Podcast highlights: Season 2, Episode 7
The GB rail industry is a network of interdependent systems and stakeholders. To navigate these complexities, we apply a ‘whole-system approach’. It considers the relationships between safety, performance, and innovation.
This approach allows us to address immediate challenges while anticipating future needs. In turn, this means we can ensure that the industry remains:
- safe
- efficient
- responsive to change.
Johnny explains that rail is a system made up of constituent parts that interface. This includes tracks, operating companies, and the supply chain. It’s at these interfaces where risks exist. And our role is to understand and mitigate them.
This unique capability to work across interfaces and represent all parts of the system makes RSSB a vital player in the industry.
Maximising value for our members
One of the key strengths of our whole-system approach is its ability to maximise value for our members.
Johnny highlights two recent projects that showcase this approach.
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PRIMAThis decision support tool helps operators and infrastructure managers make informed judgments about running trains in extreme weather conditions. We were able to leverage skills in risk modelling, data engineering, and climate change adaptation. This led to the creation of a tool that improves performance, reduces costs, and enhances safety.
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Freight couplersThrough our research programme, we examined freight couplers and determined that longer freight trains could be run safely. This finding has led to significant financial advantages for the freight sector. In particular, it helps increase revenue without compromising safety.
Putting safety and efficiency first
Efficiency is a priority for many in the rail industry. Our whole-system approach supports this ambition by preventing duplication and promoting automation.
Johnny emphasises the importance of learning from past mistakes and predicting future trends. It’s this that allows RSSB to guide members towards more efficient solutions. This focus on efficiency is driven by two key industry needs. Those are to reduce costs and increase revenue—all while maintaining high performance standards.
And of course, safety remains at the heart of everything RSSB does. Johnny explains that safety is not only a core value but also a key driver of performance and cost savings. A good safety record often correlates with high performance. We can see the safety consequences of decisions across many areas, so we ensure that safety always comes first.
As Great British Railways comes into view, our whole-system perspective will be crucial in navigating this big industry change. By monitoring all parts of the system, we’ll aim to ensure that risks are managed effectively during—and beyond—this period of transformation.
Key takeaways
- Our whole-system approach: RSSB has a unique ability to work across interfaces and represent all parts of the rail system. This is vital for addressing risks and to maximise value.
- Prioritising efficiency and innovation: Preventing duplication will improve efficiency. It will also reduce costs in the rail industry. Promoting automation will be vital, too.
- Adding value for members: Creating and maintaining tools like PRIMA mean members always get tangible benefits.
- Safety first: A key focus on safety ensures compliance and drives performance and cost savings.
