Operational requirements for GSM-R radio
Previously, trains had to be taken out of service due to a defective radio (Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway, GSM-R) in the leading cab.
It was reported that one train operator had made use of a competent person in the non-leading cab as a mitigation measure, but this and other alternative ways of using GSM-R radio had not yet been properly assessed for industry use.
RSSB experts, and the Traffic and Operations Management Standards Committee, performed the appropriate risk assessments to ascertain the benefits of this practice and extend it to industry.
RSSB expanded the GSM-R Failure Risk Model to assess the benefits of the additional mitigation measure. As a result of this work, principles were developed to underpin the contingency arrangements to deal with failures of GSM-R onboard train radio equipment.
The changes introduced by this revision to the standard allow railway undertakings to use a competent person in a non-leading cab to operate the GSM-R radio in an emergency if the GSM-R radio in the leading cab of a train fails. This optional mitigation measure can be used when portable equipment is not available and is subject to additional requirements.
In addition to the changes to RIS-3780-TOM issue two, Rule Book modules 'TW1 Preparation and movement of trains: general' and 'TW5 Preparation and movement of trains: Defective or isolated vehicles and on-train equipment' were also updated to incorporate the relevant instructions associated with the change.
The addition of the extra mitigation measure assists railway undertakings in complying with their legal obligations in case of a radio defect.
Where portable equipment or a hand-portable device is not immediately available, the provision of a competent person in the non-leading cab now allows trains to remain in service when they would have previously not been able to.
This is estimated to have the potential to reduce some GSM-R-related delays, with an estimated benefit of £491,606 to the industry over 5 years. In addition, some editorial changes applied to the structure of the document will assist transport operators and users of the standard to clearly identify requirements and guidance.