Q: Could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?
Zoe Boreham (ZB): As a WCE Senior Expert for Gauge for Alstom, my role is to keep up to date with developments in gauging and integrate these into Alstom gauging process. I am responsible for gauging of new vehicle introductions into the UK, Alstom’s monorail gauging worldwide, and provide gauging support to Alstom worldwide and Alstom Services UK projects. I have worked in Gauging roles for approximately 20 years and have been responsible for gauging on numerous new vehicle introductions to the UK network from both the Electrostar family and the Aventra family. I support the design and development of new rail passenger vehicles for the UK network by defining space envelopes within which to design the train and improving stepping distances allowing the train to deliver Level Access boarding and alighting where the platforms support it. My project support is from the bid phase through to final gauging certification and entry into passenger service, so my experience covers all aspects of a project. I also support the UK rail industry through RSSB committee membership.
David Watkinson, Transport for London (DW): David is a Senior Engineering Leader within TfL Track Engineering and is the technical lead for gauging (LU) where he leads a team in the management of Route Clearance Approval (trains) and Clearance Approval (infrastructure) assurance. Personally, David is heavily involved with Platform/Train Interface projects across London Underground and other TfL transport modes.
Edward Garner, AtkinsRéalis (EG): I work as a Team lead and Senior Engineer within AtkinsRéalis' Dynamics, Gauging and Testing team, the majority of my focus is on the gauging side of the team. Successfully supporting the introduction of new build rolling stock as well as refurbished, modified and existing rolling stock on new routes on a regular basis. I have worked in the field for over 8 years majority within the gauging team.
Andrew Brice (AB): I've overseen the track engineering work that led to the successful introduction of S Stock into revenue service which included managing the practical delivery of compliance with the RVA regulations.
Tony Ellis, RSSB (TE): As the Professional Head of Passenger Operations at the RSSB I am heavily involved in many aspects of risk through the customer end to end journey and PTI has been identified as the most integral.
Q: What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
ZB: For passenger vehicle gauging the biggest roadblock has been that no infrastructure has been declared conformant to the passenger vehicle gauges PG1, PG2 & PG3. This means that the gauges cannot be used to demonstrate gauging compatibility, they can only be used to inform vehicle design.
DW: Winning business support to fund regular laser scanning (either train mounted of via trolley) of the network that will enable technical advances in gauging software to be fully utilised.
EG: The availability and reliability of data.
AB: Short term decision making arising from TfL only having annual funding deals.
TE: The lack of shared accountability for PTI and financial constraints which define investment as cost.
Q: What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's event?
ZB: The platform train interface is a challenging subject as the requirement from gauging to maintain sufficient clearance and the stepping distance requirement to minimise the clearance are opposing. This is an area which really interests me, and I believe benefits from lots of different viewpoints working together to provide a better train boarding and alighting experience for passengers of all demographics.
DW: Challenges at the Platform / Train Interface.
EG: The future and aspirations of the gauging industry.
AB: Development of a mainline gauging strategy (including implementation).
TE: The forthcoming PTI Strategy and the opportunity to collate a wide range of effective good practice, innovation and collaboration which will produce a publication primed for the transition to GBR and industry wide adoption.
Q: What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?
ZB: For me there are several areas of innovation which will benefit the industry. These are: 1) the use of statistical methods in gauging such as probabilistic gauging 2) improvements in gauging data such as better definition of track fixity 3) improvements in passenger stepping distances and Level Access railways.
DW: From a TfL perspective, the ability to be able to model a vehicles dynamic swept envelope more closely through geometric transitions, thus identifying the best compromise between gauge clearance and minimising platform steps & gaps.
EG: Automation of processing new data and probabilistic gauging.
AB: Use of advanced survey techniques and improved collected data analysis.
TE: Fleet compatibility to enable unassisted boarding.
Q: Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
ZB: It is always interesting to hear different views from fellow colleagues. I am most interested to hear The Passenger Railway Perspective and The Platform Train Interface presentations.
DW: Minding the gauging data gap - leading the way to better customer experience on station platforms.
EG: I'm particularly looking forward to hearing from Southeastern's Managing Director Steve White.
AB: I'm looking forward to hearing how others are optimising the platform to train interface.
TE: Much of the content is outside of my areas of expertise so I am very much looking forward to learning from specialists and networking with people who are all passionate about the industry and working towards a common goal.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this event?
ZB: This is an excellent opportunity to network and expand your knowledge in the area of gauging through a wide variety of presentations throughout the day.
DW: To share skills, knowledge and experience across the industry.
EG: Without input from engineers within the industry, it is difficult to ascertain the actual struggles and challenges that they face on a day to day basis. Without this information innovation can end up being pointed at the wrong direction and the challenge do not get resolved, hindering progress.
AB: It is important for engineers to join this event so that they can learn from the experience of others.
TE: To challenge opinion, raise awareness of constraints but ultimately to appreciate the crucial role they play in providing a critical service.
The Railway Gauging and Clearance 2025 seminar will be taking place on 24 March 2025 at One Birdcage Walk, London.
Join this seminar to hear ten speaker-led presentations, take part in a panel discussion on enhancing data utilisation, and network with key stakeholders in the gauging community including infrastructure managers, rolling stock gauge specialists, standards owners and those modernising the process.
Plus there'll be further opportunities to network at an evening networking reception hosted by D/Gauge Rift ahead of this year's George Ramshaw Curry Memorial Lecture which will be given by Rufus Boyd, Lead Director at the Great British Railways Transition Team.
To book your place, please visit the event website.