Managing Low Adhesion Sixth Edition, January 2018
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Managing Low Adhesion Sixth Edition, January 2018 AWG Manual, Sixth Edition, January 2018 Page 1 of 351 Foreword Managing Low Adhesion About AWG Contents 1 Introduction 2 Low adhesion Foreword 3 Operational measures 4 Infrastructure measures Welcome to the sixth edition of the Adhesion Working Group’s low adhesion manual. I commend 5 Rolling stock measures this manual to all as the repository of our corporate knowledge on understanding and managing 6 Train detection measures low adhesion. Although not a ‘standard’, this manual is our mechanism for documenting and 7 Abbreviations communicating the best practices used in Britain to combat the effects of low adhesion on the 8 Glossary mainline railway. 9 Bibliography A1 Summary of preparations We know that the manual is used by a diverse community to help improve safety and performance A2 Solutions during low adhesion conditions, thereby improving customer experience. For example: A3 Vegetation management Network Rail’s Seasons Delivery Specialists in preparing for autumn; A4 Troublesome tree chart Train Operator Driver Standards Managers and Fleet Engineers to inform their training, processes and standards; A5 Tree matrix Train Operator and Network Rail Operations Controllers and other front-line staff in responding to low adhesion A6 Ideas compendium incidents; A7 Template press pack A8 Sources of contamination joint performance teams in Network Rail and the Train Operators who develop and manage performance plans A9 Autumn investigations using, for example, delay data; A10 Key recommendations suppliers of products, chemicals, and services to the industry, to improve understanding in the supply chain. This edition of the manual has been brought up-to-date with key findings from investigations and R&D that have taken place since it was last issued in 2013. We have also sought to make the structure more logical and make it more accessible by moving some of the detail into the appendices; rendering the whole in a format that makes it more suitable for modern communication methods like the internet. Like my predecessors at the helm of AWG, I welcome the enthusiasm of many people from various parts of the industry who have contributed either directly or indirectly to this manual; without whose help the detail and thoroughness would be lacking. I would, in particular, like to thank AWG’s editorial sub-group led by Peter McCreery who were responsible for this update. Issue 6, January 2018 © Rail Delivery Group 2018 AWG Manual, Sixth Edition, January 2018 Page 2 of 351 Foreword Managing Low Adhesion About AWG Contents 1 Introduction I would also like to pay tribute to all who take time out of their busy day jobs to serve on AWG and to the previous 2 Low adhesion chairs: Mark Hopwood and, before him, Adrian Shooter. Through all their work, the industry continues to recognise 3 Operational measures the value of the group as a ‘centre of knowledge and excellence’ for low adhesion. 4 Infrastructure measures Notwithstanding the very significant efforts by those at the sharp end of our industry doing their bit to deliver the 5 Rolling stock measures service in all situations, not just in low adhesion, the achievements of AWG are best demonstrated by the graph 6 Train detection measures 7 Abbreviations below. 8 Glossary There are a number of ways in which we measure the impact of low adhesion, all of which are found in this manual, 9 Bibliography but perhaps the one that impacts are customers most are the train delays that ensue. Much good work has been A1 Summary of preparations accomplished in the past 15 years and the chart below shows how delays due to low adhesion have halved. However, A2 Solutions there can be no complacency because we still see bad years such as 2013 and the short leaf fall period still produces A3 Vegetation management disproportionate delays. A4 Troublesome tree chart A5 Tree matrix A6 Ideas compendium A7 Template press pack A8 Sources of contamination A9 Autumn investigations A10 Key recommendations Issue 6, January 2018 © Rail Delivery Group 2018 AWG Manual, Sixth Edition, January 2018 Page 3 of 351 Foreword Managing Low Adhesion About AWG Contents 1 Introduction Please take a little time to read through this manual. By understanding the issues and adopting some of the good 2 Low adhesion practice described, hopefully we can all contribute to managing the effects of low adhesion better and help to run a 3 Operational measures normal timetable safely and punctually during the autumn. Suggestions on how we can improve our management of 4 Infrastructure measures low adhesion conditions can be submitted to AWG via your AWG representative. 5 Rolling stock measures 6 Train detection measures 7 Abbreviations John Edgley 8 Glossary Chair, Adhesion Working Group 9 Bibliography Chief Track and Lineside Engineer, Network Rail A1 Summary of preparations January 2018 A2 Solutions A3 Vegetation management A4 Troublesome tree chart A5 Tree matrix A6 Ideas compendium A7 Template press pack A8 Sources of contamination A9 Autumn investigations A10 Key recommendations Issue 6, January 2018 © Rail Delivery Group 2018 AWG Manual, Sixth Edition, January 2018 Page 4 of 351 Foreword Managing Low Adhesion About AWG Contents 1 Introduction About the Adhesion Working Group 2 Low adhesion 3 Operational measures The Adhesion Working Group (AWG) a cross-industry focus group formed in 1995 with the sole objective of 4 Infrastructure measures researching and developing initiatives to combat the effects of low wheel / rail adhesion, and promoting awareness of 5 Rolling stock measures the low adhesion issue within the industry and key stakeholders. 6 Train detection measures 7 Abbreviations AWG’s remit is to: 8 Glossary facilitate industry wide management of adhesion issues in the most effective 9 Bibliography and efficient way; A1 Summary of preparations lead the industry in managing safety and performance KPIs associated with A2 Solutions A3 Vegetation management low adhesion issues in the most effective and efficient way; A4 Troublesome tree chart assist the industry in managing leaf fall related wrong side track circuit failure A5 Tree matrix issues; A6 Ideas compendium identify and publish best practice methods and techniques for managing A7 Template press pack adhesion issues (including international best practices and opportunities for A8 Sources of contamination international co-operation); A9 Autumn investigations identify requirements for research into railway operational adhesion issues A10 Key recommendations and help develop business cases to support such research; work with other industry bodies to ensure that adhesion issues remain high profile within the industry. AWG is charted to National Task Force (NTF), and has close links with the industry’s strategic Adhesion Research Group (ARG); the industry sponsor for adhesion related research proposals to RSSB. AWG focuses on the more immediate needs of train operators, while longer-term, blue sky research and development is managed by ARG, with appropriate input from AWG. Stakeholder communication lies at the heart of AWG activities. As well as developing new concepts and processes, the group stimulates the sharing of information through this manual and the ‘Right Track’ newsletter. Rail industry Issue 6, January 2018 © Rail Delivery Group 2018 AWG Manual, Sixth Edition, January 2018 Page 5 of 351 Foreword Managing Low Adhesion About AWG Contents 1 Introduction companies at home or abroad can access this manual online and much of the supporting background material 2 Low adhesion through RSSB’s SPARK portal. 3 Operational measures AWG’s output will be measured by 4 Infrastructure measures National Task Force (NTF); clear 5 Rolling stock measures criteria and measures will be 6 Train detection measures 7 Abbreviations developed and agreed for key AWG 8 Glossary workstreams and projects. The chair 9 Bibliography of AWG will regularly report on A1 Summary of preparations progress to NTF and will, on behalf A2 Solutions of AWG, take their guidance on A3 Vegetation management future direction and focus. A4 Troublesome tree chart A5 Tree matrix AWG’s relationship to other industry A6 Ideas compendium groups and its reporting line to NTF A7 Template press pack can be seen adjacent. A8 Sources of contamination Disclaimer A9 Autumn investigations A10 Key recommendations Throughout this manual there are references and details of products, services and companies relevant to adhesion matters. Any references to these does not imply that AWG endorses the product, service or company, and other products, services and companies may exist offering similar or improved products or services. However, it represents our best knowledge at this point in time (January 2018) which will continue to expand and be reported on as new solutions are developed. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual, it is published without responsibility on the part of its authors or AWG for loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining from action as a result of any information which it contains. No information within this manual should be considered as modifying or replacing legal duties, national standards, Issue 6, January 2018 operating rules or company policies and procedures. © Rail Delivery Group 2018 AWG Manual, Sixth Edition, January 2018 Page 6 of 351 Foreword Managing Low Adhesion About AWG Contents 1 Introduction Contents 2 Low adhesion 3 Operational measures Foreword 2 4 Infrastructure measures 69 6.3