Institution news
Ahead of Platform Train Interfaces: Safety for a growing network (5 December 2016), we spoke to Frazer Scott, TLP Systems Safety Manager at Govia Thameslink. Frazer explains his role and involvement in rail safety, engineering solutions for mitigating risk around the PTI, the next area where engineering solutions can help mitigate risk at the PTI and what he is most looking forward to by attending.
Frazer Scott, TLP Systems Safety Manager, Govia Thameslink
Frazer Scott is the Thameslink Programme (TLP) Systems Safety Manager for GTR within the TLP Project Team, leading on the safety approvals and verification under the company’s SMS for the new Class 700 train and any associated infrastructure. Over the past five years he has ensured that the new Class 700 was safely introduced into passenger service on the Thameslink route through the company’s safety validation process, including the requirement for risk evaluation and assessment against the Common Safety Method, as well as numerous platform extensions, access-for-all station improvements and significant layout changes at key London stations.
Q: Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Platform Train Interfaces?
Frazer Scott: For over five and a half years I have been the Safety Lead for GTR (previously FCC) on the Thameslink Programme. I have been involved in various phases and changes, ensuring that we have risk mitigation in place and that this has been validated prior to its introduction. A number of these changes have meant, and will mean going forward, reviewing the PTI risk and assessing any proposed mitigation measures for their impact on the safe operation of our services. The recent introduction of the new Class 700 train on our routes has required a more in-depth review of our station operations.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at Platform Train Interfaces 2016?
FS: I am looking forward to seeing some of the other work that is currently going on within the industry on risk mitigation for the PTI, and whether there's anything that we can adopt or use in our operation. The areas around passenger behaviours and dwell times is certainly pertinent to us as an operator. In terms of presenting, it's about being able to share some of the knowledge and experience that I have from the Thameslink Programme with other industry colleagues that will hopefully prove useful to them.
Q: How important are engineering solutions to mitigate risk around the PTI for the overall safety of rail passengers?
FS: Engineering solutions are important, but they form part of a wider picture in terms of PTI safety. The opportunity to explore the impact that these solutions can bring to the operation is certainly something we have been looking at, but we also need to consider the softer options around people's behaviours that can affect the interactions at the PTI. Staff interventions can also play an important part in the risk mitigation.
Q: What do you think the next biggest areas or focus for solutions around the PTI should be?
FS: From my point of view, the recent work we have been undertaking with Network Rail for improved PRM accessibility is certainly an area where an engineering solution could prove to help mitigate the PTI risk. This work has looked at gap fillers, both static and mechanical, in order to reduce the gap between train and platform edge and aid the access arrangements at stations. This work is obviously tied up with the legacy infrastructure and the increased numbers of passengers using the network.
Frazer Scott will be speaking at Platform Train Interfaces which is the only event focused on engineering solutions to mitigate risk around the PTI. Make sure you attend to take away insights into the new technologies being implemented to increase passenger safety without hindering the overall capacity of the rail network.
Running alongside Platform Train Interfaces 2016 will be a half day workshop, “Door Optimisation”, as well as an exclusive visit to PAMELA, a research platform at the heart of the UCL Transport Institute. Both events take place on 6 December and can be purchased as part of your seminar attendance package.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:
- High Speed Two discuss their plans for the passenger journey to be “Step free from street to seat”
- Hear an exclusive update from the Platform Train Interface Strategy Group (PTISG)
- Insights from PAMELA about their latest results on passenger flow studies
- Thameslink share their recent work with Network Rail on Operational Risk
- Understand how Crossrail are managing PTI, their challenges and adjusting platform heights
For further information, please visit the Platform Train Interfaces event page.