Project Overview

Tram stations are unmanned, and the open network the trams operate on are unsecure, which provides a level of risk not seen on the UK rail network. 

Initially, the light rail tram operator had two key risks to evaluate for which they needed our support. The first was risk associated with the Platform Train Interface, assessing the risk of potential incidents involving members of the public falling into and/or becoming trapped in the gap between tram and platform edge. The second was assessing the risk of passengers falling into the gap between the carriages. This could happen as a result from coupler surfing or moving between trams, whether trams were in transit or not.

Subsequently, we were tasked with undertaking a tram operation risk assessment review and delivering our recommendations to allow the operator to meet industry good practice.

The project scope included recommendations for the tram operator to generate risk assessments that target operational areas of improvement, which in turn would provide confidence in their ability to act reasonably in accordance with ‘as low as reasonably practicable’.

Project Delivery and Outcome

Our experts included a system safety engineer and principal system safety engineer. As part of this project, they used existing RSSB guidance documents, including Taking Safe Decisions and CSM common safety method for monitoring and the GEGN8646 Guidance on the common safety method for risk evaluation and assessment. After considering the initial project brief, they concluded that an independent review into the risk assessment of the double units was required.

This approach enabled our experts to ensure their recommendations were aligned with good industry practice in detail, content, and structure, together with identifying whether risks had been captured and incorporated correctly in the recommendations.

While this project wasn’t required to analyse standards, we were able to provide the tram operator with recommendations that will align their risk assessment practices to best practice in rail. This enabled the tram operator to receive further insights to help target risk management activities in the most effective and appropriate way. The consultancy project also provided an independent expert opinion about which additional quantified risk assessments should be carried out.

This has been a positive move in the right direction for safety from their point of view.

Why RSSB

Safety is the highest priority for any rail or tram operator. However, operating an unsecure network poses significant challenges, so it was vital RSSB worked thoroughly to make sure that all the necessary risks were captured correctly.

Our consultants are among the most informed subject-matter experts for safety in the world. They set the standards, so there is less catching up to-do, ensuring the focus is delivering exactly what consultancy clients require

In addition, although many of our skills and expertise have been developed and applied in the rail industry, they can also be applied to other industries, particularly when the client’s needs relate to managing risk.

Whether it’s rail, light rail, other modes of transport or other industries, UK-based or internationally based, RSSB Consultancy makes our experts available on a project basis, to help organisations answer technical questions that are critical to their future.