Milestone: National Technical Specification Notices changes with DfT
Industry’s changes to NTSNs are now with the DfT for approval. RSSB’s Joe Bull shares the significance of this milestone.
Joe Bull Regulatory and Policy Specialist, RSSB
National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs) contain technical requirements that legally apply to all new rail subsystems and any major upgrades or renewals. In February, RSSB submitted the formal industry recommendation to the Department for Transport (DfT) for changes to the NTSNs.
The recommendation covers hundreds of changes to technical requirements across rolling stock and infrastructure. It contains a range of technical improvements. Among them are new specifications to facilitate the introduction of new technologies such as Automatic Train Operation or Derailment Detection and Prevention Functions. Addressing existing issues raised by the sector, such as the approach to European Train Control System (ETCS) compatibility checks, is included, too.
This has been a hugely collaborative process. We used the established and proven processes we use for railway group standards. We worked with industry experts sector-wide and undertook a full industry consultation.
The consultation ran for four weeks through November and December 2023. We received a fantastic level of response, with strong engagement from across the industry. This included 701 individual comments from 50 respondents. Manufacturers, suppliers, infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, rolling stock owners, and industry organisations had their say. So all parts of the rail industry affected by NTSNs were represented.
The DfT published the first NTSNs in January 2021. They replaced the EU’s Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) after Britain left the EU. The technical content was kept the same as the TSIs’ to ensure a smooth transition. And until recently, the TSIs and NTSNs have remained the same.
A recent change to the TSIs meant that, for the first time, there was a need to consider making changes to our NTSNs. The change created an opportunity to exercise choice and take a different approach.
Crucially, such decisions are based on what is in the best interest of Britain and our rail industry. In many cases, this is preserving the benefits from continued alignment between British and EU requirements. For instance, where this supports industry and supply chains through reducing technical barriers to trade. But the industry has identified and agreed opportunities to take a different approach. For instance, where this supports British interests, in particular our existing requirements or industry practice.
The industry, through our standards committees, has agreed the recommendation for changes to requirements. But it is ultimately the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision to publish any changes. As such, the industry recommendation is now being scrutinised within the DfT before decisions are made. If approved, the updates will be published, becoming legally applicable.
This work has been a huge undertaking for the industry. It has been an important step in improving NTSNs. Improvement is an ongoing process, though. To make NTSNs even more effective, we recognise there is still work to do.
The consultation unearthed issues that need to be addressed. We will continue to listen to issues raised by those who use the requirements and work with standards committees, other industry experts, and the DfT to address them.
The changes to our NTSNs will benefit all parts of the rail industry and its customers. Requirements are typically for suppliers and manufacturers, to support the introduction of technically compatible subsystems. But there are requirements that support operators of these products—infrastructure managers and railway undertakings. This supports a single-functioning system that delivers benefits to passengers and the industry as a whole.
Check out the results of industry consultation, including formal industry recommendations for each NTSN.
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