Increasing freight access to the network with gauge changes
Existing W10 and W12 gauge definitions were designed for the specifications of vehicles on the network in 2002. They exclude newer wagon and container combinations from running on currently cleared routes.
This means that modern freight designs need absolute gauging analyses. These find out whether the clearance between a modern freight design and specific route is
large enough. This process is expensive and time consuming for the freight sector.
The challenge was to increase the wagon/container combinations that can be cleared to run on these two gauges, without significantly degrading clearances. This avoids the need for new absolute gauging analyses
The research proposed revised profiles that include a 9mm increase to the upper height for the lower profile, and chamfer to the top of gauge profile.
Network-wide gauging analyses were carried out to assess the impact of the revised profiles. These identified how clearances were affected by the changes. The analyses also:
- Identified likely new routes that could be cleared for the new gauges
- Showed the potential for new wagon and container combinations that could be run on the revised W10 and W12 cleared routes
The main benefits from this work are the increase in permitted wagon and container combinations, and the reduced costs from gauging compatibility assessments. The revised W10 gauge profile permits more than 60 new combinations. For W12 more than 150 wagon-container combinations can expect clearance.
351 additional lines (~1,234 miles) were identified that could be cleared to W10, and 325 new lines (~841 miles) to W12. Several of these could serve as diversionary routes if needed.
This helps to unlock the opportunity to increase freight on the GB rail network. This supports the modal shift from road to rail and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It contributes towards the DfT’s freight growth target of 75% by 2050.