Control, safety, signalling and light equipment

Tender description

Network Rail is seeking suppliers to provide a warning system which will reduce the risk of our workforce beingstruck by trains whilst working on or near open lines. This is known as a signal controlled warning system — strategic (SCWS(S)). This will be awarded as a framework agreement which will consist of three phases: — Phase 1: Feasibility study and concept demonstrator, — Phase 2: Working prototype including operational trials, — Phase 3: Manufacturing and roll out. Further information can be found within the services description. Network Rail expect the first two phases to be service based and supplies delivered in phase 3. As part of the Network Rail CP5 strategic business plan and transforming safety and well-being strategy, the safer trackside working (STW) safety improvement programme was created to contribute to the elimination of fatalities and major injuries to track workers. This work is an integral part of Network Rail's Track Worker Safe Access Strategy. The STW Programme includes the design, development, testing and approval of new warning and protection systems for the UK network that will reduce the risk of the workforce being struck by trains whilst working on or near the line. The system (s) will be available for routes to deploy to promote safer working during maintenance, renewal and enhancement works. The programme includes development of a system that monitors the signalling system so that, before a train arrives at a track worker location, a warning is given of the train's approach by a unit onsite. The system is intended to be used to warn for train movements on open lines and it is not intended to be used in possessions. The system is known as signal controlled warning system — strategic (SCWS(S)). Network Rail currently has 35 delivery units (DU) with approximately 40 maintenance teams per DU. The technology solution for SCWS(S) shall support the following Strategic goals: — to reduce human error failure modes as much as possible; — support the phased out use of unassisted lookouts; — be future proof and compatible with DR architecture and interfaces; — incorporate a transmission medium to give national geographic coverage as far as possible. Key requirements of the Strategic SCWS(S) include: — generate a warning through a standard interface with the interlocking at the Route Operating Centre or Control Centre, — requires no additional trackside fixed equipment; — dynamically generate the warning of an approaching train without needing pre-designed application data for a portable line-side unit that could be located at any site; — in order to develop a SCWS(S), the programme seeks to take advantage of recent advances in technology to develop a new innovative system; — the complete technology solution shall utilise robust COTs components, developed for the railway and other industries with safety-critical requirements, where possible; — the technology solution shall include all of the necessary hardware and software components along with the system interfaces required for a functional system, together with a description of the expected operational processes at a high level. Assumptions and dependencies on the development of other systems or technologies shall be clarified during PQQ and ITT clarification periods and will be recorded on the tender submission forms by the supplier; — the technology solution shall be compliant with the Network Rail document for system definition and entitled, safer trackside working SCWS(S): system definition, (R2) and its business level requirements as set out in the following documents, safer trackside working SCWS(S) project: requirements specification [R3] and safertrackside working programme generic requirements specification (R4). Delivery of the SCWS(S) will be in three phases: — Phase 1: Feasibility study and concept demonstrator, — Phase 2: Working prototype including operational trials, — Phase 3: Manufacturing and roll out. The services description sets out the requirements for all three phases in more detail. Network Rail expect the first two phases to be service based and supplies delivered in phase 3.