Shaping the future of rail
In our 2023-24 business plan we set out the core projects that we intend to progress and deliver to help industry rise to meet its challenges, to evolve, and to shape its future.
We firmly believe that rail has the potential to be the backbone of the transportation network, helping us to create a sustainable future for generations to come. We plan to continue supporting the rail industry, to make it safer, healthier, more harmonised, more sustainable, more efficient, and more future-focussed. In short, a safer, smarter railway.
We are focused on increasing efficiencies across the board. We plan to achieve this through the continued development of the Whole System Risk Model. The initial phase has been to design a decision support tool to enable infrastructure managers and duty holders to devise appropriate mitigations in response to severe rainfall. This year we will expand the tool for the network, with more environmental situations and hazards. In addition, we will launch the Sustainable Rail Blueprint, which provides route maps for organisations to improve all social and environmental aspects.
In 2022 we established our Futures Lab. As we proceed with the last year of Control Period 6 (CP6), it will play a key role as a contributor to the rail sector strategy. This year it will start to examine future opportunities and disruptive technologies, to explore what new products and services we at RSSB and the industry can create.
Some other activities being undertaken are: developing the case for a Rail Industry Standard on speed restriction management and informing Network Rail national operating procedures relating to Blanket Speed Restrictions. Another is reducing on-track plant collision risks by addressing the road-rail vehicle recommendations for the roles and responsibilities of staff. And further help for duty holders to manage signalling operations, with changes to defect recording analysis and solutions estimated to save the industry £80m over 10 years.
Our robust business plan is developed with input from industry to ensure we provide the support needed, because we understand that to achieve our goals we must first support the goals of the industry. Therefore, we have pledged our support through investments in research and innovation, and tools and resources. We have set ourselves objectives of working to deliver excellent solutions and advancements in each of the respective areas of safety, health and wellbeing, standards, and sustainability.
In conclusion, our 2023-24 business plan is more than just a set of promises, it is a blueprint designed to provide a clear understanding of our goals and actions to deliver a better tomorrow. We remain committed to providing our support to help industry tackle its challenges and prepare for a sustainable future. We are confident that with our joined efforts, innovative solutions, and the many positive changes already underway, we can continue to shape the future of rail travel, unlocking its true potential, and fulfilling its promise to passengers and freight customers for generations to come.
