Latest Updates in Risk and Safety Intelligence

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 5, after months of collaboration between RSSB and GTR, GTR received sign-off to automatically transfer a subset of their events into SMIS via the new API. Members of RSI built 100 safety data reports in PowerBI for 10 member organisations. The Common Safety Indicator data was sent to the ORR. Finally, Marcus Dacre, head of RSI, was interviewed in RSSB’s podcast on health and safety data.

In our Risk and Safety Intelligence Updates, we usually feature key outputs and member supported activities delivered during that period. For Period 1, we focus instead on some of the projects the team will be working on in 2023/2024.

In Period 13, an estimate of the 2022 Value of Preventing a Fatality (VPF) has been calculated and published on RSSB’s website. RSSB represented GB rail at the UIC Safety Performance Group, presenting both the work being done on reducing trespassing and identifying and collating suicides and suspected suicides on the railway. 

In Period 12, we awarded SMIS data quality certificates to SMIS input organisations. We also held the first implementation workshop of the Whole System Risk Model with colleagues at Network Rail. “The Common Hazards for the Management of Industry Safety” (T1194 CHAMOIS) project report has been published in RSSB’s research catalogue and is available for download. Finally, a new video on the SPAD Risk Ranking Tool is now available on the RSSB website.

In Period 11 we completed a full assessment of SMIS data quality for 2022, issuing scorecards to the companies that report into the system. We also provided normalised data related to operating incidents to operators. Plus, we helped our members take safe decisions by providing information on the value of preventing a fatality. Finally, one of RSSB’s Senior Risk and Safety Intelligence Analysts demonstrated the Whole System Risk Model to Shadow Rail Minister Tan Dhesi during his visit to RSSB.

This period we have supported members by completing a cost-benefit analysis on the effectiveness train horns. We have also supported ASLEF with risk work around GSM-R failures and provided Network Rail with our latest level crossing safety risk data to update its All Level Crossings Risk Model. Additionally, we have shared good practices with the international railway and worked on improvements in capability around our safety data reporting and metrics.

This period we collaborated with a numerous members to deliver short- and long-term benefits. Some examples include supporting Network Rail on the safety analysis of Optimised Train Track Operations, supporting LNER develop and enhance existing bowties, and discussing how we can improve safety and interoperability with colleagues at UIC. We continue to push forwards improvements in SMIS and improve understanding of safety performance and risk. In particular, as industry transformation gathers pace we are monitoring how and if safety performance and risk are affected.