The research examined the feasibility for simplified, lower cost signalling solutions for smaller freight terminals.
Project number:
T1368
Simplifying signalling connections for new smaller freight sites
'Critical to unlocking the scale of new-to-rail traffic needed for the Government’s rail freight growth target.'
The challenge
Providing signalling connection to new freight terminals is expensive and time consuming. This makes small freight sites unviable.
A new rail freight terminal often needs a new connection to the main line. The civil engineering costs are mostly predictable to estimate and procure. However, providing the signalling is often time consuming and has a high associated cost. The scale of change required can also be significant. This leads to smaller freight site becoming economically unviable.
What we did
We engaged with signalling suppliers, freight operators and customers and the Network Rail signalling community to come up with a design for a low-cost signalling solution.
Our research found it is possible to use existing equipment to create a ‘ground frame base signalling facility’. This allows a ‘possession’ to be taken locally before the train is moved across the junction. The signaller hands over control to a local operator who oversees the train movement in or out of the freight terminal. Once complete the local operator hands back control to the signaller.
We are now working to seek systems approval from Network Rail’s Future CCS Approval Panel.
Benefits delivered
The ‘ground frame signalling facility’ avoids the need to modify interlocking systems, signaller controls or display interfaces. It is also a generic design that enables multiple suppliers to provide the equipment.
This new solution results in an estimated cost of around £100,000. That represents a significant improvement as previous signalling connections for new terminals have sometimes cost over £1 million.
By offering a cost-effective option, this approach has the potential to unlock new rail freight markets. This would support the shift of freight from road to rail.