December 2023 Standards Update
Download the December 2023 interactive standards briefing presentation.
Watch the December 2023 Updates to Standards webinar here.
Traffic Operations and Management
In December, one point release was published.
GERT8000-T3 Iss 11.1 - Possession of a running line for engineering work
Following a recent incident in which an OTM entered a possession at an intermediate point without getting the necessary authority from the PICOP or the signaller, instructions in T3 on who can give that authority have been amended. Sections 9.1 a) and 9.1 c) have been changed to say where a PICOP, ES, or a competent person on their behalf will meet the train, which will depending on where the train is to enter the possession. Section 9.1 b) has not been changed as the PICOP when authorising the movement from an adjacent siding will give the driver any necessary instructions.
Note this and all the changes made to the Rule Book published in September come into force in December 2023. Details of the changes can be found here.
Rolling Stock
Between September 2023 Standards update and December 2023 Standards update, two new Rolling Stock technical notes were published.
This technical note aims to help the GB rail industry in the design and operation of on-train camera monitoring systems. The design and performance of on-train camera monitoring systems may impact the safe and effective operation of a vehicle. This may result in vehicles:
- being withdrawn from service in case of inclement weather, such as snow and ice
- requiring additional technical or operational support, or an unusual mode of operation.
This technical note provides guidance on how the dispatch process for DCO and DOO vehicles is performed with reference to the appropriate Rule Book modules and standards. In addition, guidance is provided on the design trade-offs of DCO and DOO systems and considerations that may be given to their availability and reliability.
TN111 Rolling stock – cyber security
This technical note has been produced because cyber-attacks on the railway are likely to increase as the railway becomes more digital in design and operation. Cyber security must be considered in the context of the overall safety and security of the railway.
This technical note sets out types of cyber security control measures that may be put in place when designing a new component or function to help mitigate against malicious or non-malicious cyber-attacks on operational and information technology software systems on rolling stock.
Infrastructure
In December, one new and one revised standard were published.
RIS-7707-INS Iss 1 - Switches and Crossings
This is a new rail industry standard that includes requirements and guidance for the identification, design, and maintenance of S&C. It includes requirements for point identification to facilitate a consistent approach for industry. It addresses facing point locks, detection, and train-operated points.
Following a review of GCRT5021 Iss 5 Track System Requirements, those requirements specific to S&C deemed out of scope of railway group standards, and which are valid and useful to the rail industry, have been retained in RIS-7707-INS. The requirements are supported by rationale and guidance.
GCRT5021 Iss 6 - Track System Requirements
GCRT5021 sets out requirements and guidance for track geometry, track systems, and track components to provide for the safe guidance and support of rail vehicles.
Issue 6 incorporates the amendments, deviations, and clarifications which have been submitted since the publication of issue 5. It also includes findings from RSSB research report T1073 and research report COF UOH 59 (2023), including the requirements regarding cant deficiency at switch toes.
The standard now only contains requirements that are in the scope of Railway Group Standards (RGS). Requirements relating to S&C that were previously contained within issue 5, but which are outside the scope of RGS, have been incorporated into Rail Industry Standard, RIS-7707-INS.
Non-RSSB Standards
In December, three revised Codes of Practice and three new posters were published.
The revised Codes of Practice are:
COP0025 Iss 5 - Code of Practice for Brake Testing of OTP
COP0125 Iss 5 - Code of Practice for Management of Sidings Safety Surveys
COP0128 Iss 3 - Code of Practice for Route Knowledge within Possessions
The new posters are:
Poster I3 Iss 3 - Seasonal Operating of OTP
Poster L8 Iss 3 - OTP Mechanical Movement Limiting Device Awareness
Poster L9 Iss 3 - Rail Handling – Rail Turner Awarene
