This section provides a summary of the overall status of the standards catalogue to demonstrate adherence to the requirements of the Railway Group Standards Code and Standards Manual, and as an indicator of good stewardship.
The ‘Code’ is set by ORR. It defines the procedures by which RGS are created, revised, or withdrawn, authorised and published. It also defines the procedures by which the effectiveness of RGS is monitored and reviewed and how to manage deviations. The Code is supported by a Standards Manual which describes how the requirements of The Code are to be delivered. This report meets a requirement of The Code.
The Code and Manual are in the process of being revised.
The Code requires standards to be reviewed at least every five years; as the review is only due in the fifth year, we measure this over six years. In the last six years we have regularly reviewed all of the standards due for review, but three reviews have not yet concluded.
RIS‑3436‑TOM issue 1 Information for Safe Train Operation, was published in December 2016. A review commenced in 2022, but is still underway as further work is required. The review of Rule Book Handbook 5 issue 2.1 Handsignalling duties was due in December 2022 and will be completed in February 2023 (a minor revision was published in December 2022 but this did not include a comprehensive review of the content).
Finally, RIS-1530-PLT issue 6 Rail Industry Standard for Technical Requirements for On-Track Plant and their Associated Equipment and Trolleys was due for review in 2022 but is part of an ongoing project to revise the standard, delivery expected in September 2023.
Figure 1: Number of published standards and years since their last review
Overall, standards reviews are done continually, to schedule and earlier if the case merits it. The number overdue is maintaining its low position as with recent years after a historic backlog was cleared in 2019.
Standards with ten or more deviations
The number of deviations against a standard can be an indicator of its fitness for purpose, but some standards encourage deviations trials and temporary works, so the measure is not always appropriate.
Figure 2a: Applications received and approved - Permanent applications
Figure 2b: Applications received and approved - Time-limited applications
There is only one standard with more than ten deviations against the live issue, GLRT1210 issue two AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem. It has 49 live deviations. However, this standard will be withdrawn on 4 March 2023 and the vast majority of the deviations are compliant with issue 3 of the standard published on 3 December 2022.
Figure 2a and 2b show the number of applications RSSB receives each year and the number of applications that the standards committees approve in the same year. Some applications are either waiting for information from the applicant, or the committees have not yet taken a decision on the application. In any given year, the committees may also approve deviations received in previous years, as happens frequently at the beginning of a year. The difference between the quantity received and the quantity approved is mostly due to applicants withdrawing applications (see Figure 4). The significant increase in 2022 is due to applications received against the AC electrification standards.
Figure 3a and 3b show the number of applications, at the end of each year that are on hold, because the respective standards committee has not been able to make a decision.
This is usually because the applicant has not yet been able to supply all the relevant information to support their application.
Figure 3a: Deviation applications on hold - Permanent applications
Figure 3b: Deviation applications on hold - Time-limited applications
A revision to a standard is prompted by a proposal which, if supported by RSSB and the standards committees, is progressed to a project to change the standard.
At the end of 2022 the standards catalogue had 295 live RSSB documents. This is one more than in 2021. The number of rail industry standards has increased by
eight, but this has been mainly offset by a reduction of six guidance notes which have been incorporated into other standards, there is also one fewer Railway Group Standard. Figure 7 shows the range of types
of documents and Table 1 lists the detailed changes to the catalogue. Figure 8 shows that trend from 2005 with RGSs increasingly being superseded by RISs. RGSs now make up 11% of all live documents in 2022. RISs make up 39%.
Figure 4b: Deviation applications withdrawn or expired - Time-limited applications
Figure 4a: Deviation applications withdrawn or expired - Permanent applications
Figure 5: Number of proposals received. The bottom striped area shows the number of withdrawn proposals.
Figure 6: Closed and live proposals per year
Figure 7: Documents in the standards catalogue
Figure 8: Document types in the standards catalogue by year
March 2022
Revised
RIS-3119-TOM issue three Accident and Incident Investigation
New
RIS-3784-TOM issue one Provision of Signage at Power Changeover Locations
RIS-8070-TOM issue two Drugs and alcohol testing for safety-critical workers
Withdrawn
GKGN0802 issue one Glossary of Signalling Terms
GEGN8570 issue two Guidance on the Management of Drugs and Alcohol
June 2022
GMRT2173 issue four Size of Vehicles and Position of Equipment
GMGN2571 issue two Storage and Recommissioning of Rail Vehicles
RIS-2773-RST issue two Format and Methods for Defining Vehicle Gauging Data
RIS-7016-INS issue two Interface between Station Platforms, Track, Trains and Buffer Stops
GIRT7020 Issue two GB Requirements for Platform Height, Platform Offset and Platform Width
RIS-8040-TOM Issue two Managing Low Adhesion
GERT8273 issue one Assessment of Compatibility of Rolling Stock and Infrastructure - Gauging and Stepping Distances
RIS-8273-RST issue one Assessment of Compatibility of Rolling Stock and Infrastructure - Gauging and Stepping Distances
GEGN8540 issue two Guidance on Low Adhesion between the Wheel and the Rail - Managing the Risk
Table 1a: New, revised, and withdrawn standards deviations published in 2022 (March and June only)
September 2022
RS525 issue one ERTMS Handbook
RIS-0745-CCS issue one Client safety assurance of high integrity software-based systems for railway applications
RIS-3437-TOM issue three Defective On-Train Equipment
RIS-3703-TOM issue five Passenger Train Dispatch and Platform Safety Measures
RIS-3786-TOM issue one Trespass Risk Assessment
RIS-7706-INS issue one Process for Adding, Removing or Updating Differential Permissible Speeds
GERT8000
GERT8000-HB8 issue nine IWA, COSS or PC blocking a line
GERT8000-HB9 issue eight IWA or COSS setting up safe systems of work within possessions
GERT8000-HB11 issue ten Duties of the person in charge of the possession (PICOP)
GERT8000-HB12 issue nine Duties of the engineering supervisor (ES) or safe work leader (SWL) in a possession
GERT8000-HB12 issue three Duties of the engineering supervisor (ES) or safe work leader (SWL) in a possession on ERTMS lines where lineside signals are not provided
GERT8000-HB13 issue three Duties of the person in charge of the siding possession (PICOS)
GERT8000-HB15 issue six Duties of the machine controller (MC) and on-track plant operator
GERT8000-P1 issue eight Single line working
GERT8000-P2 issue seven Working single and bi-directional lines by pilot
GERT8000-SS1 issue eight Station duties and train dispatch
GERT8000-T3 issue eleven Possession of a running line for engineering work
GERT8000-T10 issue six Duties of a designated person (DP) and people working on rail vehicles
GERT8000-TS1 issue sixteen General signalling regulations
GERT8000-TW1 issue eighteen Preparation and movement of trains
GERT8000-TW5 issue eleven Preparation and movement of trains: Defective or isolated vehicles and on-train equipment
GERT8000-TW7 issue nine Wrong-direction movements
Table 1b: New, revised, and withdrawn standards deviations published in 2022 (September only)
Table 1c: New, revised, and withdrawn standards deviations published in 2022 (December only)
December 2022
GLRT1210 issue three AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem
GLGN1610 issue two Guidance on AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem
RIS-1853-ENE issue one AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem
GMRT2111 issue three Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interfaces to AC Energy Subsystem
GMGN2611 issue two Guidance on Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interfaces to AC Energy Subsystem
RIS-2715-RST issue one Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interfaces to AC Energy Subsystem
RIS-8072-CCS issue 2 ERTMS National Identities Management
GERT8000-T3-ERTMS Possession of an ERTMS running line for engineering work where lineside signals are not provided
The ‘Request for Help’ process is the principal way in which standards users can initially engage with RSSB. This opportunity is available to anybody, and a simple form helps to identify the user, define the problem and explain what good would look like.
RSSB reviews each request in detail to determine how best to support the applicant. The ‘Request for Help’ process is the primary means to request a change to a standard or provide support to the user in understanding a standard and how to apply it.
In other cases, the applicant might need a deviation to the standard, or sometimes it might be more appropriate to publish an amendment to the standard.
The simple ‘Request for Help’ process enables standards users to explain their challenges and the benefits they are seeking, and to engage effectively with RSSB, without the user needing to have a comprehensive understanding of the standards framework.
The ‘Request for Help’ process is an indicator of the suitability of standards, especially if the outcome is a change to standards. RSSB received 69 requests in 2022, 8 fewer than in 2021. Those that are likely to result in a change to standards are listed below, grouped by standards committee.
In 2022 RSSB received eighteen requests about rolling stock standards Ten requests have resulted in changes being made, or planned to be made, to the following standards:
Possible new standard to be developed on onboard air quality
Possible new Guidance Note to be developed on battery-powered rolling stock
New Standard to be developed Introduction and operation of battery powered rolling stock [provisional title]
New standard to be developed Sanding Systems for Rolling Stock [provisional title]
GMRT2131 issue one Audibility and Visibility of Trains
GMRT2141 issue 4.1 Permissible Track Forces and Resistance to Derailment and Roll-Over of Railway Vehicles
RIS-2700-RST issue two Rail Industry Standard for Verification of Conformity of Engineering Change to Rail Vehicles
RIS-2706-RST issue 2.1 Recording of Rolling Stock Data
NTSN: Rolling Stock - Locomotive & Passenger (LOC&PAS)
In 2022 RSSB received twelve requests about control command & signalling standards. Five requests have resulted in changes being made, or planned to be made, to these standards:
New Standard to be developed GB Authorisation for Placing into Service of ETCS on-board [provisional title]
New Standard to be developed Standardising Time
RIS-0733-CCS issue one Lineside Operational Signs
RIS-0784-CCS issue two The Management of Packet 44 Applications
RIS-0792-CCS issue one Level Crossing Operational Interfaces with Trains
In 2022 RSSB received twenty-seven requests about traffic operation management standards. Twenty two requests have resulted in changes being made, or planned to be made, to these standards:
GERT8000-AC issue seven AC Electrified Lines
GERT8000-Gloss issue six Glossary of Railway Terminology
GERT8000-HB5 issue two Handsignalling duties
GERT8000-HB10, issue 4.1 Duties of the COSS or SWL and person in charge when using a hand trolley
GERT8000-P1 issue eight Single Line Working
GERT8000-S5 issue ten Passing a signal at danger or an end of authority (EoA) without a movement authority (MA)
GERT8000-TS2 issue five Track circuit block regulations
GERT8000-TS3 issue seven Absolute block regulations
GERT8000-S7 issue five Observing and obeying signalling indications. Train warning systems. Reporting signalling failures and irregularities
GERT8000-SS2 issue 5.2 Shunting
GERT8000-T3 issue 7.1 Absolute block regulations
GERT8000-TW1, issue eighteen Preparation and movement of trains
GERT8000-TW4, issue one Preparation and working of freight trains
GERT8000-TW7, issue 9 Wrong-direction movements
RTWO04 issue 12-22 Written Order 04 Permission to Make a Wrong-Direction Movement Form
RTWO05 issue 12-22 Written Order 05 Permission to Proceed Under Modified Working Arrangements on Single and Bi-Directional Lines Form
In 2022 RSSB received five requests about infrastructure standards. Two requests have resulted in changes being made, or planned to be made, to these standards:
GIGN5633 issue one Recommendations for the Risk Assessment of Buffer Stops and End Impact Walls
In 2022 RSSB received three requests about energy standards. One requests has resulted in changes being made, or planned to be made, to this standard:
GLRT1210, issue two AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem
In 2022 RSSB received one request about plant standards. No requests have resulted in changes being made or planned to be made.
Railway Group Standards (RGSs) can only contain requirements that meet the criteria of national technical rules (NTR) or national safety rules (NSR). Historically, the criteria for requirements in RGSs was different, and so some older standards contain requirements that are not NTRs.
Currently, there are no NSRs because safety requirements are addressed by other means.
RGSs can be divided into three categories:
Category A: RGSs where all requirements are notified
Category B: RGSs where some requirements are notified
Category C: RGSs where none of the requirements are notified.
All new RGSs are in category A, but there are older RGSs that are in category B.
Those remaining in category B require attention to migrate the content so that they move into category A or are withdrawn. The action being taken with these is agreed by the relevant standards committees and is summarised below.
The last standards in category C were revised in 2022. There are now no standards in category C.
This section contains all the RGSs that are live in the standards catalogue.
During the year, seven category A standards were revised as part of the normal standards review process.
These standards are listed in Table 1.
One standard that was in Category B, GMRT2173 issue four Size of Vehicles and Position of Equipment has been revised and is now in Category A.
Requirements not meeting the NTR criteria and deemed valid have been transferred to complementary RISs (RIS-2773-RST, issue two Format and Methods for Defining Vehicle Gauging Data and RIS-8273-RST issue one Assessment of Compatibility of Rolling Stock and Infrastructure – Gauging and Stepping Distances).
GCRT5021 Issue 5 – Track System Requirements
December 2011Lead SC: INS
As planned, a project to revise this standard commenced in 2021. The change will corporate findings from RSSB research project T1073 ‘Loading requirements for track systems on track quality and improve curving requirements’.
Requirements that do not meet the criteria of an NTR will be transferred to a new rail industry standard (RIS-7707-INS). Industry consultation was planned to be undertaken in May 2022 but has been delayed awaiting the outcome of the research project that is running late from an academic partner.
Publication is now planned for December 2023.
GERT8014 Issue 2 – Axlebox Condition Monitoring - Hot Axlebox Detection
June 2011Lead SC: RST
The standard is planned to be withdrawn in June 2023 as it does not contain requirements that meet the NTR criteria, despite the presence of LOC & PAS NTSN specific case 7.3.2.3 (axle box condition monitoring) for which rules have been previously notified in error.
A new RIS, RIS-2714-RST, is being developed for the retention of requirements deemed to be valid or useful, industry consultation for this is due to commence in January 2023 with publication planned for June 2023.
GERT8018 Issue 2 – Mechanical Trainstop System Interface
September 2012Lead SC: CCS
The five-year review concluded in June 2020. The only material comment from consultation was from a supplier who considered there would be no benefit in updating the standard because mechanical train stops are legacy systems that are unlikely to be installed again. Although the standard contains some requirements that do not meet the NTR criteria, this only impacts on the process of authorisation of a new CCS subsystem using mechanical train stop technology. Such applications are expected to be infrequent, which means that there would be little benefit in committing resources to a standard change project.
GMRT2131 Issue 1 – Audibility and Visibility of Trains
December 2015Lead SC:RST
A Business Case for Change is currently being developed for agreement in April 2023 to make the case to revise the standard, withdrawing requirements that do not meet the NTR criteria and transferring requirements deemed to be valid or useful to Rail Industry Standards (RISs). GMRT2131 issue two will contain NTRs for audibility and visibility and the intention is to develop two new complementary rail industry standards, one for audibility and the other for visibility.
In the interim, a technical note (TN101) on train front-end visibility requirements and safe integration was published for members in November 2022 to support users involved in the introduction of new rolling stock, or rolling stock modified in ways that affects its visibility.
GMRT2132 Issue 1 – On-board Energy Metering for Billing Purposes
September 2010Lead SC: RST
A five-year review was carried in October 2020. RST SC agreed with the recommendation to carry out a fundamental update of the standard after 1 January 2022, considering the UK position on implementation of requirements being enacted in the European Union as part of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/868 for Member States to implement on ground energy data collecting system capable of exchanging compiled energy billing data.
Work to update the standard has not yet been initiated pending clarity on whether GB may implement the collection of data differently in the future. This issue is recorded on the NTSN issues log and discussions are ongoing between RSSB, DfT, ORR, and Network Rail.
GOOTS303 - Issue 1 – Secondary Door Locking – Operational Requirements
January 1993Lead SC: RST
The RST SC, at its March 2019 meeting, decided that this standard is to be reclassified as a RIS. This project is on hold as a low priority pending resource allocation.
Category C RGSs where none of the requirements are notified
There are no longer any RGSs in Category C. During the year, GERT8273 issue one Assessment of Compatibility of Rolling Stock and Infrastructure – Gauging and Stepping Distances, the only standard in Category C, was withdrawn in June 2022 as planned, as part of the wider revision of the vehicle gauging standards, because it did not contain requirements that met the NTR criteria.
Changes to standards are managed as a project. Some are significant multi-year projects, others are much smaller in the order of a few months. The number of projects and the number of standards documents produced are crude indicators of the scale of activity and provide a measure of volume from one year to the next.
Table 2 shows various statistics for 2022 and the three preceding years for comparison. During 2022 there were 97 active projects, each one changing at least one standard or related documents, and often several. Sometimes some projects go on hold and come off hold, which means they will be delivered but are not actively being worked on. Usually this is because the technical resource is being deployed on higher priority work or because the project is awaiting input from the industry.
Significantly, for each of the last four years, all projects have been produced on time, or early, against their baselined schedule. This doesn’t always mean that they have met their original schedule, but it does mean that all changes to schedule have been effectively managed and with the support of relevant stakeholders, as appropriate.
Table 2: Project statistics 2019-2022
Active projects at start of year
34
52
74
Projects active during year
59
85
98
97
Projects on hold at end of year
6
24
14
Projects underway at end of year
39
76
89
Projects scheduled to be delivered in next year
22
12
18
Projects delivered during the year
23
17
Projects delivered during the year on time or early
Number of standards documents issued, revised, or withdrawn
81
88
58
