I’m very pleased to co-sponsor this refreshed priority alongside Martin Jones.

We both welcome the direction of travel towards greater ‘vertical integration’ with track and train coming closer together. This makes it easier to take a whole system approach when looking at how to best achieve our common objective of delivering for customers.

Closer integration between infrastructure and rolling stock, offers a clear opportunity to gather greater and better intelligence on both fixed and mobile assets using in-service trains – allowing for more timely intervention and a reduced need for dedicated monitoring/diagnostic services.

With this increased understanding of both the current state of our assets, and their anticipated degradation profile, we can optimise interventions – striving for approaches that are less intrusive, less disruptive and significantly more cost effective without compromising safety. Resulting in more predictable, reliable service provision and lowering the cost and carbon of operating the railway.

The pressures on the UK public finance will challenge the level of capital investment available to rail over the coming years. In this context, we need to make the most of the existing network – and this is where the efficient and reliable assets, and optimised train operations priorities come together.

From a rolling stock perspective, speeding up the introduction of new assets and improving the management of digital component, from obsolescence to cyber threats, are key. New technologies, such as synthetic testing environments, are important stepping stones captured in the RTS. In addition, the strategy identifies the core role of people’s skills and passion to successfully drive change and innovation through the whole life cycle.

From the first iteration of the RTS in 2007, I am proud to have championed the strategy in a variety of roles. Currently, on behalf of the operator community, as chair of both the Sustainable Rail Leadership Group, and the Vehicle/ Train Control & Communications System Interface Committee, I look forward to working with Martin and industry colleagues to drive technical progress towards a more efficient and reliable railway.

October 2024