RSSB Launches Industry-Wide Train Protection Strategy

After extensive work with industry, we are proud to publish the rail industry’s new Train Protection Strategy. It is designed to enhance safety across Great Britain’s mainline railway network during the interim period before comprehensive fitment of the European Train Control System (ETCS).

The strategy sets out a framework of activities to enable industry to both understand and mitigate the risks of Signals Passed at Danger (SPADs) and overspeeding incidents. These are rare but potentially high-consequence events. They continue to pose challenges to the rail industry.

Working with industry and the latest insights

Development of the new Train Protection Strategy involved extensive cross-industry collaboration. It was informed by the latest data insights and research. This included SPAD risk modelling and incident analysis. But the strategy also aligns with programmes of work being undertaken around the industry, which ensures that outputs remain relevant and impactful. 

Monitoring against the delivery of the strategy will be coordinated by the RSSB-facilitated Train Protection Strategy Group (TPSG), with support from across the industry.

Strategy Highlights

The strategy has several highlights.

• Mitigating Risk: The strategy aims to understand what as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) is in the context of train protection systems, while using targeted enhancements to existing systems to reduce derailment and collision risk.
• Interim Enhancements: ETCS rollout is expected to span over 30 years, so the strategy proposes embracing interim technological and operational improvements.
• Shared Responsibility: The strategy promotes cross-industry leadership and collaboration. It recognises the joint accountability between railway undertakings and infrastructure managers.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: A prioritisation matrix and lifecycle cost analysis is recommended. This will guide investment in enhancements that deliver maximum safety and performance benefits.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Proactive safety management needs to be based on data. The strategy calls for improved incident reporting, risk assessment, and real-time data integration to support this.
• Future-Ready: The strategy supports the investigation of ways to optimise technology. These could include enabling the automation of certain operational processes. Digital signalling remains the long-term vision for a safer, more efficient railway.

Supportive industry views

Tom Lee, RSSB’s Director of Standards, said:

“This strategy, that the industry has agreed to work together on, is about bridging the gap between where we are and where we need to be.

“ETCS is the long-term goal, but its rollout could take decades. This strategy provides a practical, risk-based framework to manage the residual risks of SPADs and overspeeding trains in the intervening period.”

Richard Hines, ORR’s HM Chief Inspector of Railways, said:

“We welcome RSSB’s new train protection strategy, which will help enhance safety across Britain’s mainline railway as the industry transitions to the European Train Control System over the coming years. Delivering this strategy will require collaboration, strong leadership, and shared commitment across the system, with all parties taking ownership of their role in driving continuous improvement at pace. By working together to ensure that risks are reduced as low as reasonably practicable, the industry can ensure Britain’s mainline railway remains safe for everyone, now and in the future.”

Darren Jowett, Chair of the Train Protection Strategy Group and Head of System Authority, Network Rail, said:

“Safety, reliability and performance are at the heart of Britain’s rail network. While ETCS is the long-term solution, we need to target enhancements to existing train protection systems where appropriate to reduce SPAD and over-speed risk. This updated Train Protection Strategy shows how we’ll strengthen existing systems and embrace innovation to keep passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently today, while building the foundations for a sustainable future.”

Rupert Lown, Group Safety, Security, Health & Environment Director, DFTO, said:

“As we continue the journey to Great British Railways, our collective mission is to deliver a safe and reliable railway for everyone, everywhere.

 “This strategy demonstrates the value of close industry collaboration, one of the key benefits of common public ownership. Sharing data and best practices more freely across the industry is driving safety in the here and now, while fostering new ways of working, breeding innovative solutions and greater accountability for the future railway.”