Whole-system approach: how rail shapes RSSB’s work

RSSB is the only rail organisation that focuses on improving the entire network. We have a wide remit that includes safety, standards, research, and sustainability. So it’s no surprise to find some of the world’s foremost experts on rail technical matters within our ranks.

But our work demands an even wider view than that. From our inception we have encouraged and depended on close collaboration with industry and academic experts.

Working with everyone in rail

First and foremost, we collaborate and cooperate extensively with our members. These are organisations representing the entire industry.

We also have strong links with universities, who carry out research for us and for rail. Cranfield and Huddersfield are just two that have worked with us on smarter train maintenance practices.

In fact, the scale of this collaboration is staggering. Virtually all our resources are overseen, governed, commissioned or approved by a cross-industry group. These numerous groups include representatives from RSSB members and other stakeholders. That means hundreds of people all around rail are actively involved in carrying out and guiding RSSB activity.

The widest-ranging consultations

For system interfaces alone there are a wealth of groups. These include adhesion research, wheelset management, driver advisory systems, electromagnetic compatibility, train control, traction, train protection, and defect recording. Each group includes a wide range of experts. Wheelset management has representatives from universities, passenger and non-passenger train operators, ROSCOs, suppliers, and infrastructure managers/manufacturers. Not to mention RSSB.

The extent of these committees and groups can seem overwhelming. Over the years, it’s even been the butt of some jokes. But it offers the most agile way to tap into the entire network’s priorities and expertise.

How our unique membership structure plays in

As a huge industry, rail is a large and complex system. Businesses, organisations, and specialisms must work together for a safe, efficient and cost-effective network. The sheer number of sub-systems means that any improvement work needs open access to deep expertise.

Input from our members helps in two ways. It helps guide the direction of research, ensuring that multiple points of view can contribute to prioritising time and resource. And it gives each project direct access to a unique wealth of technical expertise and experience.

This makes the network safer, but also much more efficient. It saves millions of pounds in operational cost – in 2023-24 our work saved the industry £527 million.

Projects with further projected savings include:

• Health and Wellbeing Data Hub will save £10 million a year with a collaborative, standardised system for analytics and research
• Freight gauge and speed optimisation will save £46 million over five years
• Train speed rules and new temporary speed signage is estimated to save over £41 million over five years
• New freight train preparation standard RIS-3781-TOM will save almost £15 million over five years
• New, more efficient, AC electrification standards will save £27 million by 2027.

How you can contribute

It’s our mission to help keep Britain moving with safer, smarter rail. But we can’t do this alone. Our whole-system view combines with whole-system participation.

We’re always looking for more expertise to help move the network forward. If you have a particular area of expertise, we’d love to hear from you. You could enjoy the satisfaction of helping bring tangible benefits to the entire network.