The annual Rule Book updates to modules and handbooks AC and DC came into force in December 2022. Changes to the Rule Book included the removal of gender-specific language. These changes are intended to make roles more inclusive and not deter potential female applicants. The term ‘pilotman’ is being replaced by ‘pilot’ and references to ‘manned level crossings’ are being changed to ‘manually-controlled level crossings’. These, along with other changes involving working on rail vehicles within a possession, engineering trains leaving a possession, line blockages, and wrong-direction movements, affected a total of 17 modules and handbooks. In addition, the committee approved the publication of a brand-new information handbook, RS525 issue 1 ERTMS Handbook, explaining the basic concepts and operating principles of ERTMS.
TOM SC will be supporting several standards change projects, including:
Secondary communications in the absence of GSM-R, taking an evidence- and risk-based approach to help industry decide what level and type of secondary communication provision are appropriate when new signalling schemes are carried out. This project will also review the arrangements for assistance and emergency protection.
A fundamental review of medical standards, including RIS-3451-TOM issue one Train Drivers – Suitability and Medical Fitness Requirements.
A new guidance note, GOGN3616 issue one Guidance on Operational Railway Safety Awareness. This will help railway undertakings harmonise arrangements for operational safety awareness training across the industry. It will also provide guidance to support the tailoring of training to different job roles depending on the tasks staff carry out, rather than assuming a ‘one size fits all’ approach is sufficient.
Updates to RIS-3780-TOM issue one Operational Requirements for GSM-R Radio, to allow the use of a competent person in a non-leading cab as a mitigation in the event of radio failure in the leading cab.
Updates to RIS-3350-TOM issue one Communication of Urgent Operating Advice. This will be updated to the current RIS format, with enhanced guidance provided to support transport operators use the correct reporting channels following an incident.
A review of RIS-3751-TOM issue three Rail Industry Standard for Train Driver Selection. The standard will be updated to align with current legislation including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), OPE NTSN and Train Driver Licences and Certificates Regulations. It will also refer to relevant guidance documents, such as those developed by the Rail Delivery Group’s Train Drivers Academy, and the British Psychological Society.
James WebbChair of the Traffic and Operations Management Standards Committee
In January 2022, ISCC endorsed the establishment of the Data, Systems and Telematics Standards Committee (DST SC). DST SC is the first new standards committee to be set up for more than two decades and addresses recognised gaps in industry oversight and standardisation in the fields of data, operational systems, and the exchange of information between systems. It has responsibility for managing the change control process for the Telematic Applications for Freight (TAF) and the Telematic Applications for Passenger Services (TAP) NTSNs. It also oversees the development and maintenance of standards, guidance notes, and other documents that support organisations in sharing data more easily, and exploiting it more effectively.
The first three meetings of DST SC, in September, October, and November, focussed on informing members about standards and RSSBprocesses, establishing the systems, data, and processes within scope, and developing prioritisation techniques to help define the committee’s programme of work.
Initial priority areas under active consideration include the standardisation of time between systems, the integration between traffic management and stock and crew systems, the processes and data required for the exchange of timetable information, and the unique identification of train services.
DST SC has also started exploring its relationships with other industry groups, such as the Data & Information System Interface Committee, (Heads of) Control Forum, and the Vehicle / Train Control & Communications System Interface Committee. 2023 will see the building of working relationships between these groups and wider industry programmes, such as the East Coast Deployment Programme.
DST SC has established a TAF TAP TSI/NTSN Mirror Group, which met twice during the last quarter of 2022. The group has reviewed and commented on the changes to the 2021 TAF TSI for inclusion in an updated TAF NTSN. The group’s position on the changes will be reported back to DST SC and put out for wider industry consultation in 2023.
Further changes to both the TAF and TAP TSIs, and subsequently NTSNs, are also expected in 2023.
After engagement with ISCC, RSSB members and the wider industry, all bar one of the membership categories (Infrastructure Contractors) have been filled with some oversubscribed with applications for membership. All the members are new to RSSB Standards Committees and have been supported with a comprehensive induction. Throughout the period, meetings have remained quorate.
Liz DaviesChair of the Data, Systems and Telematics Standards Committee
