Groups and Committees: the power of industry collaboration

The groups and committees RSSB supports represent the entire rail industry. They shape industry decisions and activities in many areas of improvement. We provide them with governance – the systems and structures they use to do their work. The governance groups cover:

• Industry standards
• System interfaces
• System safety
• Sustainability
• Supplier assurance
• Rail health and wellbeing
• Digital railway assurance

Within them, a huge range of experts volunteer their expertise to keep Britain moving with safer, smarter rail.

Why are the groups and committees so varied?

In a complex system like the railway, every decision has consequences. These experts work to ensure these are foreseen, and positive.

To this end, the governance must include broad representation. This ensures the consideration of a variety of views, and that any consensus includes all industry areas that might be affected. It also ensures the group or committee has access to practical experience, research, and standards. Not just from rail – but from other relevant industries and bodies.

This can bring unexpected subject matter to the table. We ask what constitutes ‘severe’ brinelling on roller bearings, and how to spot it. Whether high-tech hats with EEG detection can measure driver fatigue. We look for the ideal dimensions of retro-reflective buffer beams (275mm high +/- 5%, if you’re curious).

What topics do the groups and committees cover?

A small cross-section includes:

• The Rolling Stock Standards Committee
• The Trespass and Suicide Prevention Working Group
• The Electro-Magnetic Compatibility Steering Group

Each has multiple sub-groups or committees. These are more focused, and explore subject matter in great detail. So, they’re staffed by experts from around the industry, who explore rail’s most complex issues together. This ensures that standards, best practice, and advice are as useful and valuable as possible.

They’re always keen to introduce even greater expertise. This deep knowledge is what makes their work so valuable.

Where does this expertise come from?

The groups and committees search far and wide for relevant expertise. The Trespass and Suicide Prevention Working Group includes representatives from train operating companies, freight operating companies, infrastructure managers, and the British Transport Police. But it also works closely with the Samaritans. The Occupational Health and Hygiene Advisory Group brings in medical expertise from health providers.

How does RSSB contribute?

Our role includes contributing data insights and reporting. This forms part of the evidence used to shape committee decisions or set priorities. It may involve commissioning research or improving data collection and analysis.

Over the years, we’ve encouraged and led cross-industry safety data collection. This has demonstrated rail safety improvements. We’re piloting a similar data-led approach to health, working with 20 companies. This includes supporting benchmarking groups as they share good practice and learnings. This project will be used to identify and target investments to tackle rail’s key health issues and challenges.

Taking time to think in advance

The power of this approach comes from collaboration and consensus. These decisions are shaped by everyone. No-one has the power to force decisions through alone.

Consensus can take time. The turnaround time for standards is between 9 and 18 months. This reflects the thorough drafting and discussion process, ensuring that leading expert thinking is involved, and checking and double-checking by the industry. For standards this includes a consultation process that anyone can add to – in fact, we encourage you to sign up to receive details of upcoming Standards Consultations.

Nothing is set in stone. Anyone can question a published standard. It’s always possible to apply for a deviation – and the vast majority are approved. But there’s a rigorous process. The applicant must detail a justification, for their own protection as well as the protection of users. Again, safety is paramount.

The overall objective of our groups and committees is to increase the amount of thought and skill that goes into making rail safer and smarter. We’re also doing that thinking in advance – including working through potential problems. This makes implementation faster and more cost-effective, with fewer mistakes.

The more people who help, the better. So if you’re an expert, know one, or wish to act as an observer, visit RSSB.co.uk.