Latest Updates in Risk and Safety Intelligence

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. The SMIS Advisory Group met on 26 March. We hosted a webinar on 27 March on PTI risk. We reviewed the risk from trees on the line following the incident at Broughty Ferry in December. We presented the findings to Scotland’s Carmont Rolling Stock Recommendations Steering Group. Finally, one of our analysts presented at the Safety and Reliability Society’s annual Early Career Professionals event on 28 March.

Highlights from Period 13 (3 March 2024 to 31 March 2024)

Publication of the Rail Health and Safety Strategy data hubs

RSI has developed a set of interactive data hubs that align with risk areas in the Rail Health and Safety Strategy (RHSS). The data hubs covering freight safety, level crossings and passenger operations have been published on RSSB’s website. These data hubs join the previously developed SPAD data hubs that allow RSSB members to access SMIS data more frequently than the current quarterly reporting cycle. This enables members of the RHSS risk groups to make better and more timely safety related decisions. The data hubs also allow our members to interrogate the data using custom filtering so that users can monitor the risks most important to them.
First batch of the updated precursors for the Precursor Indicator Model recalibration project sent to Network Rail for review

The Precursor Indicator Model (PIM) monitors the underlying risks from train accidents by tracking a range of train accident precursors. A link to the data hub for the PIM can be found here. The PIM enhancements and recalibration project seeks to improve the PIM. It will develop a plan for future recalibration to the Safety Risk Model version 10 when it is released. As part of this project, the first batch of improved precursors has been sent to a group of PIM users at Network Rail to review. The work on this project will continue until the summer.
The SMIS Advisory Group met on 26 March

The SMIS Advisory Group met on the 26 March and discussed various projects and operational activity for SMIS. The group heard about the future of SMIS projects and the ways of working to develop the new system for reporting safety events. The industry focus group has been sent a number of tasks and will be utilised during the project to support the development of the new system.

The transition from Jaspersoft to Power BI is underway to ensure we have the reporting capability alongside the new system. A survey has been shared with safety teams to understand how reporting will be taken forward. The group also heard about the results of the 2023 data quality assessment and congratulated those who are continuously working hard on data quality.

The SMIS simplification project is in its final stages with the final deployment of the last batch of forms due for release on the 15 May 2024. Those involved in the user acceptance testing were thanked for their support.

“The session was informative and demonstrated the industry’s intention to deliver on rail safety.” - NPS survey response, anonymous.
Publication of the empty coaching stock SPADs deep dive on RSSB's website

We have provided an update to our guidance document on empty coaching stock (ECS) SPADs. the aim of the guidance is to improve consistency on industry’s understanding of SPADs involving ECS. This includes how ECS services can be better managed and how industry can learn from SPADs. The guidance is supported by a toolbox for drivers, which includes suggested mitigations against different ECS SPADs. A link to both the guidance document and toolbox can be found here.
Publication of the risk management graphics insight tool on RSSB's website
A new graphic insights webpage on risk management has been published on RSSB's website. The page provides a simple and accessible introduction to evidence-led risk management. The tool links the following components:

The underlying principles as provided by Taking Safe Decisions.

How risk can be measured (i.e. quantified) through to the risk profile for passengers on Britain's mainline railway (as modelled by the Safety Risk Model).

Interactive visuals and charts engage the reader through these topics, with opportunities to test hypothetical examples.
Understanding risk from trees on the line

We reviewed the risk from trees on the line following the incident at Broughty Ferry in December. We presented the findings of our review to Scotland’s Carmont Rolling Stock Recommendations Steering Group. This extends the risk profiling work we undertook last year to support the response to RAIB’s Carmont recommendations.
Publication of Platform-Train Interface Graphic Insights tool on RSSB’s website

One of our analysts led the work to define the graphic insights webpage on the platform-train interface, which the IM&T team then developed and published. The page provides a simple explanation of what the platform interface is and why it’s important to manage it well. It then finishes by explaining how RSSB has responded to PTI incidents and how RSSB is working to help the industry manage and reduce PTI risk.
Common solutions for the new Rail Health and Safety Strategy

RSSB published the industry’s new Rail Health and Safety Strategy in March. It sets out common solutions, which cut across all risk areas and provide the foundations for efficient and effective health and safety management. The common solutions cover both health and safety intelligence and taking strategic and tactical decisions, among other topics. These are supported by key products such as SMIS and Taking Safe Decisions.
Platform Train Interface Risk Assessment Tool webinar held on 27 March

A webinar was held to promote understanding of platform-train interface risk assessments and advocate for the use of RSSB’s PTI Risk Assessment tool, which was enhanced last year. The webinar, which was facilitated by RSSB’s marketing team, featured an RSI analyst, who explained how the tool can be used. It involved other colleagues from RSSB and featured a presentation and collage of testimonials from members who are already using the tool to great effect. The webinar attracted 66 attendees and achieved a net promoter score of +86. It also got positive feedback.

‘A professional industry led session, with a knowledgeable team of experts.’ - Transport for Wales

‘It is a very good tool and will help me in my job to fill out accident reports or make Conductors aware of the risk's.’ - Scotrail
Presentation at the Safety and Reliability Society Early Career Professionals Event on the 28 March

The Safety and Reliability Society hosted their annual Early Career Professionals event on 28 March. The event sees those with less than 10 years' experience within risk present on a project they have been involved with. Ricky Campion from RSI presented ‘Implementing a Whole System Approach to Risk on the GB Rail Network’. His presentation provided an overview of the project. Started last year, which investigated how the Whole System Risk Model could be used during extreme rainfall on the operational rail network. The presentation was well received.

Period 13 key metrics

Making it easier for our members to access the products and services they need

6 regular safety performance reports published.

3 RHSS risk group packs provided.

18 data requests and member enquiries closed out.

52 platform-train interface risk assessments completed by members using the tool.

8 downloads of the Taking Safe Decisions Cost Benefit Analysis Tool.

9 downloads of the Risk Profile Tool.

99 views of the Precursor Indicator Model.

48 views of the Hybrid Precursor Indicator Model.

48 views of the Safety Risk Model.

34 health and wellbeing data report downloads.
Making SMIS quicker and easier to use

516,704 events reported in SMIS since the new system went live in 2017.

3.3% error rate in SMIS basic data quality (↓0.3% from last period).

145,346 events reported (since the first form launch in January 2021) using the new, simpler SMIS forms, saving at least £384,707 worth of effort.

41.9% SPADs since 1 April 2021, with completed cause forms (↑0.4% from last period).