System Interface Committee
Scope
SIC Chairs meeting happens on a quarterly basis to discuss, coordinate and resolve cross-SIC issues, agree appropriate actions in response to requests or direction from both the Technology Leadership Group (TLG) and the RSSB Board.
These meetings are also key to ensure that the work across all SICs covers the range of industry needs to optimise the management of technical interfaces and cross-system issues.
The SIC Protocol sets out a framework for the governance, operation and management of SICs and their subgroups.
Rail Leader Update – Research and Innovation
With the support of cross-industry group sand committees, we launched our ‘focused-on-freight’ research programme back in 2021 in response to calls from the sector for a dedicated pipeline of research. Freightliner is among the operators that are reaping the benefits of the £2.5m-plus research investment we’ve delivered so far to support the sector. The rail freight and logistics company has used our research to extend the length of their trains, a welcome advancement amid aspirations, both in the freight community and in government, to see more goods moved by rail. Could you benefit from our research too?
Subgroups
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Data & Information System Interface CommitteeThe Data and Information System Interface Committee (DISIC) was established to provide a focus for the governance, management, and exploitation of data, information and knowledge in a safe, cost effective and efficient manner. In doing this, it will support the data-related aims of the Rail Sector Deal, the Joint Rail Data Action Plan, and the Rail Technical Strategy.
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Vehicle / Vehicle System Interface CommitteeThe Vehicle/Vehicle SIC (V/V SIC) was established to provide the focus for the interface between railway vehicles, and also facilitate activity on topics which, while essentially intrinsic to vehicles, have implications for the interface of vehicles with the railway system as a whole, or with the environment (such as weight, reliability, noise).
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Vehicle / Structures System Interface CommitteeThe Vehicle/Structures SIC (V/S SIC) was established to provide the focus for the interface between vehicles and the fixed infrastructure in the areas of physical clearance (gauging) and vehicle loading (route availability).
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Vehicle / Track System Interface CommitteeThe Vehicle/Track System Interface Committee (V/T SIC) was established to provide the focus for the interface between the vehicle wheel and the rail and between the vehicle and track interaction.
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Vehicle / Train Control & CommunicationsThe Vehicle/Train Control & Communications System Interface Committee (V/TC&C SIC) was established to provide the focus for vehicle/train control systems, telecommunications and signalling issues on behalf of the industry. This includes supporting and informing the industry’s Rail Technical Strategy, including the long-term strategy for the interfaces and promoting and maintaining the Future Control Command and Signalling (F-CCS) Industry Vision and Policy.
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Vehicle / Train Energy System Interface CommitteeThe Vehicle/Train Energy System Interface Committee (V/TE SIC) assists the rail industry in evaluating and managing the key power supply system interfaces. It also identifies losses, and likely remedies, in the energy transmission system; promotes more efficient energy use; and develops longer-term, sustainable energy strategies.
Membership
The SIC Protocol sets out a framework for the establishment, operation and management of SICs. Senior industry members are formally appointed by the RSSB Board to chair the SICs. Each of the following industry sectors is entitled to one member on each SIC:
- passenger train operators
- rolling stock owners and leasing companies
- freight and other non-passenger train operators
- infrastructure managers and owners
- suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers
- RSSB
- Department for Transport
- Office of Rail and Road.
RSSB also provides facilitation and research services to the SICs.
Chair: Luisa Moisio, RSSB
RSSB main representative: Luisa Moisio
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Committee members
Name Company Representing Status Amanda Hall Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Clive Burrows First Rail Holdings Limited Passenger Train Operators Member David Johnson DGauge Limited Independent Member Euan Smith Angel Trains Limited Rolling Stock Owners Member Karl Butler-Garnham Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Luisa Moisio RSSB Independent Chair Mark Gaynor Rail Delivery Group Passenger Train Operators Member Nick Swift
Eversholt Rail
Rolling Stock Owners Member Richard Stainton Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Roisin Mulvany RSSB RSSB IGM Member
