2024 highlights: how we’ve helped industry progress this year

This year has been marked by several advancements in technology, sustainability, and operational efficiency. These have all aimed to enhance the overall performance and reliability of the rail network.

From A boards to Zero Waste Metrics, join us as we reflect on the past year.

Building an even better future…

One highlight of 2024 has been the refresh of the Rail Technical Strategy. This strategy sets a clear direction for the development and uptake of both existing and new solutions. The update, which brings in freight for the first time, means we can stay focused on the projects most essential for industry resilience. 

The collaborative effort behind this—involving major players like RSSB, Network Rail, and the GBR Transition Team—has reinvigorated interest and garnered greater buy-in for coordinated technical progress.

Sustainability has also been a major focus this year. Industry celebrated the first anniversary of the Sustainable Rail Blueprint, which continues to guide sustainability strategies across the sector. Also, we at RSSB launched our Zero Waste Metrics. These give industry clear advice on waste data collection and reporting. 

Likewise, notable projects like the new GWR station at Ashley Down in Bristol show industry’s commitment to social value. And looking to next year, efforts to improve air quality at stations across the country are set to continue.

In other news:

• Our guidance on the testing and validation of new technologies has made it easier for rail to adopt innovations.
• The development of a trespass and suicide ‘One-Stop Shop’ will streamline the industry’s various activities in this challenging area. 
• Upgrades to the RSSB Rule Book app, with new functionality to enhance usability, are now live.

…and saving money as we go

Reducing costs is a challenge we promised to support on in our Annual Business Plan. In 2024, we’ve already seen some promising moves in this space.

The development of health and wellbeing strategies and dashboards will prove significant. The cost of ill health in the rail industry is disproportionately high. Improvements in employee wellbeing could save the industry millions of pounds over the next 5 years. Having these dashboards in place will allow the industry to monitor causes of absence. It will also help them measure the impact of the initiatives in place to keep staff healthy and well.

Also, new A boards for some temporary and permissible speed restrictions have the potential to save millions in delay-related costs. This is because they allow trains to accelerate more quickly out of speed restrictions.

As we move into 2025, industry will continue to build on these achievements. And as always, the focus will be on delivering tools and insights that drive improved decision making and operational efficiency. 

Resources you might find useful

• Reflections and resolutions with RSSB Chair, Mike Brown (podcast)
• Unlocking value for industry in 2025 and beyond (podcast)
• Annual Business Plan
• Sustainable Rail Blueprint
• Trespass and Suicide One-Stop Shop
• Rail Technical Strategy.