Clearer signals for safer railways
Significant overlaps and contradictions existed between RIS-0703-CCS (issue 1 published in March 2018) and some older Network Rail (NR) standards, such as NR/L2/SIG/19609 Requirements for Colour light Junction Signalling (last published in 2007).
Through consultation with Network Rail and industry stakeholders it was agreed that the most appropriate solution was to updateRIS-0703-CCS, adding additional guidance and detail, in preference to updating NR/L2/SIG/19609. This would enable the Network Rail standard to be withdrawn without replacement.
The team engaged with the relevant senior stakeholders and industry experts through various governance groups. The agreed work was discussed at the Control Command and Signalling Standards Committee and other groups that have an interest in signalling principles.
The team revised and updated RIS-0703- CCS to provide a single, clear, and consistent set of requirements for 'signalling the layout' that are available across the industry.
As part of the work, various areas of unnecessary duplication with other standards were also reviewed and addressed.
The requirements have changed to help signalling system suppliers demonstrate compliance with rail industry standards for signalling layouts and signal aspect sequences.
This helps infrastructure managers and railway undertakings, because a well-designed lineside signalling system means that train drivers are given clear information at the right time and in the right place by lineside signal aspects and indications. This means that they can confidently make good train driving decisions.
Network Rail was able to withdraw NR/L2/SIG/19609 in March 2023.
The combination of the benefits to suppliers and signal layout designers are expected to save in excess of£1.2 million over a five-year period.