Systems Integration

We support system integration

Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) supports cross-industry groups in order to facilitate the resolution of interface issues that may arise between railway industry stakeholders.

ERTMS and GSM-R

In 2005, RSSB was invited to join the cross industry European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) project led by Network Rail to develop new rules to aid the introduction of these new signalling communication technologies to the domestic railway.

The ERTMS will be mandated through the European legislative process and will create mechanisms for signalling in the train cab rather than at the trackside.

The Global System for Mobile Communications - Railways (GSM-R) will support more effective communication from cab to trackside. In both cases, specific rules will be needed to govern safe working and to ensure the systems perform well. RSSB has established a bespoke project team for this work.

System Interface Committees

Recognising the importance of managing the interfaces between railway systems, the industry agreed to form System Interface Committees (SICs). The aim of these committees is to assist the railway industry to manage all aspects of identified system interfaces in the most cost effective and efficient way. For a specific interface issue the SIC will determine solutions based on sound technical and economic evaluation and identify which is in the best interest of the industry as a whole.

Technical Strategy Advisory Group

Implementing the Rail Technical Strategy

The Department for Transport and the rail industry are working together to implement the Rail Technical Strategy (RTS). The aim of the RTS is to deliver a more cost-effective, reliable and efficient railway offering greater capacity and a better service for passengers. The Technical Strategy Advisory Group (TSAG) has been set up to develop and implement the RTS. TSAG comprises senior rail industry stakeholders, including the Chairmen of all the System Interface Committees; it is chaired by DfT, and is facilitated by RSSB. TSAG has recently produced a leaflet that summarises the Rail Technical Strategy and describes some of the initiatives under way to support it.

To view the Technical Strategy Advisory Group - Issue 1, please click the link.