The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is enhancing one of its toolkits to help the rail industry reduce the risk from trains passing a signal at danger (SPADs).
Originally launched in 2019, RSSB’s Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS) toolkit uses signal status and train movement data from Network Rail to gain insights into how often and where trains are approaching red signals on the network.
A SPAD occurs when a train passes a stop signal without authorisation. SPADs are one of the main precursors to train accidents and efforts in the late 1990s to mitigate the risk from them led to the introduction of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS). Where fitted, this applies a train’s emergency brake if a red signal is passed, and in some locations may also intervene if a red signal is approached at too high a speed. While TPWS has significantly reduced the safety risk arising from SPADs, such events can still cause delay and cost and can still result in serious incidents such as train collisions and derailments.
RSSB’s new RAATS toolkit will have improved functionality, linking its outputs with industry performance data and increasing its geographical coverage, so that up to 70% of the network can be analysed.
These improvements will allow users to view and investigate red signal approaches for specific train journeys and understand them in the context of relevant performance. Train operators and Network Rail can use this evidence on new timetables, changing them to reduce the likelihood of drivers approaching red signals.
Chris Knowles, RSSB’s Director of System Safety and Health said:
”Trains passing red signals without authorisation can lead to serious incidents, such as collisions or derailments and delay to passengers and freight.
“Our new tool will help Network Rail and train operators analyse specific train service and performance data and modify timetables to reduce the number of trains being scheduled to approach red signals.
“The enhanced RAATs tool will make a significant contribution to reducing SPAD risk – leading to improved safety and higher railway performance.”
RSSB’s new RAATS toolkit is expected to be launched in late spring 2025.
Image /video credit: RSSB