Latest Updates in Risk and Safety Intelligence

In Period 1, members of RSI led a workshop on Taking Safe Decisions for Network Rail’s geotechnics team in York. The Safe Insights User Group meeting was held on 17 April. RSI members visited the Northam Traincare Facility. Members of RSSB’s System Safety and Health department conducted a review of Southeastern’s work-related violence (WRV) data to support internal reviews of conflict management and work-related violence policies. RSI supported Avanti’s Annual Safety Conference in Birmingham. Finally, Freightliner became the latest operator to make use of our Safe Insights application programming interface (API).

Period 13 saw the launch of Safe Insights, which has replaced SMIS. One of our analysts presented the results of a knock-on research project with both Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group’s Work-Related Violence Group. Members of RSI, along with colleagues from the University of Huddersfield, presented the findings from a project investigating the effectiveness of different devices that could prevent a derailment from escalating. We also ran a series of workshops covering topics including the risk from speeding over junctions. Finally, the new web interface and data processing capability for version 2 of the Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS) toolkit has been developed. 

In Period 12, we shared results from our annual SMIS data quality health checks with the companies who use the system. We also published the first of our new quarterly series of use cases that showcase the value that our members get from SMIS. Additionally, we visited Freightliner’s Doncaster Training Academy. The World Congress on Rail Research (WCRR) has accepted the abstract on our Health Insights work. Finally, our PRIMA tool was shortlisted in the Innovation of the Year category at the Rail Business Awards.

In Period 11, we started new research with the industry steering group on improving the assessment of rolling stock crashworthiness. We met with Avanti West Coast representatives to introduce them to the Platform-Train Interface Risk Assessment Tool. We presented results from our knock-on risk research to the project steering group. Finally, we hosted a bowtie user group meeting on 14 January, which received a Net Promoter Score of 94.

In Period 10, we helped Qatar Rail to benchmark their safety performance data by mapping SMIS events to our generic hazard list and providing normalisation data. We also hosted the SMIS Advisory Group meeting on 5 December. We presented the Precursor Indicator Model at the Wales and Western Safety Quarterly Business Review on 10 December. We assisted more of our members to use the RSSB PTI risk assessment tool. Finally, we have completed a 12-month project collaborating with MTR Hong Kong to develop their strategy for bowtie risk modelling. 

In Period 9, we released an update of the Precursor Indicator Model, which has made several improvements to the model while keeping the overall function of the model the same. Members of RSI ran five external PowerBI training sessions to help the transition from Jaspersoft to PowerBI. We completed our update of Network Rail High Speed’s bespoke Safety Risk Model and met with six colleagues from the NR High Speed team this week to discuss findings. RSSB met with Eurotunnel to talk about their ‘fire in tunnel’ BowTie risk model.  

In Period 8, RSSB published an updated estimate for the Value of Preventing a Fatality. The Wagon Condition Programme Risk Review report was also published. RSSB supported South Western Railway with the Platform Train Interface Risk Assessment Tool. RSSB also supported Southeastern with understanding the risk from e-bike fire hazards. The interim mid-year SMIS data quality results were shared with 35 organisations. The move towards Safe Insights, which will supersede SMIS, continues, with the first release of the platform taking place on 7 November. RSSB also supported Network Rail’s slips, trips and falls workshop. Finally, the work on the PRIMA project continues, with positive feedback from a trial in Network Rail’s North West and Central region. 

In Period 7, RSSB hosted 18 member organisations for the latest SMIS user surgery on 10 October. The SMIS surgery received excellent feedback and maximum NPS scores. RSSB also ran a series of seven face-to-face bowtie workshops with MTR Hong Kong. Finally, a team of RSI analysts completed a review of the current risk of extreme wind to the GB railway network.

In Period 6, the SMIS Advisory Group met with good member attendance and engagement. Govia Thameslink Railway have transferred a subset of their Railway Operating Incident and Control System events into SMIS via the application programming interface (API). Members of RSI and Futures Lab have been working on a risk modelling project for New Zealand Transport Authority. One of our RSI analysts presented outputs from our trespass natural language processing model to the Trespass & Suicide Prevention Strategy Group. Personalised health and wellbeing reports were shared with 14 companies. Finally, RSSB hosted the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) on 19 August, covering the work we do across RSSB.

In Period 4, we published the Annual Health and Safety Report (AHSR). We also published the Risk and Safety Intelligence Product and Service Catalogue. Highlights from the AHSR were presented at RSSB’s Operations Risk and Safety Conference on 11 July, and RSI team members ran a workshop on Taking Safe Decisions. We also kicked off a project on knock-on risk, ran a workshop on sleep apnoea, published guidance on level crossing near miss events, and created a bowtie on passenger overcarry risk.

In Period 3, our Development Day helped strengthen our bonds with future Network Rail Southern Region managers. It highlighted ways to maximise the value of their membership. Our SMIS Surgery and Advisory Group meetings continue to support our members’ use of the SMIS platform. Moreover, we continue to expand our toolkit by introducing a new report on risk modelling for secondary comms and providing training for PRIMA, which is about to begin an additional trial. 

In Period 2, we attended the Great Western Railway (GWR) Safety and Environment Conference in Newbury. We also presented the latest data relating to train fires at the UK Rail Fires Forum. We have completed the final phase of work to simplify the SMIS data model.

In Period 1, we ran a risk workshop for East Midlands Railway in Derby. We issued our annual SMIS Data Quality certificates to SMIS users. We completed work to review risk from passengers self-egressing from stranded trains. A second batch of improved precursors has been sent to a group of PIM users at Network Rail to review. We have also started to focus on some of the projects the team will be working on in 2024/2025.

In Period 13, we published the new Rail Health and Safety Strategy. RSI has developed a set of interactive data hubs. As part of the Precursor Indicator Model (PIM) recalibration project, we sent the first batch of improved PIM precursors to Network Rail for review. We have published an updated guidance document on empty coaching stock (ECS) SPADs on RSSB’s website. Graphics insights on both risk management and platform-train interface (PTI) risk were also published on RSSB’s website.

In Period 12, we sent out SMIS data quality scorecards. We published the multi-SPAD dashboard. We delivered a briefing to industry about safety priorities in 2024. We ran a ‘Taking Safe Decisions’ workshop with Merseyrail. We also discussed safety work with our strategic partners the University of Huddersfield.

In Period 11, RSI presented the proposed score of the Precursor Indicator Model enhancement and recalibration project to a group from Network Rail. RSI presented the Taking Safe Decisions Cost Benefit Analysis tool to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). RSI has been engaging with the National Air Traffic Services to discuss the development and application of generic hazard lists for efficient and effective risk management. On 16 January, RSI hosted a ‘bowties users’ meeting with members. Finally, RSI hosted a risk modelling workshop at MTR Elizabeth line.

In Period 10, RSI completed an independent review of National Highway’s hazard register and bowtie risk models for all lane-running registers for the Office for Rail and Road (ORR). RSI also completed full health check meetings with SMIS member organisations to discuss data quality. RSSB hosted the ‘Leading Health and Safety in Britain’s Railways (LHSBR) – Train Operations’ webinar on 14 December, which focused on SPADs. Finally, RSI provided Transport Scotland with statistics on the number of railway accidents and casualties on Scotland’s railways in 2022. 

In Period 9, members of RSI held meetings with RSSB senior leaders on injury trends and risk levels at the platform train interface (PTI). RSSB ran a hazards operation workshop with members from across the industry to support the development of an approach to route-proving and line-proving trains. Following completion of the API mapping and thorough data quality checks, DB Cargo are now ready to automatically transfer their personal accident data into SMIS. RSSB hosted a SMIS Advisory Meeting on 7 December 2023. The Health and Wellbeing Quality report has been published. RSI held meetings with Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to discuss implementation of the CHAMOIS Generic Hazard List. Finally, RSI supported Network Rail’s first slips, trips and falls roadshow in Milton Keynes on 30 November.

In Period 8, RSI and the RSSB Rolling Stock team jointly completed the initial phase of a commercial project for Eurotunnel. We supported them with change management, risk assessment, and associated evidence file submission to the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority. Separately, the graphic insights for signals passed at danger, has been published on RSSB’s website, combining visualisations and data analysis to present clear and data-led stories that make information easier to consume. 

In Period 7, RSI, alongside Network Rail, represented GB rail at the Global Level Crossing Network hosted by Deutsche Bahn Netz in Germany. The event enabled global rail companies to share information and experience in order to support level crossing risk reduction. RSI also conducted a series of interviews with members of the Heritage Trains Risk Group to identify key challenges to address. RSI provided support to the Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group CP7 road-mapping sessions, where they identified the key themes and challenges in workforce safety. Finally, RSSB hosted the biannual SMIS User Group meeting on 12 October.

In Period 6, we completed a deep-dive analysis on how rail strikes influenced SPADs, dispatch irregularities and signal failures, with our findings presented to the Train Accident Risk Group. We hosted the International Union of Railways Safety Performance Group. At a SMIS Advisory Group meeting, plans for SMIS were provided. The Precursor Indicator Model was presented to the RSSB Board. Finally, we set up a virtual community of bowtie users.

In Period 5, RSI used SMIS to collate data on significant accidents involving trains to help our members meet their common safety indicators reporting requirements. This was then sent to the Office for Rail and Road. RSI also met with 23 organisations about SMIS data quality as part of its SMIS data quality programme. The offline trial report for IMP-T1269 has been published and is available on the RSSB website. Finally, an updated version of the Taking Safe Decisions Cost-Benefit Analysis tool has been published.

In Period 4, RSI launched the 2022/23 Annual Health and Safety Report at the Operations Risk and Safety Conference. Two new changes to SMIS have gone live to improve and simplify the way industry reports platform edge and depot events. The Platform Train Interface Risk Assessment Tool (PSI RAT) has been updated with new functionality and a better user experience.

In Period 3, RSI presented the work RSSB has been doing to improve how bowties are used to support safety risk assessment and drive improvement initiatives at the UK Bowtie User Group in York on 15 June. Also, RSI presented the highlights from RSSB’s Annual Health and Safety Report (AHSR) 22/23 to the Rail Health and Safety Committee hosted by the ORR.

In Period 2, the National Incident Statistics relating to train fires were presented at the 2023 Fire Forum Seminar. The second batch of the simplified SMIS forms, which incorporate improvements that can reduce the time it takes to enter data into SMIS, were deployed below budget and ahead of schedule.