scope:

This document should apply to any resignalling scheme that has been designated a "Modular Signalling scheme" by the Professional Head [S&T] Engineering and the Head of Operations Development. Such schemes will make use of Modular Signalling principles, technology and processes which are fundamentally different from those used for a conventional resignalling scheme undertaken by Network Rail.

Purpose

This guidance document sets out the documentation and activities that should be carried out the first two stages in the development process to deploy the Modular Signalling system on a route, together with early enabling works to help meet the target of a 24-month project duration. Although the document contains guidance, the process described is approved best practice.

There is no equivalent to GRIP Stage 2 as Modular Signalling is deployed on a like-for-like basis, without providing any enhancement to the existing railway. There are no technology choices to make. As a result, there are no options to identify for evaluation in later development stages.

Other sections of the Modular Signalling Handbook set out the technical standards, constraints, components and applications which form the Modular Signalling system. In particular, the main section of the Handbook defines the constraints within which the Modular Signalling system should be applied.

Exceedance of any of the constraints is possible but should be made in the understanding that to do so will incur a cost increase possibly disproportionate to the degree of exceedance. This is due to the standardised, templated and automated processes becoming unusable by the deviation from the normal scope of supply.

This document also sets out the documentation and activities which make up the next stage in the project development process - Requirements Analysis (GRIP 3) Once deployment of the Modular Signalling system has been approved, this stage provides initial demonstrations of the new signalling arrangements for consultation with stakeholders.

It also provides further information on the route to improve the cost and programme estimates.

Templated programmes have been prepared for the various GRIP Stages.