Target 190plus Synthetic Environment for the Design & Test of Signalling Solutions (Phase 2 & 3)

Tender description

Network Rail (NR) requires a digital solution to develop signalling scheme designs and facilitate the integration of that design into the operational railway providing interfaces to a target signalling system. The Target 190plus Synthetic Environment (SE) is a significant Research & Development project that will define, develop and deliver capabilities that will enable efficient design, integration, testing, and validation of Future Control Command Signalling (FCCS) schemes and products. Lot 1: The railway faces a major industry challenge, where the cost and volume of future signalling renewals is unsustainable. Over the next 15 years there is a need to deliver an increase of over 50% of the signalling renewals work at half the current price to achieve a sustainable, affordable railway that can meet customer needs and expectations. Britain must have a reliable, high performing railway that’s fit for the future, delivers financial value and provides operational performance in a safe and sustainable way. To reduce costs and increase access on the railway we are creating new ways of working and introducing new technology. The use of digital technology will improve the services to freight and passenger customers, causing less delays due to signalling failure and track closures for access to complete repairs and providing the opportunity for more trains to run where needed. We’re working across Industry to build a new approach for balancing research and development and engineering solutions with the needs of end users and customers. Target 190plus is a Network Rail Research & Development (R&D) programme that looks at the sustainability of the signalling systems on the network and the challenges these bring to the rail industry. It has the aim to reduce the current whole life cost of signalling from a unit rate of £419,000 to the required £190,000 by 2029 to enable the ETCS Long Term Deployment Plan to be achieved. Synthetic Environment is 1 of 29 projects, the programme will use to reduce costs, improve services for passengers and increase safety by automating signalling design processes, standardising system architectures, implementing faster renewals planning and introducing offsite testing and validation processes. Synthetic Environment Phase 1: concerned the development of detailed requirements for the SE, completed. This procurement event will seek a suitable supplier to deliver Phase 2 and 3 of the Synthetic Environment Project: Phase 2: Development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for SE and shadow mode running Phase 3: Full SE capable of delivering all the foreseen technology and scope options for F-CCS projects Detailed requirements within the published tender documents.