Project number:
2022-STN-005
Improved gauging standard increases freight access to the network
Combining clearer gauge and wagon design guidance and new research
'The updated W10 and W12 freight gauges incorporated in this new standard will allow us to run larger containers on our existing wagon fleet. This will be a key enabler in allowing GB rail freight companies to grow container carrying capability and contribute to modal shift and the DFT’s rail freight growth target.'
The challenge
Existing freight gauge definitions in GERT8073 Application of Standard Vehicle Gauges were designed for wagons on the network in 2002. They didn’t include modern freight wagons. A recent RSSB research report, T1327, found ways to revise these gauge definitions to better suit the use of modern freight wagon designs.
The challenge was to incorporate these findings into the revised gauging standard. It aimed to:
- improve the boundary between the upper and lower vehicle sector gauges
- include a table of gauging parameter tolerances for all freight gauges
- guidance on benchmark suspension characteristics.
What we did
Our project team worked closely with industry to revise the standard to remove ambiguity and take into account the research findings.
This required four specific areas of work:
- providing clarity and removing ambiguity in the definitions of freight gauges
- revising the definition of freight gauges from the RSSB research report
- incorporating guidance on benchmark suspension characteristics
- reviewing references and applying consistent use of terminology.
The RSSB website has been updated to reflect these changes.
We used the same experts on both the standards project and the research project to ensure seamless and quick implementation of the findings into the standard.
Benefits delivered
This work will unlock the opportunity to increase freight on the GB rail network. It supports the modal shift from road to rail, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will contribute significantly to the Department for Transport’s freight growth target of 75% by 2050.
The main benefits from this work are the increase in permitted wagon and container combinations, and the reduced costs of gauging assessments. Two gauges, W10 and W12, were revised to permit more than 60 and 150 new combinations respectively without changes to the infrastructure.
In addition, 351 lines (~1,234 miles) and 325 new lines (~841 miles) could be cleared to W10 and W12. Many of these could serve as routes for diversions if needed.