Infrastructure
The Infrastructure Standards Committee (INS SC) continues to perform well, with a significant workload through the year. The deviations surgery continues to be well received and is helping applicants with possible deviations. Advice is provided on the information required for a successful submission.
Most infrastructure deviation submissions have been temporary and against the platform width requirements in GIRT7020 issue two GB Requirements for Platform Height, Platform Offset and Platform Width. There has only been an increase in the submission of permanent deviation applications. Most have been about ‘window box’ clearances for compatibility with the few vehicles that still have opening droplight windows.
RSSB is working with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to develop a suite of station standards to align with the legislative framework. They will cover the area from the public land to the platform train interface. The development of the standards will benefit projects by ensuring that requirements and responsibilities are set out clearly, and that passengers will experience 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.
Work is underway on RIS-2774-INS issue one Probabilistic Gauging. This will help the industry move away from over-conservative gauging practices. These can be a hurdle to the introduction of rolling stock. Probabilistic gauging associates a probability to the likelihood of fouling which can be used to avoid unnecessary changes to infrastructure and realise important cost savings.
The committee is kept informed of European and international standardisation. RSSB contributes to several committees and provides convenors for a number of working groups.
Work is ongoing on the five-part suite of standards EN 15273 Railway applications – Gauges, which has been through enquiry. Work is now ongoing to respond to comments. The comments resolution meeting was held in November 2024 and it is expected that publication of the standards will be in the second quarter of 2025.
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©.
Anup ChaliseyChair of the Infrastructure Standards Committee
Learn more about INS SC and their work on our website.
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