21.06.07
ORR grants Network Rail exemption for the removal of TPWS at specified permanent speed restrictions
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has granted Network Rail an exemption from the provision of the Railway Safety Regulations 1999 (RSR) concerning removal of the train protection and warning system (TPWS) at certain permanent speed restrictions (PSRs) on plain line curves.
Network Rail's application relates to some 40% of PSR sites where its analysis shows no safety benefit from TPWS fitment in terms of mitigating over-speed derailment risk.
ORR's decision to grant the exemption, which has conditions attached, follows six weeks of public consultation on the application. ORR said at the start of the consultation that, following its independent assessment of the case, it was minded to grant the exemption subject to conditions. Almost all consultees, including ASLEF, London TravelWatch, Transport for London, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers as well as other parts of industry, support the proposal.
The exemption allows Network Rail to removeTPWS fitments at those PSRs at plain line curves where the over-speed cant deficiency is less than 11.5°. That is in line with the specifications of the Railway Group Standard 5021, 'Track System Requirements'.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]