Rule Implementation Group
Rule Book change - A New Approach
Rules have been used to help control operational risk on the railway for over 170 years. During this time the rules have evolved gradually as new technology is implemented and as we learn from our experience of maintaining the railway. The New Approach represents the next major evolution in the history of the Rule Book and is the biggest comprehensive review of the rules since the current modular Rule Book was introduced in 2003.
Under the leadership of RSSB the industry has embarked upon an ambitious project to transform the content and presentation of the rules currently published in the Rule Book (GE/RT8000). The project will systematically review and revise all 48 modules that make up the Rule Book and is scheduled to take four years.
Aims of the New Approach
The objectives of rationalisation and restructuring are to:
Reduce rules based errors, violations and misapplication
Enable end users to exercise greater judgement and discretion in resolving operational issues
Reduce the need for and the costs of future rules changes; and
Support industry goals for competence management and performance improvement.
Why change?
The current Rule Book has evolved over time and is in better shape then previous versions but there is always room for improvement. Using our experience we plan to improve this document and bring it inline with technological and organisational changes within the industry.
The New Approach has been established to tackle these issues which are reflected in the following comments expressed by a range of people in the industry:
“The rules no longer let you think”
“The rules are too complicated”
“The rules are not suitable for today’s railway”
“The volume of instructions issued exceeds what the average person can mentally retain”
“The rules are becoming encrusted with bullet points”
“The rules do not clearly explain the inter-relationship between the arrangements and roles defined in the different modules”
“There are now too many rules”.