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“Telent’s Request to Stop team have introduced a novel and exciting development for the Far North Line by collaborating and leading a diverse team of sub-contractors and preferred suppliers spanning the UK, after having been appointed by Network Rail as the principal contractor.
The Request to Stop team created and encouraged a ‘one team’ ethos bringing together Network Rail, Scotrail, and supply chain partners including Comms Design Ltd, Neary Rail, Kelly Rail and Northern Marine Services - building trusted relationships while utilising expertise and knowledge, despite geographical locations.
The novel solution enables passengers to request an approaching train to stop at the station electronically, eliminating the need to hand-signal the driver. The Request to Stop solution not only improves passenger safety and customer experience, but also mitigates the need for a train to stop at every station, creating timetable resilience, operational efficiency, and environmental benefits.
A multiple stakeholder approach was required to develop the solution, as it needed a full complex platform-to-train solution utilising the Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) network.
The Telent team utilised existing partnerships and relationships with several stakeholders on the Far North Line, including operations staff, route signallers and ScotRail’s rolling stock engineering team. An integrated programme was developed with weekly engineering meetings to proactively resolve technical queries, manage risks, overcome challenges as they arose and monitor progress. This ensured ongoing communications were maintained and a collaborative working environment was established. As a result, trusted relationships grew where everyone went above and beyond to support the innovative trial.
The trial, agreed in May 2020 involved the development from concept to detailed design for all Request to Stop stations on the Far North Line and the installation and commission of one kiosk at Scotscalder Station.
The Telent team using initiative shadowed the ScotRail train drivers to understand current working practices when on the approach to Request to Stop stations. This allowed for the software upgrade to incorporate existing practices within the new technology, enabling the changes to be more receptive to the end user. By including the end user throughout the process Telent have made the introduction of the new technology significantly smoother for the client.
Collaboration with the ScotRail depot staff supported the upgrade of on-train Cab Display Radios (CDR’s), which required planned diagrams to be amended to upgrade the rolling stock and working closely with the ScotRail on-board equipment engineer to rotate the rolling stock in-line with the upgrade programme.
Telent established a Teams community page and WhatsApp group, including members from all stakeholders to share information and progress photos, enabling around the clock open communications between on-site and office-based teams, creating a shared online space.
Developing collaborative methodologies and working together, the team:
• Carried out multi skilled surveys including the stakeholders
• Joined up design reviews (stakeholder involvement), contributing to success
• Conducted extensive factory acceptance testing with the client in attendance
• Reprogrammed work to align with and support other critical route projects
• Installed new equipment and integrated with existing safety critical infrastructure
All works were achieved within tight timescales and in challenging environments, including site access constraints, geographical locations with listed buildings and stations without electric power supply, where Telent are working on a renewable energy solution.
The system went live, and the trial was successfully delivered in January 2023 creating significant benefits including:
• Improving passenger and driver safety and experience
• Providing real-time customer information for the first time on the route, without reliance on conventional Far North Line customer information systems that require manual updating and do not include late running post-departure information
• Eliminating the need for a train to stop at every station, creating timetable resilience
• Recovering delay minutes enabling operational efficiency
• Recording footfall in rural areas
The success of the teamwork, passion for the project, dedication and collaborative approach resulted in the scope expanding from just one trial station, to eight in total and the upgrade of 12 CDR’s to a total of 182.
All parties were proactive throughout, constantly working together to find solutions to various challenges to accelerate safe delivery of the project, whilst maintaining and embedding the one team ethos.
“HITRANS involved in this project at concept stage, were delighted that Network Rail selected Telent to carry out the mobilisation installation, testing and completion of the Request to Stop project. They are a highly committed team who have the full confidence of all stakeholders.
Frank Roach, Partnership Manager, HITRANS“
“The team have shown strong commitment to providing robust, innovative solutions in a challenging technical environment, with an emphasis on professionalism and safety. Their commitment to the Railway, and in particular the RETB Signalling System, has aided the successful close out of the Far North Line Enhancements Programme, most notably the new Request to Stop System.Cara Healy - Development Manager Capital Delivery ? Scotland?s Railway, Network Rail“
“Great night at the RailStaff Awards last night at the NEC Birmingham. Great night had by all!”
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