scope:

This standard describes the assessment processes for identifying high risk sites in respect of wrong side track circuit failures under leaf fall contamination conditions, and shall be used by Route Managing Directors to enable appropriate action to be taken in accordance with GO/RT3208. In this respect, the requirements of this standard apply where track circuits are used to detect the presence of trains.

This standard also describes the assessment processes for identifying a high risk site in respect of conditions of low adhesion between the wheel and the rail, and shall be used by Route Managing Directors to enable appropriate action to be taken in accordance with GE/RT8040.

This standard contains a risk assessment process for prioritising high risk sites and deciding on actions or mitigations to reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP). It may be used by Route Managing Directors to enable appropriate action to be taken in accordance with RIS-0386-CCS.

Purpose

To establish a process to identify, risk rank and create a removal plan for any location which may be classified as a high risk site in respect of likely occurrences of wrong side track circuit failures (WSTCFs) under leaf fall contamination conditions. The removal of these high risk sites will reduce the detrimental impact to safety and performance of WSTCFs during the autumn season. This process may also be used for any location classified as a high risk site in respect of conditions of low rail adhesion between the wheel and the rail on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure. The removal of high risk sites of low rail adhesion reduces the probability of a low adhesion-related incident, such as a station overrun or signal passed at danger (SPAD), and the safety and performance impact of such an incident.