Podcast highlights: Season 2, Episode 8

Vaibhav begins by stressing that working together is crucial. This is particularly true for rail, given its complex nature. He also explores the many benefits of collaboration for rail, saying:

• It leads to better solutions for the entire system.
• It enhances efficiency.
• It fosters a positive culture.

Vaibhav also outlines three key elements of successful collaboration:

1. There must be a platform for communication.
2. We must collectively agree on decisions.
3. We must ensure legitimacy with regulatory bodies.

RSSB plays a key role in facilitating this. We offer a structured platform for discussions, and we support collective decision-making with objective evidence. We also help ensure the legitimacy of decisions through approved governance.

However, there are misconceptions about working together on this scale. Vaibhav addresses some of these concerns. One is the belief that committee decisions can be slow and suboptimal. He argues that collaborative decisions are often the most effective way to address multifaceted problems. And that the sector, more often than not, gets these right

Where can collaboration take us?

This collaborative approach can help build confidence among stakeholders. It can promote open communication, too. Both of these are key for solving complex challenges.

Vaibhav highlights the value of collaboration in boosting safety and efficiency, in particular. In doing so, he shares some successes. One is the freight sector’s ongoing collective efforts to prioritise safety despite being commercially competitive.

Looking ahead, Vaibhav discusses the opportunities for collaboration in the context of industry transformation. He mentions the importance of preparing for future challenges. These include:

• climate change
• AI integration
• digitisation.

Notably, RSSB’s Futures Lab is exploring ways to provide the sector with information to enhance resilience. That will help industry address these challenges together.