The Rail Technical Strategy (RTS) provides a framework to steer and accelerate change in how the railway operates. It sets out clear goals and stepping stones to improve our services today and successfully adopt the technologies we need for future train operations.

Since the last iteration of the RTS, the railway landscape has changed considerably. The scaling back of some major infrastructure projects has brought the capacity challenge into sharp focus. Hence, the need to ensure reliable and flexible train planning that maximises the capacity available is as pressing as ever. And this goes hand in hand with the need to find ways to make best use of current and future train and infrastructure capabilities.

Good, safe, and timely operational decisions on a busy mixed traffic network will increasingly rely on using all available information to keep customers moving. Trains and infrastructure are being fitted with systems that can improve the flow of information between staff, track and train. To deliver maximum value and simplify operations, the wider deployment of these systems needs to be co-ordinated.

It is essential to recognise the affordability challenge that the industry faces. So, an important test for any new solution, with its associated capital investment, should be about whether it helps to simplify operations. Another important test should be whether the solution has been driven by, and tested against a clear set of operational requirements.

Over the past 200 years, operation of the railway has continually evolved as new knowledge and technology has become available. Together with the other four priorities and the critical enablers, the refreshed Optimised Train Operations routemap will help channel effort and underpin delivery of the railway we need for our customers.

October 2024