AGENDA ITEM: B1
MEETING:
RSSB Board Meeting
DATE:
02 July 2015
SUBJECT:
Chief Executive’s Report
SPONSOR:
Chris Fenton
INDEX
1. Safety Performance
2. RSSB products and services
- Safety and Risk
- Standards
- knowledge
- Innovation
- Schemes
3. RSSB (Internal)
1.
Safety Performance
1.1
Safety Information
1.1.1
Summary safety information is included in Annex A. The headlines since the last board meeting
are:


During April and May 2015 there were no workforce fatalities. There was 1 passenger fatality
and 3 public accidental fatalities
During April and May, there were 40 signals passed at danger (SPADs). This is 13 fewer than
in the same two months in the previous year. (Note that this figure is provisional until all
cases have been agreed with the relevant parties.) Of the 40 SPADs, 14 were risk-ranked
potentially significant (16-19), and 1 was risk-ranked as potentially severe (20+).
1.2
RAIB Investigations and publications
1.2.1
RAIB initiated four investigations:

Detachment of container from moving freight train near Deeping St Nicholas Lincolnshire,
(31/03/2015)
Spigot design and high winds combine in this later container-related incident

Container train derailment at Washwood Heath, 23/03/2015
Incident poses questions about track maintenance and possible condition of wagon

Person trapped in train doors and dragged at West Wickham, (10/04/2015)
Incident highlights issues around unit door closure sequence and passenger expectation

Collision between tractor and train at Oakwood Farm UWC, (14/05/2015)
User behaviour and crossing design combine in collision.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 1 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
1.2.2
RAIB published two reports:

Derailment of empty passenger train at Paddington, (25/05/2014)
Incorrect bogie set-up combine with track defect within station limit

Fatal accident at Frampton level crossing (11/05/2014)
User behaviour highlight issues of ‘actual use’ vs ‘permitted use’.
1.2.3
There was one other report published by RAIB:

Derailment at Ashburys (13/11/2014).
Further details relating to the RAIB reports and investigations is available on the RSSB board
members extranet page.
2.
RSSB Products and services
2.1
Safety and Risk
2.1.1
SMIS+
Work is progressing on the work to redevelop the SMIS system (SMIS+). The specification for the
project is complete and it is to be put out to tender by publication in the Official Journal of the
European Union. This process will develop accurate costings to input to the business case for
subsequent board approval. Jane Sandwith, who led the business change workstream for
Network Rail’s roll out of the Close Call system, has been taken on part time at RSSB to lead the
SMIS+ business change workstream, and the programme of network for this is in development.
2.1.2
Initial Industry Plan
The strategic narrative for the Initial Industry Plan will be submitted by Network Rail (with RDG)
in September 2015, working towards the full plan in September 2016. The Planning Oversight
Group (POG) of RDG has identified a series of work streams including both ‘strategies’ and
‘outputs’. David Clarke is the work stream lead for Innovation. Anthony Perret of RSSB is the
work stream lead for Sustainability.
A presentation to SSRG by POG requested input to safety. We have nominated Jay Heavisides of
RSSB to coordinate our inputs. This should be clearly aligned to the developing Health and Safety
Strategy with expert inputs form SSRG and its subgroups, with engagement from the RSSB board.
2.1.3
Risk Management Forum
The annual Risk Management Forum (RMF) was held on Thursday 18 June 2015 at Network Rail’s
Westwood Training Centre in Coventry. RMF is an RSSB facilitated annual one-day conference
which aims to encourage safety risk managers and practitioners to share, develop and steer good
practice in risk management for Britain’s railways.
2.1.4
Rail Health and Safety Strategy
The project team to develop the content of the new Rail Health and Safety Strategy has been
mobilised and commenced work on 02 June 2015. The project leader is Roan Willmore from
Network Rail and the proposed content has been planned. Interviews with key contributors from
across the industry are underway and the first draft of the content is planned to be complete on
17 July.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 2 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
The plan is to then undertake structured engagement to secure feedback in August and
September, refine the content and secure agreement about how individual companies need to
respond to the strategy. A full paper and review is scheduled for the September board.
2.2
Standards
2.2.1
Railway Group Standards (RGSs) and associated documents
Industry consultation for the 2015 Rule Book Development Programme which includes changes
related to the Thameslink programme was carried out between 01/04/2015 to 30/04/2015, with
a total of 436 individuals consulted against the 26 Modules, 21 Handbooks and one nonmandatory ‘RS’ Information Handbook. All comments and objections raised were satisfactorily
resolved and the project is on course in terms of delivering to agreed timescales.
2.2.2
Digital Rule Book
The proposal for the development of a Digital Rule Book was also initiated. This work would
facilitate the provision of a digital product that enables the user to access current content
[GE/RT8000] in a variety of ways [internet based and mobile applications], providing them with
the flexibility to tailor the product(s) to suit their personal learning styles and preferences.
2.2.3
Other support to members
RSSB continues to support Crossrail in the development of their operational rules. The project
team’s technical specialists are currently undertaking the initial drafting of documents before
further analysis is done to identify gaps and seek relevant information to support rules
development. RSSB has also provided its feedback on NTRs developed by Crossrail and has
highlighted elements and areas which may need further consideration.
2.3
Knowledge
2.3.1
R&D Budget Authorisations
RSSB’s executive has approved four projects since those reported to the board’s May meeting.
There have been no new projects authorised by TSLG.
Date
T#
Title
12/05/2015
T1081
Continuing the evaluation of the Redacted
national rail suicide prevention
programme
National Suicide
Prevention Working
Group
12/05/2015
T1079
Coexistent operation of ERTMS and
Class B (AWS and TPWS) systems
Train Control Technical
Sub-Group
03/06/2015
T1093
Scoping company health standards
to establish a cross industry baseline
Health and Wellbeing
Policy Group
03/06/2015
T1094
Building health and wellbeing data
user requirements for the rail
industry
Health and Wellbeing
Policy Group
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Budget
Cross industry group
Page 3 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
2.3.2
R&D Summary
a) RSSB and London Underground (LU) have signed a knowledge partnership agreement
enabling a large body of LU research to be made available via SPARK to RSSB’s members, and
for LU staff to have enhanced access to existing material in SPARK. LU recognises the benefits
of collaborating through SPARK, commenting that ‘…the opportunity for networking and cooperation across the rail sector will be of huge benefit in reducing duplication of work and
ideas and increasing innovation’
b) The first Accelerating Innovation in Rail (AIiR1) call co-funded with Innovate UK has been
completed. Fully 17 projects incorporate innovative rail technology. Highlights include:
• Aerospace materials in rail led by London Underground, which developed a lightweight
door with potential to contribute to reduced dwell times.
• Digital Displacement Flywheel led by Artemis/Ricardo which demonstrated a potential for
6-8% fuel savings through energy storage technology.
c) Three directly managed R&D projects have been completed, including T1039 Economic
assessment of a GB-based pantograph and overhead line testing facility. This project has
delivered a positive business case for investment in testing facilities for electrification
systems; the potential for inclusion of such facilities within the context of Centres for
Excellence is now being explored through the innovation team, with the potential to facilitate
the introduction of innovative pantographs and OLE systems, and improve maintenance of
current systems.
d) Through RSSB’s strategic partnership with the Institute of Railway Research at The University
of Huddersfield we are exploring the potential of ‘Big Data Risk Analysis’ for the railway
harnessing affordable, high-powered computers and a new generation of software
applications in order to analyse vast amounts of safety-relevant data, culled from a huge
variety of sources. Already proving its worth within the previously reported project Red
Aspect Approaches to Signals, the partnership team is now looking at learning from Close Call
data.
e) Also seeking to maximise value from data are the shortlisted projects selected following the
RRUKA call for feasibility studies on the theme of data to improve the customer experience.
With 22 good proposals received, and five additional Universities joining as RRUKA members,
the call has been the most successful so far.
f)
The third ‘Next Generation Rail’ conference aimed at connecting early career researchers,
young professionals and apprentices within the industry is being held at Network Rail’s
Westwood Centre on 1-3 July. Reflecting the theme ‘knowledge without border’ speakers
from railways across the world including JR East, US Department of Transportation and Saudi
Arabian Railways as well as from DG MOVE will be sharing their experience. The conference
also includes SkillShops to build capabilities for bringing innovation into the industry.
2.4
Innovation
2.4.1
Redacted
2.4.2
Major contracts let in the period
There were 17 contracts let in Q4 2014/15 and Q1 2015/16. Four of those had a contract value
above £250k, see below:
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 4 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
Contract
Value
Project Title
Supplier
GoTRAX Vision Navigation System
GOBOTIX Ltd
Map Improvement, Map Matching and Map Aiding Demonstration
Project
Nottingham Scientific Ltd
Driver Support System Demonstrator Project
Reliable Data Systems Intl
Ltd
Phase 2 development of the COMbined Position Alternative
Signalling System ("COMPASS") National Programme
Network Rail
Infrastructure Ltd
2.5
Schemes
2.5.1
CIRAS
Redacted
The first CIRAS sponsored conference was held on 22 May 2015 and summary coverage is
included in the latest version of the Reporter newsletter. The new CIRAS website is currently
undergoing testing and is scheduled for launch on 31 July. Following expansion of the scheme to
include all Sentinel sponsors in April, scheme income is ahead of budget.
2.5.2
RISQS
The new RISQS website was launched on 24 June. The new website has been specified and
developed by RSSB in conjunction with the RISQS scheme manager.
2.5.3
RISAS
The scheme is going to sponsor a RISAS workshop at the Rail Vehicle Conference in Derby on 08
October 2015. The purpose of the workshop will be to share experience of RISAS certificated
suppliers with applicant companies and potential suppliers.
2.6
R2
RSSB (in partnership with Atos Worldline) are, on behalf of the industry, developing and rolling
out a replacement for the Rolling Stock Library (RSL) and the Rail Vehicle Records System (RAVERS)
with a new modern application known as ‘R2’. A revised transition plan agreed by the R2 project
board earlier in the year showed a go live date for R2 in early September 2015 and as originally
planned in the programme all users that pay Worldline for the use of existing RSL an RAVERS
systems will see their payments reduced by 28% on 06 August 2015 and made to RSSB rather than
Worldline.
However, the board are advised that following 4 days of training on the production system (22 to
25 June involving cross industry representatives) prior to starting User Acceptance testing it has
been concluded that, while the system was very well received in terms of its look, feel and new
functionality, the system is not in a mature enough state to go straight into formal user
acceptance testing. Given that the majority of the contingency planned into the programme has
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 5 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
already been used, the time needed to understand and rectify issues identified with the system
prior to testing may now delay the overall delivery programme.
At the time of publishing this paper the full extent of the implications of the issues identified had
not been fully worked through. This will be reported to the board at the meeting.
We have also noted that despite widespread communications stakeholder engagement to ensure
that all the organisations are aware of the project and have signed up to the necessary training is
proving to be difficult and time consuming. To address this we have employed additional resource
to focus on stakeholder engagement and we believe that awareness is now increasing. Senior
level interventions may be required if user organisations do not get involved.
3.
Internal
3.1
Members and Stakeholders
3.1.1
Membership Applications
None at present.
3.2
Directors
3.2.1
Graham Hopkins of Network Rail has been appointed with effect from 01 June 2015.
3.2.2
Anson Jack has announced his resignation from RSSB with effect from 30 June 2015. Anson’s
knowledge and experience will be much missed and we thank him for his substantial contribution
to RSSB.
3.3
Finance Overview
Redacted.
3.4
Communications
3.4.1
Departmental structure
Joanne Bird will be joining RSSB as Head of Communications on 22 June from the British Transport
Police.
3.4.2
Stakeholder Survey
The RSSB 2015 Stakeholder Survey will be distributed in September. This year’s survey will build
on the results of 2014, but will included new questions regarding member training requirements
and satisfaction with communications methods and frequency.
3.4.3
ASPR webinar
RSSB is to host its first webinar as part of the communication of this year’s Annual Safety
Performance Report (ASPR) and Learning from Operational Experience Annual Report (LOEAR).
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 6 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
On 8 July, RSSB’s Director of System Safety, George Bearfield, will deliver a filmed presentation of
the key results over the internet which stakeholders are invited to view and participate in.
3.4.4
A detailed Communications update is available via the RSSB board members extranet page.
3.5
RSSB staff safety issues
3.5.1
Eight accidents have been reported, comprising one cut due to incorrect glass disposal, one
slip/trip incident, three finger trap incidents, one cut on a removal crate, one body trap incident
in lift doors and one scalding incident. First aid has been rendered where requested and the cause
of the finger trap incidents has been addressed.
3.6
Organisational Design
3.6.1
The resignation of Anson Jack and Helen Goodman and planned retirement of Colin Dennis in Q4
2015 will leave a Senior Leadership Team as shown below:
The promotion of David Clarke and George Bearfield and recruitment of Eileen Pevreall and Mark
Phillips have allowed a smooth transition.
3.7
Office move
We have now moved into our new premises here at The Helicon in Moorgate. The move
successfully took place over the late May bank holiday weekend. Feedback from staff and visitors
has been very positive.
3.7.1
Dilapidations and Lease
Redacted
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 7 of 8
AGENDA ITEM: B1
3.7.2
Rates
Redacted.
3.8
Contracts over £250k
Title
Supplier
Provision of AV
Viastak
Facilities Services Provision (contract extension)
Mace Macro
Design and Build Project
Area Squared
4.
4.1
Contract Value
Redacted
Recommendations
The board is asked to:


NOTE this report and DISCUSS individual items as appropriate
ENDORSE individual items as appropriate.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 8 of 8
Annex A - Key safety reports to May 2015
* Public accidental fatalities include trespass and non-trespass, but exclude
fatalities at level crossings (which are shown separately).
RIDDOR-reportable major injuries to each person type reported in SMIS.
The majority of passenger injuries occur in stations
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
Statutorily reportable collisions (excluding roll back and open door
(RIDDOR) reportable cases only. Includes derailments at level crossings after collisions), derailments, buffer stop collisions and trains striking road
striking road vehicles. Does not include buffer stop and ‘open door’
vehicles. PHRTAs are normalised per million train miles.
collisions. Passenger low-speed collisions predominately occur at stations.
SPADs on or affecting Network Rail managed infrastructure.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
The dark blue bars refer to trains striking barriers where a previous incident
had caused the barriers to encroach onto the running line, such as a road
vehicle striking the barriers.
Page 1 of 4
1.
Summary of safety performance for April and May 2015
1.1
Fatalities
During April and May 2015 there were no workforce fatalities. There was 1 passenger fatality and 3
public accidental fatalities:




On 21 April, a trespasser was struck by a train at Hersham (Wessex) while crossing the tracks
On 25 April, a passenger alighted a train at Bodmin Parkway (Western). As it departed, he ran alongside
it and jumped to retrieve an item which he had thrown on top of the train. He contacted the train and fell
between it and the platform. Alcohol was a factor in this event
On 20 May, a trespasser was struck by a passenger train at Bamfurlong Junction (London North West)
while on the railway infrastructure
On 30 May, a member of public fell from a bridge onto the tracks at Melton Mowbray (London North East)
There were 54 suspected suicides during April and May. The average monthly figure over the past 12
months has been 25.1. Suicide figures are subject to change as more information (eg, coroners’
verdicts) is made available.
1.2
Reportable train accidents: collisions, derailments and trains striking road vehicles
There were 5 reported train accidents during April and May.





1.3
On 24 April, an empty coach stock had a low-speed collision with a passenger train at Nottingham (London
North East). There were no reported injuries
On 27 April, an empty coach stock passed a signal at danger and subsequently derailed at Cardiff Canton
Depot (Western). There were no reported injuries
On 14 May, a passenger train had a low-speed collision with another passenger train while arriving into
platform 2 at London King’s Cross (London North East). There were no reported injuries
On 14 May, a passenger train struck a tractor at Oakwood Farm user worked level crossing (London North
East). Two members of workforce suffered shock/trauma and there was one reported passenger minor
injury. The owner of the tractor also suffered from a minor injury
On 30 May, a passenger train had a low-speed collision with an unattached wagon while arriving into
platform 7 at Cambridge (Anglia). The wagon was berthed in the platform. There were six reported
passenger minor injuries
SPADs risk ranked 20+
There was 1 SPAD risk ranked 20+ during April and May 2015; there are no risk ranking forms
outstanding for April and May.
SPAD risk ranking 20 – On 3 April a passenger train passed DY506 signal at danger on the Down Main
line at Derby by approximately 394m. The driver stated the incident was due to a lack of concentration.
DY506 is a signal protecting a plain line and the distance to the conflict point where a collision could
have occurred is 440m. The signal is not protected by TPWS, and the risk ranking overrun probability
is 9 (the highest being 10). In terms of the potential consequences, should a rear-end collision have
occurred, the SPAD risk ranking consequence score was 11 (the highest being 18). This score arises
because (a) the permitted speed of the SPAD train was 75mph and the conflict train was at stand
(potential collision speed in the calculation – 37.5mph), (b) the collision would have involved two
modern passenger trains and (c) the passenger trains were both 11%-25% loaded.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 2 of 4
2.
Overseas accidents (April – June 15)
(Possible) SPAD
US: Freight derailment kills 1, injures 1 in New Mexico, 28 April 2015
At around 06:15 (local time) on 28 April 2015, a freight train struck a stationary – unoccupied – facing formation
between Midway and Dexter, New Mexico.
One member of the train crew was killed, another was taken to hospital for treatment. The National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating.
Austria: Head-on collision kills driver, injures ten at Waldstein, 6 May 2015
At 10:20 (local time) on 6 May 2015, a two passenger trains
collided head-on on the single line at Waldstein station.
One driver was killed and ten people were injured.
Early investigations suggest that the incident occurred after one
of the trains passed a signal at danger.
Environmental
US: Freight derails and falls from bridge in Baton Rouge storm, 27 April 2015
On the morning of 27 April 2015, four Union Pacific wagons derailed
and fell from the Huey P. Long Bridge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The wagons were empty and did not contain any hazardous
materials. There were no reported injuries.
Media link (includes footage of accident):
http://wqad.com/2015/04/27/incredible-video-captures-trainbeing-blown-off-elevated-bridge-during-storm-in-new-orleans/
US: Flooding blamed for Texas freight derailment, 8 May 2015
At 01:15 on 8 May 2015, 17 wagons in a container train derailed in
Cooke County, Texas.
Four members of the crew were injured.
No dangerous goods were involved.
The operator – Burlington Northern Santa Fe – said that the tracks had
been washed away by recent heavy rain, which caused the nearby
Spring Creek to overflow.
Dangerous goods
US: Freight derails in South Carolina – dangerous goods lead to evacuation, 10 April 2015
On 10 April 2015, a freight train derailed in Trenton, South Carolina. One of the wagons was carrying
ammonium nitrate, which leaked and led to the evacuation of around 30 local residents. Another wagon –
carrying anhydrous ammonia – derailed, but did not release its contents. Both ammonium nitrate and
anhydrous ammonia are generally used in fertilizers, but the former is potentially explosive.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 3 of 4
US: Oil train derails and catches fire in North Dakota, 6 May 2015
At around 07:30 (local time) on 6 May 2015, an oil train derailed in Heimdal, North Dakota, setting six wagons
ablaze. There were no reported injuries. Surrounding farms were evacuated as a precaution.
Overspeeding
US: High-speed derailment in Philadelphia kills eight, 12 May 2015
At 21:30 (local time) on 12 May 2015, an Amtrak-operated express
passenger train heading from Washington DC to New York, derailed
and rolled on to its side in the Port Richmond area of Philadelphia.
Of the 238 passengers and five crew aboard, eight were killed and
140 people were injured (six seriously).
The NTSB is investigating. It has noted that the on-train data recorder
showed driver to have applied the emergency brake when the train
reached 106 mph on the 50-mph line. However, this only brought the
speed down to 102 mph when the incident occurred.
A train control system in place along parts of the route had not been installed on the section concerned.
Level crossings
Germany: Level crossing collision kills two, injures 20, 16 May 2015
At 11:31 (local time) on 16 May 2015, a train driver and passenger were
killed and 20 were injured when a passenger train struck a trailer on a
half-barrier level crossing near Ibbenbüeren, Westphalia.
Initial reports suggest that the trailer – which was carrying manure –
became disconnected from its hauling tractor, remaining on the interface
while the latter continued its journey.
The driver tried to warn the driver of the train as it approached at 140
km/h; the emergency brake was applied but it is thought the impact still
occurred at over 100 km/h. An investigation has been launched.
RSSB Board Meeting Final: 02 July 2015
Page 4 of 4