Real-time running to measure train performance
NETWORK Rail plans to reduce the use of Public Performance Measure (PPM), and instead use real time running to evaluate train performance.
Chief Executive Mark Carne said that would remove padding from timetables, adding that performance would not just be recorded at train destinations, but also at intermediate stations.
NR’s Strategic Business Plan noted that while the reliability of infrastructure is the best it has ever been, the delay from each incident is increasing. It said 70% of delays are now caused by knock-on effects, rather than a primary cause. Additionally, the growth in passenger numbers causes extended station dwell times which affect train performance.
NR said there has been a reduction in the number of trains arriving on time (measured using PPM). It has started to reverse that decline, and is forecasting a 15% reduction in the number of trains that are delayed, compared with current performance. To achieve this, there must be a 7% improvement by the end of CP5 (the outstanding amount reflects the pressure created by Crossrail and Thameslink).
Speaking on February 12, NR Chief Executive Mark Carne said: “After six or seven years of declining performance, we need to turn that around. The last eight or nine periods’ performance has improved, and the aim now is to reduce delay by 15% on PPM measure. But we want to
move away from PPM. In today’s congested railway, we need righttime. “We are very clear about how we will improve. Assets will be more reliable, and they are already the most reliable they have ever been.
“Today there are 24,000 service-affecting failures. When Network Rail was born it was over 50,000. But the consequences now are much greater.”
Carne warned that redeveloping London Euston for HS2 will have an impact. There is also a demand for faster rail journeys, while dwell times are also an issue. “A lot of timetables are history. Real-time running is crucial, and dwell time is probably key to tackle.
As a result of these plans, NR needs to play a much bigger role in franchising. This was criticised by the National Audit Office in its report into the Thameslink franchise - it highlighted that NR had raised concerns about the planned timetable, but was ignored.
NR plans to create incident management teams to enable it to better respond to incidents. It also plans to improve its use of Intelligent Infrastructure (which it claims will save £118 million).
Overall, NR plans a £1.9 billion saving in renewals costs over the whole of CP6.