Plans developed to enhance light rail safety standards

A LIGHT rail summit was held in Manchester on January 22, to discuss how the industry will take forward action plans following the fatal Croydon tram crash that claimed the lives of seven passengers.

As well as light rail operators, the meeting was attended by representatives from RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board), the Department for Transport and Transport for London.

The accident happened on November 9 2016 ( RAIL 814).

Office of Rail and Road Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser said the meeting went well, adding that all the operators understood the priority of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s (RAIB’s) second recommendation released on December 7 ( RAIL 842).

This had stated that operators, owners and infrastructure managers should jointly conduct a systematic review of operational risks and control measures associated with the design, maintenance and operation of tramways.

The next stage is to put in place a shadow standards board which will work on developing safety standards across the industry.

ORR will sit on this board, which is expected to hold its first meeting in mid-February. Prosser said the DfT will help fund it, but that operators will also contribute. This board will enable RAIB’s Recommendation 2 to be achieved.

Prosser highlighted that a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not necessarily work, and thus a unified plan is needed that can be adapted.

He also praised the work carried out by Croydon Tramlink regarding vigilance systems.

RAIB’s fourth recommendation had been for the industry to work together to research and evaluate driver detection systems.

At the meeting on January 22, other operators were encouraged to progress with developing systems, and all confirmed they had seen the benefits from such projects.

Prosser said that there will be regular contact with RAIB throughout the year, and that the board will report back to RAIB on December 7 (the first anniversary of the report into the crash).