September 2023 Standards Update

30/11/2023

Several changes to standards have been published in September 2023. These are new or updated standards and point releases in the areas of Plant, Control, Command, and Signalling, Traffic Operation and Management, and Rolling Stock, as well as some Non-RSSB standards.

Download the September 2023 standards briefing presentation.

Watch the September 2023 Updates to Standards webinar.

Plant

In September, one revised standard was published.

RIS-1530-PLT Issue 7, Technical requirements for On Track Plant

Technical requirements for On Track Plant has been updated to refer to the latest legislative regime, and to the latest issues of related Euro Norms (ENs). Existing requirements have been supported with a rationale and updated guidance. New requirements providing clarity about preference for direct line of sight in the direction of travel of road-rail vehicles, and prioritised alternatives (assistant, CCTV or ground staff) have also been added.

Control, Command, and Signalling

In September, two revised standards have been published.

RIS-0707-CCS Issue 2, Management of Safety Related Control Command and Signalling (CCS) Subsystem Failures

RIS-0707-CCS has been updated and rewritten to set out:

the capability requirements for the proposed National CCS DRACAS, based on the RSSB Concept of Operations, in Part 3
the process requirements for managing information and data about CCS subsystem failures, in Part 4
the standardised risk classifications that apply to CCS subsystem failures, in Appendix A
new rationale underpinning requirements and guidance on managing CCS subsystem failures, faults and defects, in Parts 2, 3 and 4.

RIS-0703-CCS Issue 2, Signalling layout and signalling aspect sequence requirements

Content has been revised to help signalling system suppliers demonstrate compliance with rail industry standards for signalling layouts and signal aspect sequences. Section 2.1.3 has changed to remove the requirement to prove that certain signal aspects and indications are lit. New guidance explains how the risk of a lamp failure can be mitigated using lamp-proving controls. Some requirements and guidance on junction signals and junction aspect sequences have changed to describe current good practice and incorporate content from the now withdrawn Network Rail’s Signalling Design Handbook NR/L2/SIG/19609.

Traffic Operations and Management

In September, one revised standard has been published, as well as updates to many Rule Books modules and handbooks.

RIS-3780-TOM Issue 2, Operational Requirements for GSM-R Radio

The original risk model has been expanded to assess the benefits of an additional mitigation measure. The changes introduced by this revision to the standard allow railway undertakings to use a competent person in a non-leading cab to operate the GSM-R radio in an emergency, if the radio in the leading cab of a train fails. This optional mitigation measure can be used when portable equipment is not available and is subject to additional requirements.

Rule Book

The following modules and handbooks have been updated and will come into force in December 2023:

GERT8000-M1 Iss 7 and GERT8000-M2 Iss 7, these modules have been revised as part of a wider consideration of reducing the use of detonators as a form of protection. Briefings about these revisions can be found on the Rule Book September 2023 update webpage.

An interactive briefing PowerPoint slide deck has been produced detailing the changes made to the following handbooks and modules. Download here.

GERT8001 Iss 79

GERT8000-RBBL Iss 39

GERT8000 Issue Iss 36

GERT8000 Issue HB Iss 17

Form NR3189 Iss 2

Form RT3185 Iss 12-23

Form RT3188 Iss 12-23

Form RT3973 NUC Iss 2

GERT8000-HB20 Iss 4 (Withdrawn)

GERT8000 HB21 Iss 5 (Withdrawn)

Rolling Stock

In September, one revised standard, one point release, and one new technical note were published.

RIS-4472-RST Issue 2, Engineering Requirements for Steam Locomotives and other Heritage Vehicles

The standard has been amended to reflect developments on the GB mainline railway since the publication of issue one and to improve the clarity of existing guidance. Significant changes include:

clarification on the application of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations
updating to reflect the current regulatory position on continued use of Mark 1 type and hinged door rolling stock
inclusion of guidance on the fitting of European Train Control System onboard equipment
clarification of the responsibilities as an Entity in Charge of Maintenance when operating within the mainline heritage sector
acknowledgement of the role of Heritage Train Risk Group in overseeing the risk profile of the mainline heritage sector. References to other standards and legislation have also been updated

RIS-2795-RST Issue 2.3 - Track to Train RFID Compatibility

This standard has been published with a point release which covers new application code for APMC, added which will lead to a reduction in the driver’s workload where they may usually have to read trackside signs to understand the locations of unwired section or Permanently Earthed Sections.

TN106 issue 1 Examination and repair of structural corrosion in Mark 1 type rolling stock

This technical note is about structural corrosion in Mark 1 type rolling stock. It is supports and complements two standards, RIS-4472-RST and RIS-2003-RST. It includes guidance, diagrams, and photographs on how to examine and repair corrosion on this type of vehicle.