Harmonised Rail

24/08/2021

We equip the industry with efficient and proportionate standards to ensure system interoperability. The standards we develop in close collaboration with the industry define today’s railway and enable tomorrow’s. They frame our members’ choices, lower their risks and costs, and help them plan with confidence.

Harmonised rail…ensuring system interoperability through efficient and proportionate standards.

Our work defines how the many moving parts of Britain’s railway interact—safely and smoothly. As we agree and codify how the railway works today, we lay the basis for it to evolve and improve tomorrow.

We pool our own expertise and experience with thinking from across the industry. Everyone, from manufacturers and suppliers to infrastructure managers and operating companies, has a stake in the standards we broker.

By laying down clear standards and providing support on how to follow them, we make it easier for our members to improve rail and make it safer. Standards mean everyone on the railway can make crucial decisions, whether it’s the company approving new rolling stock or the guard and the driver keeping passengers safe.

By 2024, we will be known as the prime mover behind the standards to integrate modern technologies like digital signalling and battery-powered trains for a modern railway. Our work means the industry can plan and invest with clarity and confidence, save time and cost, and come together to keep the railway at the heart of the Britain's economy.

To harmonise rail, we:
set the strategy for standards across the industry

take an overall view of the railway as a single system

bring many interests together to agree the best way to evolve

look ahead to assess how to integrate new technologies, from digital signalling to hydrogen-powered trains

listen to members, so we focus on the right issues and make standards easier to put into action.
Our work means the industry can:
Plan with confidence, because standards take the guesswork out of investing in rail.

Save time and cost, because standards mean companies and suppliers know the fundamentals of how the railway works and don’t need to reinvent them.

Reduce risk, because standards make things clear and cut commercial and safety risk.

Operate more effectively, because standards come with support from us to implement them.

Prepare for the future, because standards smooth the way for new technologies.

Power the economy, because standards built on consensus make regeneration and change possible.
Our work will help our members to:
Improve passenger experience.

Improve safety.

Improve operations.

Haven’t found what you’re looking for?

Get in touch with our Director of Standards for more information.

Tom Lee

Tel: 020 3142 5509

https://customer-portal.rssb.co.uk