Vehicle/Track System Interface Committee
The Vehicle/Track SIC (V/T SIC) was established to provide the focus for the interface between the vehicle wheel and the rail and between the vehicle and track interaction.
"The wheel/rail interface is at the very core of the railway; the point where wheel meets rail. Efficient management of this interface is key to safe and economic railway operation and requires collaboration across many stakeholders. V/T SIC and our sub-groups, including the Adhesion Research Group, continue to develop our understanding of the science behind rail adhesion. Our current focus is on freight vehicle braking, use of “big data” from multiple sources, and improvements to braking performance in low adhesion conditions."
Scope
The scope of the V/T SIC is defined in its remit and aims to:
- Define the geometry condition of the wheel/rail interface
- Set out permitted track geometry, including curve radius, installed cant, vertical curvature
- Define the permitted track conditions for the type of track, namely Mainline
- Identify the allowable wheelset parameters, such as gauge, conicity, profile, axle load, for the trains that operate on the network
- Maintain the wheel/rail interface within the prescribed limits and ensure safety of the railway
- Implement processes to ensure sustainability of the railway
- Ensure systems exist for seasonal maintenance activities and revised to account for seasonal variation
- Utilise systems to monitor the condition at the wheel/rail interface. Data collected by these systems is to be analysed and distributed to the appropriate party for the monitoring of performance and programme rectification activities.
Subgroups
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Adhesion Research GroupAdhesion Research Group promotes understanding of wheel/rail adhesion, train detection and related topics, and ensures a common and system-wide approach to these. We act as a sponsor for the ADHERE research portfolio and cooperate with the Seasonal Challenge Steering Group and Seasonal Challenge Working Group to implement research on the running railway.
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Vehicle / Track Technical Advisory GroupThe Vehicle / Track Technical Advisory Group supports the SIC by providing detailed technical advice on the interaction of the vehicle and track, and a range of relevant topics. We maintain an overview of research and development activities in related fields, looking for gaps, overlaps and new opportunities.
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Vehicle/Track Wheelset Management GroupThe Vehicle/Track Wheelset Management Group covers all aspects of railway wheelsets used on the UK rail network, including Safety performance, applicable Standards (both new, current and legacy for design, manufacture and maintenance etc.), the supply chain, maintenance best practice and applicable research
Membership
The V/T SIC provides for representation from industry categories including:
- passenger train operators
- rolling stock owners and leasing companies
- freight and other non-passenger train operators
- infrastructure managers and owners
- suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers
- RSSB
Chair: Nick Swift, Eversholt Rail
RSSB main representative: Toby Johnson
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Committee members
Name Company Representing Status Brian Whitney Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Caitriona Hannon Transport For London (TFL) Passenger Train Operators Observer Dermot Kelly Office of Rail and Road Regulator Alternate Edward Blacoe Eversholt Rail Limited Passenger Train Operators Alternate Gill Pirou RSSB RSSB IGM Member Guy Peasley GB Railfreight Limited Non Passenger Train Operators Alternate Jackie Butterfield L.B. Foster Rail Technologies (UK) Ltd RIA Member John Edgley Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Alternate Julian Stow University of Huddersfield Academia Member Lindsey Smith Office of Rail and Road Regulator Observer Mark Burstow Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Mark Molyneux Rail Delivery Group Passenger Train Operators Alternate Matt Gillen Office of Rail and Road Regulator Observer Neil Ovenden Rail Delivery Group Passenger Train Operators Member Nick Swift Eversholt Rail Limited Vehicle Owners Representative Chair Paul Gray RSSB RSSB Observer Philip Rogers SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit Limited Suppliers Alternate Tim Gabb Freightliner Group Limited Non Passenger Train Operators Alternate Toby Johnson RSSB RSSB Member Tom Wild Eversholt Rail Limited Vehicle Owners Representative Alternate
