12.11.15
SPADs rise 30.2% in Q2
There was a 30.2% increase in signals passed at danger (SPADs) during July to September 2015, compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
During Q2 of 2015-16 there was a total of 82 SPADs recorded, up from 63 compared to the same quarter in 2014-15. It was also the highest number of SPADs since Q1 last year when 83 were recorded.
Compared to Q1, the latest figure was also up by 24% when 66 SPADs were reported.
When analysing Q2 figures against the same quarter last year, the number of SPADs in the potentially significant category has increased by 14 from 11 to 25, with the number of potentially severe incidents going down from 7 to 3. The no significant risk figure rose to 54 from 45.
The ORR added: “The overall increase was driven by the potentially significant and no significant risk categories increasing.”
The SPAD moving annual average (MAA) for Q2 has declined by 39.5% compared to the figure recorded in 2000-01, mainly due to the introduction of train protection warning systems. However, the MAA for Q2 has risen by 26.1% since 2012-13 when the lowest SPAD MAA was observed.
From 1998 to the beginning of 2002-03, the SPAD MAA never dropped below 100, and sometimes topped 150 a year. Since 2003-04, the MAA has never been above 100, and the general trend was downward until about 2009-10, since when it has veered up and down between 60 and 80.
To view the latest SPAD data, click here.