Standards Annual Report
12/03/2024
Standards published in 2023 have a combined industry-defined benefit of around £50million for this year alone. The standards committees have continued to deliver work on time. Deviations have decreased since last year as the 2022 standards changes on AC electrification take effect.
Summary of Standards Annual Report 2023
We present two sections about the report below. The first is about key achievements in standards in 2023. The second gives information about the areas covered by different report sections.
2023 report highlights
Six areas of standards activity have been particularly important in 2023.
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Management of Control Command and Signalling Subsystem Failures, Faults and DefectsRevisions to RIS-0707-CCS Iss 2 Management of Control Command and Signalling (CCS) Subsystem Failures, Faults and Defects has been an extensive project. It creates the necessary structure for the National CCS DRACAS. A National CCS DRACAS will alert affected organisations to CCS faults and failures regardless of whether the organisation operates where the problem has occurred. This is expected to save industry around £231m over the next 10 years.
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Signalling layout and signal aspect requirementsWe have improved the standard for signalling layout and signal aspect requirements, RIS-0703-CCS Iss 2. This means that the lineside signalling system will operate in a consistent and ‘driveable’ way. This will help reduce the hazard of poor driveability.
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Requirements for the position of infrastructure and for defining and maintaining clearancesOur rationale and revised requirements for the position of infrastructure GIRT7073 Iss 2 will help those specifying or designing new or altered infrastructure. It will also help those involved in compatibility assessments.
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Assessment of passenger seat comfortWe’ve developed guidance for the assessment of passenger seat comfort, GMGN2696 Iss 1. This gives an overall seat comfort score that can be used by TOCs, ROSCOs, vehicle interior designers, and builders.
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Removal of detonators from assistance protection arrangementsIn September, we published updated guidance on how a failed train can be assisted by another train, GERT8000 M1 Iss 7 and GERT8000 M2 Iss 7. This included the removal of the use of detonators, which is a significant change. Our technical specialists worked with industry specialists to produce a detailed briefing package to help industry implement this.
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Guidance on operational railway safety awarenessWe’ve provided additional materials to supplement existing personal track safety (PTS) training when necessary. Currently, PTS courses do not always cover depots, yards, sidings, or freight terminals explicitly. Our new operational railway safety awareness guidance, GOGN3616 Iss 1, sets out risks, hazards, and control measures to include in training for these locations. It also gives a framework for competence assessment and review. Four types of industry roles and tasks are used in the examples of how to apply the framework.
Topics in the 2023 report
The 2023 Annual Standards Report is structured into nine sections, six of which are detailed below.
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Section 2 Key achievements in 2023Section 2 describes six key standards achievements in 2023. These include both new and revised standards. It explains the objectives and benefits for each of these achievements.
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Section 3 Activities of the seven standards committees
This section has a report from each of the chairs of the seven standards committees (SC). Each discusses key areas of interest in 2023, including international standardisation. The list of committees is:
- Plant SC
- Rolling Stock SC
- Infrastructure SC
- Control, Command and Signalling SC
- Energy SC
- Traffic and Operation Management SC
- Data, Systems and Telematics SC.
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Section 4 Rail Standards StrategyThe Rail Standards Strategy is our five-year vision for standards-related activities. It states our plan to address broader industry objectives, challenges, and opportunities. It includes current issues as well as emerging opportunities.
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Section 5 Keeping you informedThis section describes the ways in which we tell industry about our activities.
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Section 6 RSSB-facilitated groups and committeesThis section describes the role of the ISCC overseeing all other standards committees. It explains the other groups and bodies involved in our standards work. It explains how we keep to the requirements of the Railway Standards Manual and the Railway Standards Code.
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Section 7 Need help?This section explains how you can contact us. Find the best method to get the type of help you need.
