01.03.07
Network Rail increasing level crossing safety with new risk model
Network Rail can now predict risk at all types of level crossings in the UK, enabling better informed decision making through the deployment of ALCRM (all level crossing risk model) from Strategic Thought.
Network Rail took over the railway network in October 2002 and now runs, maintains and develops Britain’s tracks, signalling system, rail bridges, tunnels, viaducts and 17 key stations. In addition Network Rail is responsible for the 7,600 level crossings both on public and private land that cut across the UK railway network.
Network Rail wanted a single central systemised model to predict risk at all types of level crossings to allow data analysis and review. With information collected on-site at each crossing held in a central data repository the new model would form a framework for management decision making. This would allow resources to be allocated effectively by identifying where they would make the most difference based on the level of risk involved.
Prior to the new ALCRM system from Strategic Thought, there was a model that predicted the risk at protected public road level crossings. There are 12 different types of level crossing ranging from manually controlled gate crossings to footpath crossings which may even be on private land and restricted to authorised users. However, safety is just as important at each and every crossing. Level crossings are safe if used correctly and Network Rail works hard to maintain level crossings so they are safe and work as they are meant to.
Network Rail went through a selection process with a number of potential partners for the ALCRM project and selected IBM premier business partner, Strategic Thought, to build the system. From the outset, Strategic Thought showed its ability in the area of risk. It already had its own enterprise risk management product - Active Risk Manager. Strategic Thought was also able to illustrate what it was technically capable of, the costs involved and present an excellent attitude to the project. The people at Strategic Thought showed they understood what was required and were able to explain what was needed to take a complicated functional specification, an aim and an aspiration and deliver a practical working system.
The objectives were to have a web-based integrated model available through Network Rail’s information management network allowing varying degrees of user access. The system models the predicted risk at level crossings using the algorithms and functional specification developed by Arthur D. Little for the Rail Safety Standards Board and the rail industry. All the objectives were completed by Strategic Thought and the system is now being used.
A good example of how ALCRM has helped to improve analysis and decision making is that the system now provides the central plank for a revised risk management process. The new process has been developed and implemented to provide decision support information to the business for the management of risk at level crossings. Management can now make consistent decisions throughout the business based on a common set of criteria.
Line managers are confident that they are reacting promptly and for the right reasons. Decisions are based on data collected in the field rather than on which local action group is shouting the loudest. The main aim is the safety of level crossings and allocating resources to those crossings where there is a higher level of risk means that more accidents can be avoided.
The overall project budget was £730,000 and Strategic Thought formed part of the virtual ALCRM project team. The implementation of ALCRM was very much a team effort between Strategic Thought, Arthur D. Little, Network Rail’s information management team and its business managers/end users. Teamwork between partners worked well and helped to bring the project in under budget and within the originally planned timeframe. The first phase of the project delivered the base model and the second phase included a number of changes identified as the model developed.
ALCRM is an entirely web based system and was deployed on IBM WebSphere application server v6.0, running on a Unix platform and the database used is Oracle 9.2.0.4.
Strategic Thought worked well as part of the virtual ALCRM team. The company’s technical input and ability to codify a detailed and sophisticated functional specification into the software and a responsive attitude to dealing with change has meant the project has been delivered on time and budget. The people at Strategic Thought worked closely with the Network Rail team and produced a useable and readable user guide that has been well received while training end users.
A support contract is now in place with Strategic Thought and regular ALCRM project team meetings will continue for some time to come.
Through working together, Network Rail, Arthur D. Little and Strategic Thought are making UK level crossings even safer.
Network Rail can now predict risk at all types of level crossings in the UK, enabling better informed decision making through the deployment of ALCRM (all level crossing risk model) from Strategic Thought.
Network Rail took over the railway network in October 2002 and now runs, maintains and develops Britain’s tracks, signalling system, rail bridges, tunnels, viaducts and 17 key stations. In addition Network Rail is responsible for the 7,600 level crossings both on public and private land that cut across the UK railway network.
Network Rail wanted a single central systemised model to predict risk at all types of level crossings to allow data analysis and review. With information collected on-site at each crossing held in a central data repository the new model would form a framework for management decision making. This would allow resources to be allocated effectively by identifying where they would make the most difference based on the level of risk involved.
Prior to the new ALCRM system from Strategic Thought, there was a model that predicted the risk at protected public road level crossings. There are 12 different types of level crossing ranging from manually controlled gate crossings to footpath crossings which may even be on private land and restricted to authorised users. However, safety is just as important at each and every crossing. Level crossings are safe if used correctly and Network Rail works hard to maintain level crossings so they are safe and work as they are meant to.
Network Rail went through a selection process with a number of potential partners for the ALCRM project and selected IBM premier business partner, Strategic Thought, to build the system. From the outset, Strategic Thought showed its ability in the area of risk. It already had its own enterprise risk management product - Active Risk Manager. Strategic Thought was also able to illustrate what it was technically capable of, the costs involved and present an excellent attitude to the project. The people at Strategic Thought showed they understood what was required and were able to explain what was needed to take a complicated functional specification, an aim and an aspiration and deliver a practical working system.
The objectives were to have a web-based integrated model available through Network Rail’s information management network allowing varying degrees of user access. The system models the predicted risk at level crossings using the algorithms and functional specification developed by Arthur D. Little for the Rail Safety Standards Board and the rail industry. All the objectives were completed by Strategic Thought and the system is now being used.
A good example of how ALCRM has helped to improve analysis and decision making is that the system now provides the central plank for a revised risk management process. The new process has been developed and implemented to provide decision support information to the business for the management of risk at level crossings. Management can now make consistent decisions throughout the business based on a common set of criteria.
Line managers are confident that they are reacting promptly and for the right reasons. Decisions are based on data collected in the field rather than on which local action group is shouting the loudest. The main aim is the safety of level crossings and allocating resources to those crossings where there is a higher level of risk means that more accidents can be avoided.
The overall project budget was £730,000 and Strategic Thought formed part of the virtual ALCRM project team. The implementation of ALCRM was very much a team effort between Strategic Thought, Arthur D. Little, Network Rail’s information management team and its business managers/end users. Teamwork between partners worked well and helped to bring the project in under budget and within the originally planned timeframe. The first phase of the project delivered the base model and the second phase included a number of changes identified as the model developed.
ALCRM is an entirely web based system and was deployed on IBM WebSphere application server v6.0, running on a Unix platform and the database used is Oracle 9.2.0.4.
Strategic Thought worked well as part of the virtual ALCRM team. The company’s technical input and ability to codify a detailed and sophisticated functional specification into the software and a responsive attitude to dealing with change has meant the project has been delivered on time and budget. The people at Strategic Thought worked closely with the Network Rail team and produced a useable and readable user guide that has been well received while training end users.
A support contract is now in place with Strategic Thought and regular ALCRM project team meetings will continue for some time to come.
Through working together, Network Rail, Arthur D. Little and Strategic Thought are making UK level crossings even safer.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]