The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006

[F1 Indicators relating to precursors of accidents U.K.

4.— (1) “Broken rails” means any rail which is separated in two or more pieces, or any rail from which a piece of metal becomes detached, causing a gap of more than 50mm in length and more than 10mm in depth on the running surface.

(2) “Track buckles” means faults related to the continuum and the geometry of track, requiring track obstruction or immediate reduction of permitted speed to maintain safety.

(3) “Wrong side signalling failure” means any failure of a signalling system (either to infrastructure or to rolling stock), resulting in signalling information less restrictive than that demanded.

(4) “Signal passed at danger (SPAD)” means any occasion when any part of a train proceeds beyond its authorised movement to an unauthorised movement;

“unauthorised movement” means to pass—

(a)

a trackside colour light signal or semaphore at danger, order to STOP, where an Automatic Train Control System (ATCS) or train protection system (as described in paragraph 7(a) of Part 1 of this Schedule) is not operational;

(b)

the end of a safety related movement authority provided in an ATCS or train protection system;

(c)

a point communicated by verbal or written authorisation laid down in regulations; or

(d)

stop boards (buffer stops are not included) or hand signals,

but excludes cases in which—

(e) vehicles without any traction unit attached or a train that is unattended run away past a signal at danger; or

(f) for any reason, the signal is not turned to danger in time to allow the driver to stop the train before the signal.

(The Office of Rail Regulation may report separately on items (a) to (d) and shall report at least an aggregate indicator containing data on all four items).

(5) “Broken wheels and broken axles” means a break affecting the essential parts of the wheel or the axle and creating a risk of accident (derailment or collision).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 3 substituted (26.8.2011) by The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1860), regs. 1, 2(12)