Vehicle/Train Control & Communications System Interface Committee
"V/TC&C SIC provides expertise and strategic knowledge of train control systems, signalling, telecommunications, operations and rolling stock. We develop and deliver control, command and communications solutions that provide the best overall systems to serve the needs and expectations of our Customers."
Scope
The scope of the V/TC&C SIC is defined in its remit and includes:
- Maintaining performance and availability of currently deployed systems and investigating the potential for new systems.
- Adding value to existing assets by ensuring that at the interface the most cost-effective solution is sought, compatible with balancing the needs of safety and performance.
- Utilising research to investigate new technology as well as improving the interface.
- Delivering strategic research programmes to the Technical Strategy Leadership Group.
- Proposing new, and changes to, Railway Group Standards and Guidance Notes.
- Sustaining the life of current systems and carrying out research to support future developments.
F-CCS Industry Vision and Policy
Created in partnership with the industry by the F-CCS Guiding Body, and endorsed by the Technical Leadership Group, the F-CCS Industry Vision and Policy establishes an industry vision for future train control systems. It provides a vision, and associated policies and guidance, for each of five overarching objectives for future train control: Sustainability; Capacity; Performance; Safety and Security; International Marketability and Supply Chain Continuity. It is intended to serve as a continual reminder of what each stakeholder should deliver in order to fulfil its obligations and validate the direction of travel of the industry.
V/TC&C SIC are providing sponsorship and ownership of the F-CCS Industry Vision and Policy, assuming responsibility for:
- Communicating, and encouraging adoption of, the document.
- Providing practical advice and assistance to stakeholders in implementing the document.
- Maintaining and ensuring cross industry access to the document.
For any questions, requests for advice, or suggestions related to document maintenance, please contact the Industry Groups Manager via the customer portal.
Subgroups
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Defect Recording Analysis and Corrective Action System (DRACAS) Steering GroupThe Defect Recording Analysis and Corrective Action System Steering Group provides industry governance to the Digital Railway Programme to deliver national DRACAS business processes and associated business change elements. This will ensure the project provides benefits across industry, by improving performance for all parties.
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Degraded Mode Working System Sub-groupThe Degraded Mode Working Systems Sub-group steers research and development around train movement authority in times of primary signalling failure. The project has evaluated the economic and technical case for a proposed solution, and focus will now be placed on completing an operational trial to demonstrate a functional degraded mode working system for the GB railway.
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Driver Advisory Systems BoardThe Driver Advisory Systems Board aims to identify and promote operational deployments of DAS technology and systems which will improve the operational capability and performance of the UK railway network, and support putting the passenger first.
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Electro-Magnetic Capability Steering GroupThe Electro-Magnetic Capability Steering Group provides an informed GB view of European developments in the area of EMC standards to ensure that proposed requirements for standards are acceptable to infrastructure managers and rolling stock suppliers.
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FRMCS & GSM-R Guidance Sub-groupThe FRMCS & GSM-R Guidance Sub-group aims to provide advice and guidance to ensure FRMCS, the successor of GSM-R, is integrated effectively and efficiently into the Railway Industry supporting the delivery of the Rail Technical Strategy.
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Future Communications and Positioning Systems Advisory GroupThe Future Communications & Positioning Systems Advisory Group is to provide advice and direction to the industry on appropriate communication technologies as enablers to the rail Technical Strategy vision.
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Train Control Technical Sub-groupThe Train Control Technical Sub-group assists the railway industry, under the direction of V/TC&C SIC, to manage technical and operational aspects of train control, train protection systems, and system interfaces in a safe, cost-effective, and efficient way.
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Train Protection Strategy GroupThe Train Protection Strategy Group aims to develop and monitor the industry Train Protection Strategy and review the application and use existing of train protection systems.
Membership
The V/TC&C SIC has members representing these industry stakeholders:
- passenger train operators
- rolling stock owners and leasing companies
- freight and other non-passenger train operators
- infrastructure managers and owners
- suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers
- RSSB
- Department for Transport
- Office of Rail and Road
Chair of committee: Clive Burrows, First Rail Holdings Limited
RSSB main representative: Stuart McFarland
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Committee members
Name Company Representing Status Andrew Simmons Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Digital Railway Programme Member Andy Stringer Siemens Mobility Limited (MRX) Suppliers Member Clive Burrows First Rail Holdings Limited Chair Chair Colin Musisi Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited Rolling Stock Owners Member Darren Jowett Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Digital Railway Programme Member Dave Palmer Department for Transport Department for Transport Observer David Choda Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Infrastructure Managers Member Euan Rideout Freightliner Group Limited Non Passenger Train Operators Member Jeremy Morling Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Infrastructure Manager Member John Batty TransPennine Express Passenger Train Operators Member Lei Chen University of Birmingham
Academia Member Luisa Moisio RSSB RSSB Observer Maya Petkova Mott MacDonald Group Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Nada Abouelhiga
SE Trains Limited
Passenger Train Operators Alternate Nadia Hoodbhoy Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
Infrastructure Managers Member Paul Gray RSSB RSSB Observer Jenny Connolly RSSB RSSB IGM Member Stephen Williams Office of Rail and Road Office of Rail and Road Observer Stuart McFarland RSSB RSSB Member Taku Fujiyama University College London Academia Member
