IRSE NEWS

The latest edition of IRSE NEWS is now available, complete with its re-branded look – click here to view it (you will need to log-in).  You can also see all the recent editions on the “Recent Issues” page of the IRSE website. This month’s edition contains articles on:

§  Presidential Address by Markus Montigel: “Winds of Change”

§  Track worker safety

§  Specifying the unmanned railway

§  Reducing maintenance backlog

§  Why do signalling projects fail?

There is a letter from the Chief Executive about the new look of the IRSE and IRSE News – click here to read it.

Markus Montigel inaugurated as IRSE President 2018-19

Dr Markus Montigel of Switzerland was inaugurated as our President for 2018-19 at the IRSE’s AGM in London on 27^th April.  His theme for his Address, and for the year, is “Winds of Change”, challenging the IRSE and wider industry to increase its pace of change and innovation in order to avoid being left behind in the transport arena.

Markus’ Presidential Address is in the May edition of IRSE News – or click on one of these links to read it in English, French or German.

IRSE at Africa Rail 2018

12-13 June 2018

The IRSE Southern Africa Section is partnering with the Africa Rail 2018 event to be held in Johannesburg on 12-13 June.

This annual conference brings together all railway stakeholders in Africa to network, share ideas and promote business interests. Key speakers from southern Africa governments and from industry will be participating. In 2018 the focus of the event is on skills development and, for the first time, the IRSE will be running a workshop at the conference, which will be geared to that theme. For more information, click here.  IRSE members can obtain discounted tickets for the conference.

Presidential Programme Technical Paper: “Command and Control 4.0”

13 June 2018, London

On 13^th June the first Presidential Programme Technical Paper of 2018-19 will be presented in London by Dr Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director, European Union Agency for Railways.

Control, command and signalling are at the core of railway operations – they essentially determine safety and performance of the network. With the capabilities provided by new technology in terms of computing power, sensors, and networking/connectivity, new possibilities arise. A scenario becomes likely whereby all modes are part of a single shared transport system, with journeys procured digitally in ways that best fits customer needs and preferences.

Dr Doppelbauer has 25 years of experience in key aspects of railway technology, and development of ERTMS. His international work experience includes roles in Austria, France, UK, Sweden, and Germany. In January 2015 took up his current position as Executive Director of the European Union Railway Agency.

This event will take place at EEF, Broadway House (next to St James tube station), starting at 19.00.  Refreshments will be available from 18.30.  Please note that this is not our usual venue or start time! Click here for more details.

Subscription renewals

We will soon be writing to all IRSE members with details of your subscription renewal for 2018-19. Subscriptions are due to be paid by 1^st July, and we very much hope that you will continue to be a member of the Institution by paying your subscription promptly. 

There are various ways you can pay – online via the IRSE website, by credit or debit card, by bank transfer, by cheque.  For UK members we also strongly recommend that, if you have not already done so, you set up a Direct Debit so that we can collect your payment on time each year.

Renewing your membership means that you will continue to receive IRSE News, information about events, e-bulletins and access to IRSE events around the world.  We also provide a range of other services to members, which you can find on our website www.irse.org.

Please note that when you renew your membership you will be bound by our Membership Terms and Conditions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IRSE MEMBERS IN INDIA:

Please note that if you are an IRSE member in India, you may in the past have renewed your subscription by paying via the IRSE India Section Secretary.  However, for 2018 onwards all subscription payments must be made directly to the IRSE in London.  This is most easily done online via the IRSE website, making your payment by credit or debit card.

General Data Protection Regulations

On 25 May the EU General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679) comes into force, adding further protection to individuals in respect of their personal data held by organisations and companies.  This affects the IRSE, since we hold personal data relating to members, IRSE licence holders and others.

We are working on arrangements for compliance with the Regulation, and we have produced an information sheet to explain what we are doing to protect the personal data we hold about members, IRSE Licence-holders and others. Click here to view the information sheet.

Our website Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy have already been amended – check here to view them.

The following items will be of interest principally to members in Europe (inc. UK):

London and South East Section: First technical visit

18 May, London

The newly-formed London and South East Section is organising its first technical visit, to see and learn about the LUL Northern Line Extension to Battersea.

The visit takes place on the afternoon of 18^th May.  If you would like to attend, please register your interest by emailing vivich.silapasoonthorn@tube.tfl.gov.uk or Judith.ward@irse.org.  The number of places available is very limited, so send your email soon.  Click here for further details.

Annual Members Lunch

13 June, London

The 20th IRSE Annual Members’ Lunch will take place at the Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 8UJ (near Waterloo station) on Wednesday, 13^th June 2018.

A three course luncheon with wine and coffee will be served at 13.00 hours and tickets for the event can now be purchased.  Please note that the Luncheon is for IRSE members only.

This event is for all members, regardless of age or employment status. It’s a great way of networking and meeting up with both current and former colleagues in an informal social setting. Our President, Markus Montigel, will be speaking. For more information, and to book, please click here.

IET Railway Signalling and Control Systems Course (partnered by IRSE)

18 – 21 June 2018, London

The IET Railway Signalling and Control Systems (RSCS) is a four day training course delivered by expert lecturers (many of them IRSE members) who have worked on railway systems around the world. This course is delivered every two years, and this year for the first time the IRSE is the official course partner. It features a technical programme which has been developed by a technical committee. 

The programme aims to provide attendees with the most up-to-date contemporary training on signalling and control systems, and is suitable for people who want to understand the basics of signalling, as well as for those wanting to learn about current developments. It contains material relevant to both national rail networks and metros.

This course is highly recommended. For more information and to book your place, click here.

London and South East Section: Inaugural meeting

21 June, London

This is the London & South East Section's inaugural meeting, which will comprises the agreement of the Section Articles of Association and voting in of the new Committee, followed by a series thought-provoking short technical papers by IRSE members, and a social event. Refreshments are available from 17.30 and the meeting starts at 18.00.  The venue is the University of Westminster (Cavendish Street campus). 

Click here for more details.  You will need to register for this event.

Minor Railway Section AGM and Technical Visit

23 June, Didcot (UK)

The IRSE Minor Railways Section is holding its AGM and a Technical Visit to Didcot Railway Centre on the occasion of its Signalling Gala Weekend.  This is being held to commemorate Swindon panel’s 50th year, which was in operation until 2015 but has now been restored and modified to work with computer simulators of the original Western Region E10k relay interlockings. 

For more information and to book your place, click here.

Traffic Management Systems: Seminar

26 June, London

This Seminar will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing advanced traffic management systems. Designing these systems to maximise capacity and performance, and to respond effectively to changing operating conditions (without adversely affecting safety), requires Rolling Stock and Signal engineers to work together – which is why this event is being organised jointly by the IRSE and the IMechE.  Join us for a thought-provoking and informative day.

For more information, click here.  There are discounts for IRSE members.

Inaugural joint event with IEEE UK & Ireland

“Ethics in Engineering”: 5 July, London

Increasing automation means that complex systems are making decisions with an ethical dimension. Nowhere is this more true than in the field of transport. Autonomy in road vehicles is causing engineers, lawyers, insurers and others to re-think previously accepted norms. On railways, principles about the safe movement of trains that were once regarded as inviolable are being challenged, bringing benefits but also causing us to consider “how safe is safe enough?”.

We are now constantly encountering fresh issues that demand urgent, ethically sound answers. Respect for the environment and natural resources are topics for engineers to incorporate into their work, whether it is in the context of a major project such as Crossrail or HS2, or in finding practicable alternatives to the use of plastics in packaging.

This Seminar, the first undertaken jointly by the IRSE and the IEEE Systems Council Chapter in the UK & Ireland, seeks to explore the underpinning principles associated with these challenges, raise awareness and foster collaboration between stakeholders. This event will take place in the late afternoon/early evening of 5^th July. More information will be available soon – click here.  You will need to register for this event.