Key achievements in 2024
• Operation of Route and Line Proving Trains ❯
• Trackworkers walking on or near the line ❯
• Managing track forces and resistance to derailment and roll-over ❯
• Improving the design of train driving cabs ❯
• Route Availability Number for Assessment of Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges ❯
• Level Crossing System Integration ❯
Following the Carmont incident in 2020, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) recommended clarifying the arrangements for operating route-proving trains. This task was assigned to RSSB, with support from Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
The result is RIS-3771-TOM issue one Operation of Route and Line Proving Trains, a new industry standard developed in collaboration with experts from the GB mainline railway. This standard is supplemented by new rules in Rule Book modules TW1 issue 20 Preparation and movement of trains, HB1 issue eight General duties and track safety for track workers, and HB8 issue 10 IWA, COSS or PC blocking a line.
Route proving is not a new process but was carried out in different ways across different routes and regions. RAIB highlighted the need for more consistent guidance for transport operators, signallers, drivers, and on-track staff. RIS-3771-TOM and its supplementary rules are the industry-agreed means to standardise this process.
Route proving involves operating trains on routes closed due to extreme weather events, like those preceding the Carmont accident. With increasing climate challenges, route controllers are likely to close routes more frequently. This will affect services offered by train and freight operating companies. This was notably observed in Scotland earlier in 2024, where many route-proving trains confirmed infrastructure safety following extreme weather.
Additionally, RSSB was tasked with including guidance for line-proving trains in RIS-3771-TOM. Line proving ensures signalling equipment functions correctly after prolonged closures, such as extended engineering blockades. New rules in Rule Book module TS1 issue 18.1 General signalling regulations provide instructions for signallers on monitoring track circuits, and using level crossing controls while undertaking line proving.
The new publication integrates with operating procedures by Network Rail and transport operators, fostering enhanced collaboration. Further benefits of this project include reducing delays by making sure lines are safe before services restart and that staff can address issues during closures.
Visit the standards catalogue to access RIS-3771-TOM issue one, Operation of Route and Line Proving Trains.
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The project is estimated to have over £6m benefit for the industry over five years. Most importantly, the provision of clear instructions for staff will reduce misunderstandings and potential harm to passengers.
Network Rail has a programme to reduce the amount of work when lookouts are used to protect staff. This has caused consideration of the rules about trackworkers walking on or near the line.
These rules were generic, did not consider differing levels of staff competency, and were open to interpretation. This led to variations in practice. Serious incidents have involved trackworkers being struck by trains or facing ‘close calls’.
Network Rail asked for updated rules to make clear which trackworkers are permitted to walk on open lines, where, and why. They also requested clear rules for staff who need to cross lines that are open to traffic. A project was set up to achieve these objectives.
To inform the work, the Network Rail Technical Authority commissioned a series of hazard identification workshops, with attendees from Network Rail, its supply chain, and RSSB.
The result was revised rules in force from December 2024. These allow only an individual working alone (IWA) or a controller of site safety (COSS) to go alone on or near the line when working or walking, to or from, a site of work with a recognised safe system of work in place. There are also new instructions on bypassing unexpected obstacles, crossing open lines, and a person joining or leaving a group.
The safe system of work must be one defined in the Rule Book or one developed subject to risk assessment using Network Rail guidance.
This work will benefit the industry by potentially reducing fatalities, injuries, legal costs, and train delays. The total benefits over five years are estimated to be around £3.8 million.
Visit the standards catalogue to access:
• GERT8000-HB1 issue 8 ❯ General duties and track safety for track workers.
• GERT8000-HB6 issue 8 ❯General duties of an individual working alone (IWA).
• GERT8000-HB7 issue 9 ❯General duties of a controller of site safety (COSS).
GMRT2141 issue five Permissible Track Forces and Resistance to Derailment and Roll-Over of Railway Vehicles sets out requirements for railway vehicle behaviour, especially in relation to overspeeding.
The main requirements for permissible track forces for mainline railway vehicles are given in the Locomotives and Passenger Vehicles National Technical Specification Notice (LOC&PAS NTSN), the Freight Wagons NTSN (WAG NTSN), and the referenced European standard.
The LOC&PAS NTSN (for passenger vehicles) and the WAG NTSN (for freight vehicles) allow previous British practices to continue for compatibility with mainline infrastructure. These alternative requirements, and variations permitted by the European standard, are detailed in GMRT2141.
We revised GMRT2141 to incorporate experiential learning and to improve guidance. The previous issue, issue four, introduced the requirement for vehicles carrying intermodal load units to undertake the twist test in conditions of offset loading. Experience in applying this requirement has enabled improved guidance to be added in this new issue. A permission is also included for the case where the specified offset loads cannot be achieved within the wagon’s approved loading.
Additional clarification will make demonstration of compliance more straightforward for projects. This will reduce costs and potentially shorten timescales for introducing new or modified wagons. The changes in issue five of GMRT2141, together with those in the associated guidance note GMGN2641 issue two Rail Industry Guidance Note on Vehicle Static Testing which has also been updated, are estimated to benefit the industry by £3M over five years through improved efficiency of a range of new and modified vehicle projects.
Visit the standards catalogue to access GMRT2141 issue five, Permissible Track Forces and Resistance to Derailment and Roll-Over of Railway Vehicles.
The design of driving cabs varies across rolling stock types. It is impractical to make all driving cab designs the same. However, it is useful to make key features and attributes of driving cabs similar. This mitigates common ergonomic problems and provides good practice for key design features.
RIS-2761-RST issue two Rail Industry Standard for Driving Cabs sets out requirements, rationale, and guidance for the design, layout and operational equipment in driving cabs of rail vehicles. The requirements are supplementary to those in the Locomotive and Passenger National Technical Specification Notice (LOC&PAS NTSN) and national technical rules (NTRs) in GMRT2161 issue 2.1 Requirements for Driving Cabs of Railway Vehicles.
RIS-2761-RST issue two sets out new requirements for side glazing in driving cabs to support drivers stopping trains in line with station features. It also includes new requirements for thermal comfort, including air conditioning, and the illumination of cab footsteps to reduce the risk of injury when accessing or egressing the driving cab during hours of darkness. Guidance on good practice in human factors for driving cab design has been added as an appendix.
This approach to driving cab design puts the human at the centre of the design process and considers how they interact with the vehicle. This will result in improved comfort for drivers and reduce instances of discomfort or injury to drivers. In turn, this can reduce operational risks such as train stop-shorts and station over-runs.
The adoption of the standard is projected to deliver savings to industry of about £830,000 over five years.
Visit the standards catalogue to access RIS-2761-RST issue two, Rail Industry Standard for Driving Cabs.
The Route Availability (RA) system provides a simple method for assessing the compatibility of the weight of rail vehicles with the load carrying capacity of underline bridges. This ensures that a bridge is not overloaded.
This year we published GERT8006 issue four Route Availability (RA) Number for Assessment of Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges, RIS-8706-INS issue two Route Level Assessment of Technical Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges and GEGN8616 issue one Guidance on evaluating excessive dynamic effects in underline bridges. We also created a webpage explaining route availability and a free RA calculator, accessible via the RSSB website.
Updating GERT8006 and RIS-8706-INS gives clarity to the industry on assessment criteria for RA calculations. The new guidance note helps the industry to evaluate and mitigate risk of excessive dynamic effects in underline bridges for the introduction of new vehicles, modifications to existing bridges, and installation of new bridges. The RA calculator is a free online tool that simplifies the process of determining a vehicle's RA number.
• GERT8006 issue four ❯Route Availability Number for Assessment of Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges.
• RIS-8706-INS issue two ❯Route Level Assessment of Technical Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges.
• GEGN8616 issue one ❯Guidance on evaluating excessive dynamic effects in underline bridges.
The UK mainline railway has nearly 2,500 level crossings, each posing a risk of a train colliding with a level crossing user. These crossings account for 4% of the total risk on the GB mainline railway, with about 6.1 fatalities and weighted injuries (FWI) per year. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes guidance on assessing these risks.
Legislation requires infrastructure managers to implement safety measures to mitigate risk at level crossings as far as reasonably practicable. These features and functions implemented to control the risk are called a level crossing system.
RIS-0793-CCS issue one Level Crossing Systems is a new standard for industry. It defines the level crossing system and outlines the controls to mitigate risks. The document is used with a risk assessment and is aimed at railway duty holders, suppliers, and contractors to help them reduce risks at level crossings.
Its requirements are independent of existing design solutions, allowing for new technology without driving up costs unnecessarily. Guidance is provided on how to achieve risk control using technology, people, or both, while emphasising good practices and recognising the constraints set out in regulations and level crossing orders.
RIS-0793-CCS aims to realise a total value to industry of £1.44 million over ten years, resulting from improvements to safety at level crossings and level crossing system design efficiencies.
Visit the standards catalogue to access RIS-0793-CCS issue one, Level Crossing Systems.