V/T SIC
Vehicle/Track
System Interface Committee
Vehicle/Track SIC
Remit
Issue (02) 01 June 2011
1
Introduction
1.1 System Interface Committees shall be comprised of Members, who shall consist of
representatives of the Industry Categories, a Chair, Participants and Observers
1.2 The Vehicle/Track SIC (V/T SIC) was established to provide the focus for the interface
between the vehicle wheel and the rail and between the vehicle and track interaction.
1.3 This document outlines the remit for V/T SIC to undertake its business, including its Purpose,
Objectives, Scope, Specific Actions and Structure.
2
Purpose of the SIC
2.1 The purpose of the Vehicle/Track System Interface Committee shall be to assist the Railway
Industry to manage all aspects of the vehicle / track system interfaces in a safe, cost
effective and efficient way
2.2 The scope of the V/T SIC includes relevant aspects of human factors, managerial, and
process issues as well as technical engineering matters.
3
Objectives of SIC
V/T SIC will aim to:
Define the geometry condition of the wheel/rail interface.
Set out permitted track geometry ie. Curve radius, installed cant, vertical curvature etc.
Define the permitted track conditions for the type of track eg. Mainline.
Identify the allowable wheelset parameters, ie. gauge, conicity, profile, axle load for the
trains that operate on the network.
Maintain the wheel/rail interface within the prescribed limits and ensure safety of the
railway.
Implement processes to ensure sustainability of the railway.
Ensure systems exist for seasonal maintenance activities and revised to account for
seasonal variation
Utilise systems to monitor the condition at the wheel/rail interface. Data collected by these
systems is to be analysed and distributed to the appropriate party for the monitoring of
performance and programme rectification activities.
3.1 V/T SIC will sponsor Research & Development projects relevant to its scope, through acting
as client for projects managed within the RSSB R&D programme. The aim of this research is
to provide the knowledge and information necessary to support key decisions made by the
SIC and advice given by it to the industry.
3.2 The Committee will review relevant research and work undertaken by other groups (outside
its Working Groups) and decide if it should promote that work within the industry.
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V/T SIC
Vehicle/Track
System Interface Committee
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Membership of SIC
4.1 The current membership of the committee will comprise of representation from:
Passenger train operators
ROSCOs
Non-passenger operators
Infrastructure managers
Infrastructure contractors
ORR
DfT
Suppliers
RSSB
4.2 Supporting technical and operational expertise will be invited as and when required.
5
Disclosure of Interests
5.1 Disclosure of Interest applies to both SIC and Sub Groups alike and Issue 4 of the SIC
Protocol, section 6.4 states:
5.2 If a member, or a person for whom that member works, has a direct or indirect personal
interest in a matter to be discussed by the committee, as distinct from a common interest of
the industry category as a whole, the member shall declare that interest to the Chairman of
the committee of which they are a member at the earliest opportunity:
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a)
On the first occasion at which the matter is discussed, or
b)
If a member is not aware of an interest at that time, at the next committee meeting after
which they become aware of that interest, regardless of whether the matter is being
discussed at that meeting.
Specialist Skills and Knowledge
6.1 The SIC will review members' skills and experience to ensure the SIC scope of work and
objectives are suitably achieved.
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SIC Funding and Budget Management
7.1 Representation by the stakeholders on the V/T SIC shall be in kind.
7.2 Funding for specific packages of research and development will be made available from
RSSB subject to support from the System Interface Committee and authorisation by RSSB
8
Process to elect and appoint new members / chairpersons
8.1 The V/T SIC shall follow the election process for new members or a new chairperson as set
out in SIC Protocol Issue 4.
9
Organisation / Operation of Meetings
9.1 The V/T SIC may regulate its proceedings as it sees fit providing they meet the objectives of
this remit.
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V/T SIC
Vehicle/Track
System Interface Committee
9.2 Unless otherwise decided by the V/T SIC, it shall meet at least once every four to six weeks.
9.3 Where applicable, the V/T SIC shall form a separate sub group to review and report on
specific issues. The Sub Group will be the forum for the discussion and identification of
issues and system enhancements relevant to the remit of the group and the subsequent
development of work streams to identify appropriate solutions suitable that can be
recommended to the V/T SIC.
9.4 The meeting frequency will be decided at the discretion of the sub-group chairman and the
requirements of the SIC.
9.5 The meeting will operate to a pre-agreed agenda.
9.6 If there are insufficient agenda items to be discussed at any single meeting the Chairman
will, with consultation, cancel the meeting with a minimum of five working day’s notice.
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Meeting Quorum
10.1 A meeting quorum comprises 5 members (in accordance with Section 4.1) or their nominated
alternates. If a meeting is not quorate, decisions will be taken in agreement with Section
11.1.1 of this remit.
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Delegation of Authority
11.1 Decision Making
11.1.1
If the meeting is not quorate absent members will have two weeks after the meeting
to make an objection to any decision taken in the meeting. If no objections are
made the decision will stand.
11.2 Reporting
11.2.1
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The V/T SIC will submit an annual report to TSLG.
Administration
12.1 Minutes
12.1.1
Draft minutes will be reviewed by the RSSB Technical Expert, RSSB Research and
Development Member and then by the Chair before distribution to the group.
12.1.2
The draft minutes will be distributed to the group via group email.
12.1.3
The draft minutes of each meeting will be approved at the following meeting.
12.1.4
The final approved minutes of each meeting will be distributed to the group via
group email.
12.2 Meeting Documentation
12.2.1
The meeting documentation will be provided to the group no later than five working
days prior to the meeting.
12.2.2
The meeting documentation will be distributed to the group via group email.
12.3 Remit Review
12.3.1
This remit shall be reviewed by the V/T SIC every two years.
12.3.2
Any amendments shall be endorsed by the V/T SIC.
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