Making urban rail vehicle operation on or adjacent to GB mainline safer and easier
We needed to update an out-of-date guidance note and engage with light rail users and owners who were operating on, or adjacent to, the GB mainline.
There was another challenge in understanding the different systems and processes on urban rail vehicles. This is in addition to achieving technical compatibility and safety when integrating into the GB railway. To address this, we added use cases to help show some of the technical challenges posed in previous projects. These examples help users when looking at their project proposal and generating their Statement of Compatibility evidence.
We engaged with many light rail operators, vehicle owners, regulatory bodies, and safety experts. This was to draft a standard that covers urban rail vehicles to be shared, or run adjacent to, the GB mainline railway.
We also introduced a more detailed expansion on previous sections in issue 1 along with new sections. These covered energy, operations rolling stock, CCS, infrastructure, level crossings, and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility). This is in addition to topics such as cybersecurity, radios, and software.
The guidance now incorporates the Rail Interoperability Regulations (RIR) 2011 and the Railways and Other Guided Transport systems (safety) Regulations (ROGS) 2006. This is to explain the requirements for placing rail vehicles into service and use on the GB mainline railway.
This guidance note has been released at a time when funding has been released to local authorities.
Such authorities might use this standard to provide economic benefits to their relevant areas and help provide connectivity to communities that might otherwise have little to no access to the mainline railways. It also provides a standard that can help operators scope projects and prepare business cases for integration with the GB mainline railway.