Looking after our own

Confidence leads to growth

Rail freight has immense value for the UK. It contributes around £2.5 billion annually to our economy while being exceptionally sustainable. Despite the challenging financial pressures, the sector has remained agile and collaborative as it looks to achieve the growth targets set by government, 75% increase by 2050. Achieving this will require a focus on safety and building on the already high safety performance of rail freight, which in turn provides a growing confidence for freight customers. Confidence leads to growth. Meeting the targets will require commitment from the entire industry on several strategic areas because increased demand and innovation can often present risk. We’re committed to supporting freight through current, new, and emerging challenges.

Fatigue: fighting an old foe

While some known risks are identified—and have programmes of work introduced to help mitigate them—some remain prevalent. Fatigue still presents a challenge for industry and within the freight sector. Although understanding of fatigue and its effects have improved, there is still more that can and needs to be done.

The Office of Rail and Road identified a gap in fatigue management for safety-critical workers during shifts. To assist freight colleagues identify, reduce, and help mitigate fatigue during shifts, we have supported the sector through the National Freight Safety Group’s freight fatigue working group. Together, we have developed an on-duty fatigue assessment tool and a series of case studies.

The pilot and trial for the On-duty Fatigue Assessment Tool concluded at the end of 2024. We’re now assessing the valuable experience and feedback gathered. When freight operating companies collaborate and share learning from case studies, we can use this to bring benefit to the whole sector by building a bank of knowledge and developing and good practice. With practical examples and a flexible tool tried and tested by rail freight staff, we can work together to reduce the risk from fatigue further, keeping our people safe.

Understanding freight assets

We know the key role that rail freight plays in the rail industry and the communities it serves. Freight safety and growth forms a core part of our Rail Health and Safety Strategy. We’re members of the

Freight Safe Steering Group which governs the Freight safe Programme. That’s the sector’s collaborative Health and Safety Plan, designed to facilitate safe growth.

A priority project from the Freight Safe Programme is the Wagon Condition Programme which has been introduced by the sector to understand wagon-condition-related incidents. Working with the project team, we’re supporting this key programme of work and have carried out the Wagon Condition Programme Risk Review. The substantial report produced has quantified current risks presented by freight vehicles on the railway network. In addition, it considers safety and environmental issues, business reputation, and performance recovery to inform an investment case for additional mitigation or action.

The power of pre-empting problems

Wheelset defects are a known precursor to safety and performance events. We’ve developed a Predictive Wheelset Maintenance Decision Support Tool. It’s an AI and data-driven decision solution for freight wagon wheelset efficiency and safety.

A high number of freight trains come out of service each year requiring urgent wagon maintenance. The new tool will use the large bank of data collected by the wheel impact load detector (WILD) systems to predict where maintenance action is needed. The key benefits of the tool include:

• Enhanced safety: Early detection of potential wheelset failures will improve performance and reliability and could prevent potential safety event.
• Improved operational efficiency: By optimising maintenance schedules, freight operators can reduce downtime and improve service reliability.
• Cost savings: Proactive maintenance can help avoid costly emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of rail infrastructure.

In 2025, we have committed to proving the concept of this tool as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance freight safety. We have been working with two FOCs to develop the tool, understand its benefits, and validate its effectiveness. The feedback we have received so far has been positive, highlighting the tool's potential to improve wheelset maintenance and overall rail safety.

The task is clear

Ensuring freight grows safely is paramount, and this requires continuous innovation and collaboration across the industry. By addressing both known and emerging risks, we keep the people who make rail freight possible, and the communities around the railway, safe.