Steps to implement a national system for detecting faults, failures, and defects in control, command, and signalling
Modern control, command and signalling (CCS) systems consist of many subsystems that are distributed across the lineside and rolling stock. These systems bring advantages yet present an asset management challenge due to the subsystems being spread across assets that are owned and operated by different organisations.
This can lead to CCS system failures on a train due to a defect in a lineside system. Understanding and resolving such issues requires a DRACAS that covers all the organisations using the CCS system. A clear roadmap to implement the requirements for a national CCS DRACAS prevents the risk of multiple DRACAS systems, which would lead to a failure to secure the significant benefits of an industry-wide approach.
RSSB revised the relevant standard (RIS-0707-CCS) and conducted workshops with industry to produce an effective roadmap.
RSSB conducted four workshops with approximately 49 industry stakeholders. The purpose was to gain an understanding of the necessary steps to deliver a National CCS DRACAS, identify potential barriers, and create a roadmap with cross-industry endorsement.
The workshops addressed DRACAS principles, politics and commerce, and data reporting. The ‘one for all and all for one’ workshop focused on what stakeholders need to adopt the national DRACAS approach. Stakeholder engagement was excellent. A specific session with the East Coast Digital Programme team ensured this was aligned and included in the roadmap.
The resultant analysis identified 107 imperatives crystalised into 70 projects across six interrelated workstreams, organised in a staged roadmap.
The National CCS DRACAS Roadmap is a key enabler for realisation of the benefits associated with the CCS DRACAS standard.
The challenge of implementing a national DRACAS is not dissimilar to many asset management programmes within large organisations that involve multiple in-house and supply chain stakeholders. Here, we are not dealing with one organisation but a sector, with multiple board rooms and interests. There has been excellent collaboration in the development of the system model, the concept of operations, the standard, and the roadmap.
The roadmap provides a credible route to the implementation of a National CCS DRACAS. The capability provided will enable improvements to the reliability and safety of CCS subsystems which is estimated to realise £231m potential benefits over 10 years and mitigate a predicted £351m disbenefit to the industry if no action is taken.