The work to make the National CCS DRACAS real is a very large and long-term project involving many stakeholders over several years. A structured process for this project is essential for success. It is also essential to collaborate with industry in this process, so that the system works for everyone.

Our collaboration with industry so far has produced important outputs in a structured sequence. These are: 

Concept of operations 

The concept of operations explains in detail how the National CCS DRACAS will work. It uses a systems engineering approach. It is also called the ‘ConOps’. It has the processes needed to achieve a common vision and the necessary interactions between organisations. 

It was the necessary first step in working out what is needed for the National CCS DRACAS. Industry was involved in both the creation and approval of the ConOps.

System model 

This is a partnership document to the ConOps. This describes the system that is needed to support the National CCS DRACAS. Industry was involved in both its creation and approval.

Rail Industry Standard RIS-0707-CCS Iss 2 

The Rail Industry Standard RIS-0707-CCS Iss 1 Management of Control Command and Signalling (CCS) Subsystem Failures, Faults and Defects already existed but was revised to include the definitions in the ConOps and the system model.

The revised standard, Iss 2, was published in September 2023.

Roadmap 

After the vital theoretical work for the National CCS DRACAS, industry needed to discuss and agree the next steps. The roadmap was produced after workshops with industry. We involved nearly 50 stakeholders in the work on the roadmap, agreeing what needed to be done and the order in which different projects needed to be carried out.