Train Accident Risk Group
Scope
TARG exists to understand and review the proportion of total system risk relevant to its scope. The group is required to:
- monitor the effectiveness of current control arrangements
- identify and sponsor improvement opportunities, including research and RSSB-facilitated products and services
- learn from and promote good practice
- facilitate cooperation
- respond to requests from the System Safety Risk Group (SSRG) and other cooperative forums
- consider future developments that may impact its risk (horizon scanning).
Read our remit.
The progress we're making
'Through RSSB’s collaborative efforts within the industry, we have made significant strides in reducing SPAD rates and associated risks. The SPAD Risk Subgroup has developed the SPAD Self-Evaluation Tool in collaboration with operators to help industry manage SPAD risk. Plus, the group’s good practice guide, ‘Improving the Understanding and Management of SPAD notices’ was published in September 2023.
However, it’s crucial that we remain vigilant in our risk mitigation strategies. By enhancing our investigative processes and sharing insights and root causes across various railway undertakings, we can continue to make progress.
Research suggests that we’ve reached the limits of human performance in minimising SPAD risks; however, while it’s vital to support our colleagues in maintaining this high level of safety-critical competence, it’s not enough on its own.
To drive substantial change, we must improve data quality and deepen our understanding of the precursors to high-potential incidents. Strong cooperation through train accident risk groups is essential for continuous improvement and maintaining current safety measures.'
- Spence Hufton, Professional Head of Train Operations Safety RSSB
Track our progress on delivering the strategy. View one-page activity summaries.
Last updated: 28/02/2025
Subgroups
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Heritage Train Risk GroupThe Heritage Train Risk Group (HTRG) supports industry stakeholders involved with the operation of heritage trains (as defined by the RSSB heritage standards) on the GB mainline railway (mainline heritage train services). HTRG is the lead industry coordination group in the niche area of mainline heritage train services within ‘Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railway (LHSBR)'.
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SPAD Risk SubgroupThe SPAD risk Subgroup promotes the RSSB SPAD Strategy, working closely with TARG and the national route groups (OPSRAMs/TOSG). We encourage operating companies to develop their own SPAD strategies, and to share good practice and lessons learnt from incidents.
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Overspeed GroupThe cross-industry Overspeed Group (OSG) improves the management and understanding of overspeed risk. They do this through the use and improved application of technology, operational processes, and competence. It is responsible for the production of an industry-wide strategy to improve the management of trains overspeeding. It is also responsible for the work on blanket speed restrictions as part of the Laurencekirk to Portlethen RAIB recommendation 2.
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RAATS User GroupThe RAATS User Group (RUG) assists the industry’s understanding of SPAD risk and improving train performance by focusing on red aspect approaches using the Red Aspect Approaches to Signal (RAATS) toolkit. Ultimately, through using data from this tool it is possible to analyse multiple red aspect signals over time and at different locations to help make the network safer and more efficient. Detail on the tool itself can be found on our RAATS webpage. For more information please contact us.
Membership
The group’s membership is made up of the following industry categories:
- trade unions
- passenger train operators
- freight and other non-passenger train operators
- infrastructure managers and owners
- RSSB
- Department for Transport (observer)
- Office of Rail and Road (observer).
Chair: Mark Goodall, Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd and Oliver Schepisi from NTS Global
RSSB main representative: Joe Wilson
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Group members
Name Company Representing Status Ash Gardner Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) Independent Observer Chris Harrison RSSB RSSB Member Claire MacMillan RSSB RSSB Member Huw Margetts Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Infrastructure Managers
Member Jimmy Pettitt Freightliner Non Passenger Train Operators Member Joe Wilson RSSB RSSB Member Jonathan Havard The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Limited Trade Union Member Keith Shepherd Office of Rail and Road Regulator Observer Mark Goodall Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Chair Oliver Schepisi
NTS Global Ltd
Non Passenger Operator Chair Paul Ashton Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Ricky Campion
RSSB RSSB Member Spence Hufton RSSB RSSB Member Tom Hyatt RSSB RSSB Member
