Welcome back to a new season of the RSSB Podcast. In this episode, we’re joined by RSSB Chief Executive Mark Phillips. Mark takes us through our five-year Strategic Business Plan covering 2024–2029, pulling out some of the key priorities along the way. He’s particularly excited to see how rail can leverage some of the technological and digital advancements taking place. Listen now to learn more about what we’re hoping to deliver to industry in the next few years.Related information Strategic Business Plan 2024-2029: https://www.rssb.co.uk/about-rssb/who-we-are/strategic-business-plan-2024-29

Welcome to another episode of the RSSB podcast! Today, join four members of our Executive Committee — Johnny Schute (Chief Operating Officer), Keith Hanlon-Smith (Chief People Officer), Hannah Kingsley (Chief Finance Officer), and Paul McLaughlin (Chief Commercial Officer) — as they outline industry's current challenges, discuss RSSB's priorities in addressing those, and introduce our new 'strategic multipliers'.You can find out more about our 2024–2025 Annual Business Plan at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/about-rssb/who-we-are/our-business-plan.

Joana Faustino, Work Psychologist at RSSB, talks about the feelings we might be experiencing and some coping strategies for the pressures that we are facing.01:00 Possible effects of the lockdown on your mental health.03:10 Acknowledging your emotions.04:12 How are news reports affecting you?04:55 Managing worry.07:09 Managing difficult situations.09:30 Physical and mental health working together.10:40 Keeping a routine.12:28 Getting help from others.13:30 Identifying and solving problems.15:44 Help from outside sources.16:48 How we can help others.Resources mentioned in this episode:Postpone your worry leaflet: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental%20Health%20Professionals/Generalised%20Anxiety/Generalised%20Anxiety%20-%20Information%20Sheets/Generalised%20Anxiety%20Information%20Sheet%20-%2005%20-%20Postpone%20your%20Worry.pdfPostpone your worry worksheet: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental%20Health%20Professionals/Generalised%20Anxiety/Generalised%20Anxiety%20-%20Worksheets/Generalised%20Anxiety%20Worksheet%20-%2001%20-%20Postpone%20your%20Worry.pdfProblem solving worksheet: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/ProblemSolvingWorksheet.pdfNHS How to get to sleep: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/NHS Your Mind Plan: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/Mind for better mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus-we-are-here-for-you/Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ You can find links to other related resources for the rail industry and for individuals by going to the RSSB website www.rssb.co.uk and searching for 'Covid-19' or 'mental wellbeing'.  These include other resources and articles such as:Local IAPT service : an NHS service that provides talking therapies for common mental health difficulties.The Railway Mission : The Railway Mission have set up a dedicated support mailbox for rail staff during the pandemic at COVID19@railwaymission.org.  Rail staff can also phone, text, or WhatsApp on 07903-505868.The Covid-19 Road Transport Toolkit: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/covid-19/

Trevor Parkin of East Midlands Railway and Chris Harrison of RSSB talk about what the rail industry is doing to reduce the number of signals passed at danger, and so the likelihood of a potentially fatal train accident.01:25 About Trevor Parkin.02:10 About Chris Harrison.02:35 SPADs in the 1990s and the changes made since.03:53 The Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS).06:07 Optimising the safety benefit of TPWS.07:59 The Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS) Tool.12:32 How to reduce SPAD numbers—the strategy.14:50 About the SPAD Risk Subgroup.18:05 Industry challenges for the RAATS Tool.22:03 Getting train operators to use RAATS.Resources mentioned in this episode:SPAD Good Practice Guide  https://www.rssb.co.uk/Insights-and-News/Key-Industry-Topics/SPAD-Good-Practice-Guide SPAD Risk Subgroup  https://www.rssb.co.uk/Learn-and-Connect/Groups-and-Committees/Safety/SSRG/TARG/SPAD-RSG Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS) Toolkit  https://www.rssb.co.uk/Standards-and-Safety/Tools--Resources/Rail-Risk-Toolkit/Red-Aspect-Approaches-to-Signals-ToolkitOther related resources:SPAD Risk Ranking Tool  https://www.rssb.co.uk/Standards-and-Safety/Tools--Resources/Rail-Risk-Toolkit/SPAD-Risk-Ranking-ToolSignals passed at danger – A summary of the rail industry's approach to risk reductionhttps://www.sparkrail.org/Lists/Records/DispForm.aspx?ID=26755

This podcast looks at the part that CIRAS, the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis Service, contributes to the continual improvement of safety management for the railway and other transport systems.In this episode Catherine Baker, director of CIRAS, talks about how the confidential reporting service works—the types of incidents and reasons for calls, and examples of the results that CIRAS achieves.  She also talks about what CIRAS does to maintain confidentiality, and how the service complements an organisation's existing reporting and whistleblowing systems. 00:40 About Catherine Baker.01:00 What is confidential reporting?01:58 Common barriers to raising an issue at work.02:30 Confidential reporting in practice.03:25 Sharing findings with all CIRAS members.03:45 The most commonly reported issues04:48 Why people contact CIRAS05:10 How confidential reporting differs from internal reporting or whistleblowing.06:30 How confidential reporting makes a difference.07:09 How CIRAS maintains confidentiality.08:18 The impact of Covid-19 on CIRAS reporting09:15 The future need for CIRAS10:15 Where to find out more. Resources mentioned in this episode:·    CIRAS website: https://www.ciras.org.uk/·    CIRAS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ciras/ ·    CIRAS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ciras_uk

In this episode Dougie Hill, Head of National Freight Strategy & Policy at Direct Rail Services, and Geoff Spencer, former CEO of DB Cargo (UK), talk through the challenges to get competing companies to collaborate.  Their work in the National Freight Safety Group (NFSG) has led to the Freight Integrated Plan for Safety.00:50 About Dougie Hill.01:50 About Geoff Spencer.02:45 Freight sector risk reduction in 2016.03:40 Practicalities of getting competing companies to collaborate.05:00 Engaging stakeholders and setting realistic timescales.06:50 LHSBR topics beyond derailment and early collaboration.07:25 Managing the top risk projects and some notable successes.09:25 RSSB support for NFSG as a collaborative group.10:33 What worked to create a collaborative environment.11:45 Lessons learned to implement and improve collaborationResources mentioned in this episode:National Freight Safety Group: https://www.rssb.co.uk/Learn-and-Connect/Groups-and-Committees/Safety/SSRG/NFSG The Viareggio train derailment [2009] Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viareggio_train_derailmentNew Insights into the Viareggio Railway Accident, Manca D., 2014, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 36, 13-18 DOI: 10.3303/CET1436003] https://www.aidic.it/cet/14/36/003.pdfManaging Fatigue in the Freight Sector https://www.rssb.co.uk/Insights-and-News/Key-Industry-Topics/Fatigue-and-Alertness/Common-Principles-for-Managing-Fatigue-in-the-Freight-SectorRail Freight Operations Group https://www.rssb.co.uk/Learn-and-Connect/Groups-and-Committees/Safety/SSRG/NFSG/RFOGOther related resources:Road Risk Collaboration https://www.rssb.co.uk/Standards-and-Safety/Improving-Safety-Health--Wellbeing/Enhancing-Safety-Health--Wellbeing-Through-Collaboration/Rail-Industry-Road-Risk-Resource-Centre/Road-risk-collaboarationManaging Occupational Road Risk Related to Fatigue https://www.rssb.co.uk/Insights-and-News/Key-Industry-Topics/Fatigue-and-Alertness/Fatigue-Risk-Management-Systems/Managing-occupational-road-risk-related-to-fatigue

In this podcast Sara Sherrard and Tom Moran talks about failings in customer care and the improvements implemented after Sara's mother suffered a fatal accident at Mill Hill Station.Sara Sherrard's mother, Priscilla Tropp, died following a fall down a station staircase. Tom Moran is now the MD at Thameslink and Great Northern Railways. Sara describes her experience as she learned the details of her mother's accident, treatment and what happened around the Coroner's Inquest. Tom talks about his meeting with Sara, her concerns about the serious failings in process and communication, and the improvements that, between them, they have achieved since then.01:15 About Tom Moran02:30 About Sara Sherrard, her mother and the accident at Mill Hill Broadway Station.05:18 What happened after the accident.06:46 The Coroner's Inquest and inaccessible information at the station.09:57 Sara's feelings at the reopened inquest, findings, recommendations, and inaction.12:50 GTR's response to the Coroner's Regulation 28 report—and a frustrating visit to Mill Hill.15:25 How Tom Moran learned about Sara's situation and their first meeting.18:20 Implementing PAPI, and ongoing work with Sara.21:30 Sara's work with the railway and her hopes for future improvements.Resources mentioned in this episode:The GTR PAPI aide-mèmoire: (PDF download) https://www.rssb.co.uk/-/media/Project/RSSB/RssbWebsite/Documents/Public/Public-content/Insight-and-News/Podcast/gtr-caring-for-our-customers-staff-aide-memoire.pdf

In this podcast Dr Emma Taylor, former rocket scientist and chartered mechanical engineer, talks about how the changing railway and increasing number of digital components will start to blur the lines between rolling stock and infrastructure design and build. And how it will be increasingly beneficial to have software engineers and cyber security specialists in teams.Emma has been talking to stakeholders across the rail industry about what keeps them awake at night. And it turns out to be the unknown unknowns, the gaps in knowledge and understanding about how digital components work and interact.01:20 About Dr Emma Taylor.03:38 How digital technologies will affect the rolling stock/infrastructure interface.04:40 LHSBR priority areas and the importance of digital competencies.05:17 About the Asset Integrity Group.05:58 What keeps asset managers awake at night?07:10 The need to describe whole systems as more than just their physical components.08:18 Understanding what could go wrong and why09:45 Filling the gaps with good quality information and data.11:23 Key messages for asset integrity groups.13:40 Why we need to include new experience and knowledge around the digital railway.17:01 Why it needs to be okay to say we don't know. Resources mentioned in this episode:The Asset Integrity Group https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/safety/ssrg/aig In LHSBR:Rolling Stock Asset Integrity: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity Infrastructure Asset Integrity: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity Blogs:Asset integrity – let's keep listening (Emma Taylor): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/Asset-integrity-lets-keep-listeningAsset integrity – eyes everywhere (Catherine Baker): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/Asset-integrity---eyes-everywhere Asset integrity – it’s not all in the data (Greg Morse): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/Asset-integrity---its-not-all-in-the-data Asset Integrity – Lessons from Hatfield (George Bearfield): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/asset-integrity-lessons-from-hatfield

In this first podcast about trespass, Oliver Bratton, Director Network Strategy and Operations, Louise McNally, Trespass Prevention Lead, at Network Rail, and Inspector Becky Warren, of the British Transport Police, talk about the human, safety and operational impacts of trespass on the railway.They talk about its human costs, as a result of fatalities and life-changing injuries.  On the family and friends of those whose lives are altered or taken, and on those who witness the traumatic results of trespass, be they railway staff, passengers, the public, or the police who have to deal with the aftermath.  They also talk of the additional costs and potential dangers added by the delays that trespass causes.00:46 Intoducing Inspector Becky Warren01:30 Introducing Louise McNally01:58 Introducing Oliver Bratton02:52 Why trespass happens… 04:16 …and some of its human impacts05:18 What BTP does when trespassers are seen on the railway07:53 Becky recounts the trauma of having to deal personally with the aftermath of a trespass fatality13:40 What Network Rail does when trespassers are seen on the railway… 10:00 … and the possible impacts of trespass delays11:20 Advice for drivers who see trespassers—December 2020 Rule Book changes12:25 Some recent incidents of trespass disruption14:02 Sign to make it clear where trespass begins14:45 Recent industry actions and strategy to reduce trespass16:45 The Trespass Improvement Programme18:20 Guidance on trespass risk assessment19:37 RSSB's work to support the Trespass Improvement Programme and risk assessmentResources mentioned in this episode:LHSBR Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviourThe Trespass Improvement Programme: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/trespass-improvement-programmeRSSB research project T1168 Evaluating Effectiveness of Trespass Detection and Prevention Methods: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1168 RSSB research project T1182 Industry Trespass Data Collection Requirements: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1182 Delays explained, Vandalism and trespass—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/ Railway safety campaigns, You Vs Train—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns/ You vs. Train website: http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/

In this episode Jason Alexandre of Samaritans talks about the Samaritans' partnership with Network Rail and the rail industry to reduce the number of suicides on the railway.  Customer experience manager Rizwan Javed talks about how the training gave him the confidence to intervene, and then tells the story of just one of the 29 life-saving interventions he has made.01:19 About Jason.01:57 About Rizwan.03:22 Samaritans' partnership with the rail industry.05:15 Talking numbers, and the success of interventions by railway staff.05:55 About the Managing Suicidal Contacts training programme for the rail industry.10:20 How the Managing Suicidal Contacts training got Rizwan to start a conversation.12:20 Rizwan tells the story of just one of his interventions.Whatever you’re facing, Samaritans volunteers are always there to listen, without judgement, 365 days a year—call free from any phone on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.orgRelated resources:For more information on Samaritans partnership with the rail industry and to take part in the managing suicidal contacts training, you can email railcompanies@samaritans.org.Suicide prevention key contacts: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-awareness-key-contacts Suicide prevention good practice: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-awareness-key-contacts Suicide prevention support materials: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-support-material Suicide prevention guidance: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-guidance RESTRAIL Toolbox (REduction of Suicide and Trespass on RAILway property) https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/restrail-toolbox-reduction-of-suicide-and-trespass-on-railway-property Continuing the evaluation of the national rail suicide prevention programme (T1081) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1081 Minimising the impact of suicides on railway staff (T317) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T317 Improving suicide prevention measures on the rail network in Great Britain (T845) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T845

In this episode Dr Emma Taylor talks about the 'NIS Regulations', what they mean for the industry and about what the industry needs to do to comply with the regulations. She looks at who should be concerned, and what we need to do to demonstrate compliance and avoid fines of up to £17m. What to do until we have a good body of precursors to digital incidents; and what aspects of operations should be considered as safety critical.01:44 Who should be aware of the NIS Regulations, and why.07:20 What we should be doing until we have a body of knowledge about digital safety and a have built a good set of precursor indicators.09:30 Is the railway's current definition of 'safety-critical' broad enough? And what risks can come from breaking into a 'non-safety-critical' system.Related resources:National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ Episode 6—the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/6106243 Data & Information System Interface Committee: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/technical-strategy/sic-chairs/di-sic

In this episode, Dr Emma Taylor talks about the human aspects, the culture change that will be needed to address digital safety threats.  The need for traditional design engineers to broaden their sphere of thinking, and to bring others into design conversations.  Emma also talks about the need to start thinking about reasonably foreseeable scenarios. For us all to start thinking about what could go wrong when you consider the digital components within your physical assets.ISO 61357 referred to in this episode is actually IEC 61357 ED1, a project that has now been deleted by the International Electrotechnical Committee. Standards that need to be considered will be covered in a later episode.00:36 The main barriers to developing an appropriate level of digital resilience.07:12 What Emma's experience in the Oil and Gas and Aerospace sectors tell us about what we ought to focus on to better manage digital safety risk.08:58 What the industry should be doing to identify what could go wrong.13:39 What could happen if you don't start to think about digital safety until after the incident has happened.Related resources:National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ Episode 6—the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/6106243 Data & Information System Interface Committee: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/technical-strategy/sic-chairs/di-sic

In this second podcast about trespass, Walt Cartwright, of DB Cargo UK, and Simon Martin, Route Crime Manager at Network Rail, talk about the practical sides of assessing trespass risk and putting prevention measures in place.Walt talks about the benefits of the new guide and the consistency it can bring to understanding how to assess trespass risk. How it will increase understanding of how to judge when that risk has been reduced to 'as low as reasonably practicable'. Simon talk about the reasons for trespass, particularly around stations, and about the results from a trial of higher fencing.01:10 About Walt Cartwright.01:45 About Simon Martin.02:12 Why Walt is passionate about reducing trespass.03:12 The benefits of the new guide to trespass risk assessment.04:48 How the new guide should improve understanding of what 'as low as reasonably practicable' looks like.06:26 Why there's lots of trespass at or near stations; and what Network Rail is doing to reduce it.09:12 The results of a trial with higher fencing at a specific location.Resources mentioned in this episode:LHSBR Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviourThe Trespass Improvement Programme: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/trespass-improvement-programmeRSSB research project T1168 Evaluating Effectiveness of Trespass Detection and Prevention Methods: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1168 RSSB research project T1182 Industry Trespass Data Collection Requirements: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1182 Delays explained, Vandalism and trespass—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/ Railway safety campaigns, You Vs Train—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns/ You vs. Train website: http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/

In this third podcast about trespass, David Whitmarsh, acting Principal Inspector of Railways for Scotland, talks about the ORR's expectations of the industry when it comes to trespass prevention.He talks about why the ORR might decide to prosecute a railway company rather than the trespasser, and how the level of fines is calculated by the courts. What the ORR would consider to be 'good and sufficient [fences] for today's railway'; and how the new guidance on trespass risk assessment will help railway companies know whether they might be meeting those expectations.01:10 About David Whitmarsh.01:55 Why the ORR might prosecute a railway undertaking, rather than the trespasser.03:06 When BTP would prosecute the trespasser.03:48 How fines are decided by the courts.05:10 What constitutes 'good and sufficient fences', and the regulations that determine what good and sufficient looks like today.07:20 David's view of the new good practice guide on trespass risk assessment and how companies may get it wrong.09:13 The new guidance as a means to help improve efforts to assess, manage, and mitigate trespass risk.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/553/contents/made Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3) [amended 2020] https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 Other related resources:Railway safety miscellaneous provisions [HSE guidance, PDF download] https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/om/guidance-on-railway-safety-regulations-1997.pdf LHSBR Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviourThe Trespass Improvement Programme: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/trespass-improvement-programmeRSSB research project T1168 Evaluating Effectiveness of Trespass Detection and Prevention Methods: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1168 RSSB research project T1182 Industry Trespass Data Collection Requirements: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1182 Delays explained, Vandalism and trespass—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/ Railway safety campaigns, You Vs Train—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns/ You vs. Train website: http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/

In this fourth podcast about the impact of software failures on railway asset safety Dr Emma Taylor talks about the causes of the Cambrian Line Incident. Failures both of the software system and of the processes during development, testing and implementation. Also, about the industry's response to recommendation 3 in the RAIB report on the incident.01:04 The Cambrian Line Incident described.01:52 How the European Rail Traffic Management System works and what went wrong.03:39 How this failure could have been foreseen, what led to it, and how it affected the signalling system.05:41 The RAIB recommendation about safety learning and what didn't happen that should.07:30 The importance of reporting system faults, however small they may seem.08:47 How you can tell if the software you are using is complex or not.10:10 How we need to change our way of thinking about systems that include software.11:45 How compliance with standards and processes may not show everything that might go wrong.12:20 Why we all need to learn a bit of a new language.13:15 What the industry is doing to address these issues.Resources mentioned in this episode:Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line, 20 October 2017: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-17-2019-loss-of-safety-critical-signalling-data-on-the-cambrian-coast-line The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 Other related resources:LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity

In this fifth podcast about the impact of software failures on railway asset safety, Dr Emma Taylor talks about the causes behind an accident that happened during testing on a city metro system. Checks from the V-model that should have been applied during the development, testing and implementation of the complex, software-based system.02:04 Using the V-model to verify and validate the integrity of safety-critical software systems.03:10 The signalling failure incident and the major changes that were being tested.04:43 The system definition step in the V-model—opinion on some assumptions made about the dependability of the core software.05:16 Latent software faults.05:50 Risk assessment, identifying hazards, and designing software systems to avoid them.07:25 Some personal thoughts on why a data synchronization issue might have been missed.08:15 The practical stages of software development, system requirements, and recording  design changes.09:20 Failure of data copying between systems, and related process documentation.10:22 The testing part of manufacture—verification and validation throughout the lifecycle.11:38 The role of third-party, independent assessors in the development process. Resources mentioned in this episode:The V-model on Geeks for Geeks.org: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-sdlc-v-model/ The V-model for humans on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Model_(software_development) Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line, 20 October 2017: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-17-2019-loss-of-safety-critical-signalling-data-on-the-cambrian-coast-line The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 Other related resources:LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity

In this sixth podcast about software failures in safety-critical systems, Dr Emma Taylor talks about an incident that happened in 2014 during normal working of the National Air Traffic System. We look at what went wrong, and how good recording and documentation at each stage in the V-model allowed a complete shutdown of the air traffic control system for southern England to be quickly reinstated—without any harm to the thousands of passengers in the air.02:05 The incident and its impact on passengers; and what the railway can learn from it.04:20 What's coming for the railway as it introduces more and more digital parts.04:43 The system definition step in the V-model, and assumptions made about the core software.07:15 Why the latent software fault wasn't found; the failure, and safety hazard categorisation.09:20 How good documentation and work logs narrowed the search for the faulty line of code.10:51 Specifying the ability of a complex software-based system to log changes and faults.11:39 The recommendations from the NATS report that will help find the 'needle in the haystack'.14:04 The need to manage software quality in the supply chain.15:12 Don't ask suppliers deliver beyond their capabilities.16:44 Retaining development information, auditing the evidence, verifying processes, and formal error management systems.Resources mentioned in this episode:NATS System Failure 12 December 2014 – Final Report, Independent Enquiry https://www.nats.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Independent-Enquiry-Final-Report-2.0.pdf Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line, 20 October 2017: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-17-2019-loss-of-safety-critical-signalling-data-on-the-cambrian-coast-line The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 The V-model on Geeks for Geeks.org: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-sdlc-v-model/ The V-model for humans on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Model_(software_development)  Other related resources:LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity

In this episode I talk with RSSB's recently appointed Director for Sustainable Development, George Davies, about his vision for a new Rail Sustainability Strategy. He also talks about his plans for how to collaborate with industry colleagues to agree, implement, and communicate the strategy and the progress it achieves.00:55 The broad scope of sustainability, its definition, and its primary elements.02:59 How Sir David Attenborough ignited his passion for the environment.04:19 Pandemics as a result of human activity, and the climate emergency.05:42 Transitioning from aviation to the railway and the issues to be addressed.08:22 Rail's challenges for sustainability—hydrogen and battery power.09:53 Delivering social benefit, and getting freight off the roads.11:36 Rail's strategic objectives, and defining the Sustainable Rail Strategy.14:34 How to set out 'flagship industry goals' on carbon, air quality, social impact, and biodiversity; and their route maps.16:27 The mission to demystify sustainability and make it an accessible topic.17:43 Engaging with industry groups and sectors to achieve the strategy's goals.19:25 The need to engage with rolling stock owners and leasing companies.20:24 Working with central and devolved governments, and with charitable organisations.Resources mentioned in this episode:Online explanations of a 'stranded asset' in an environmental context:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranded_asset#:~:text=In%20the%20context%20of%20upstream,as%20a%20result%20of%20changes London School of Economics – Grantham Institute: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-are-stranded-assets/ Carbon Tracker: https://carbontracker.org/terms/stranded-assets/ Other related resources:The RSSB Sustainability web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability The RSSB Decarbonisation web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability/decarbonisation

In this seventh and final episode about software failures in safety-critical systems, Dr Emma Taylor talks about a number of incidents, from the railway, a medical incident and aircraft.  To encourage you to be creative when you start to think about reasonably foreseeable scenarios—what could possibly go wrong with your complex software-based system.  And what you can do to help design out errors before they cause an incident.01:42 How to look beyond railway-specific risk analysis to find reasonably foreseeable scenarios02:48 We must look to the past to see what could happen in the future, and the importance of using your own scenarios03:37 Soncepts to help you start your own thinking processes04:36 Common themes, and considerations relevant to software09:20 Old hardware and software issues—why you should report and record faults08:24 Looking at other sectors and industries for learning12:03 How to carry out an effective risk assessment for digital systems13:18 The consequences of a 2019 software patch, for Class 7XX trains15:40 You don't need to ask complex questions15:59 The software patch on the 737-8 Max aircraft that led to hundreds of fatalities16:43 Software and cyber security—who do you want to let into your house?Resources in this episode:Article on the Maersk malware incident https://www.i-cio.com/management/insight/item/maersk-springing-back-from-a-catastrophic-cyber-attack How the Boeing 737 Max Disaster Looks to a Software Developer (a personal view) https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/aviation/how-the-boeing-737-max-disaster-looks-to-a-software-developer Federal Aviation Authority Updates on Boeing 737 MAX https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=93206 Federal Aviation Authority—Boeing 737 MAX Reading Room https://www.faa.gov/foia/electronic_reading_room/boeing_reading_room/ Boeing's own 737 MAX Updates web page—with links to the plane's validation process: https://www.boeing.com/737-max-updates/ ORR: Report following railway power disruption on 9 Aug 2019https://www.orr.gov.uk/media/10752/download  Related resources:LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 The V-model on Geeks for Geeks.org: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-sdlc-v-model/ The V-model for humans on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Model_(software_development)

This episode looks at how the RSSB Horizon Scanning programme has identified issues and helped companies make the best possible decisions around the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a vaccination programme well under way, Claire Shooter talks about the support that has been delivered, and how to deal with the uncertainty of the future. 00:46 About Claire and how she puts her previous experience to good use.01:44 What Horizon Scanning means at RSSB and how it supports the industry.03:17 The uncertainties that Covid-19 still holds for the industry.04:30 The impact of changing lockdown restrictions.05:55 How horizon scanning helps us spot trends and what we can do with that information.06:48 How horizon scanning has been drawn in to much shorter time lines and why.07:27 What horizon scanning has given to industry, and how it will continue.08:09 How to deal with uncertainty when trying to plan for the next three months.Resources mentioned in this episode:Rail Biosafety Horizon Scanning Programme https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/horizon-scanning/biosafety  Related resources:Covid-19 supporthttps://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/the-coronavirus-pandemic-how-we-can-help-you Horizon Scanning at RSSB https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/horizon-scanning/horizon-scanning-at-rssb