IRSE NEWS – December edition

IRSE NEWS – December edition

The December IRSE NEWS has been published and can be accessed on line – click here to view or download it (you will need to log in).  As well as industry news, IRSE event information, local Section news, letters, etc, this edition includes the following articles and papers:

* Third Technical Paper in the Presidential Programme 2015-15 (see below)
* Engineering Assurance for Infrastructure Projects, by Jon Shaw CEng FIRSE (Engineering Director, Network Rail)
* Thales’ Axle Counter and Technology Users’ Group Seminar – Report
* Minor Railways’ Section Biennial Technical Seminar – Report

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Third Technical Paper in Presidential Programme 2015-16 : London (UK)
8 December 2015

This is the third Technical Meeting in our Presidential Programme series for 2015-16.  At each meeting a paper will be presented by an author at the invitation of our President, Andrew Simmons, as part of this year's overall theme "Reparing for the Data Driven Railway'.

The December paper is by Arne Boralv (Prover Technology AB, Sweden) and Peter Duggan (Siemens Rail Automation, UK), on the subject of "Mathematical Proof in an Automated Environment for Railway Interlockings”. The paper explores the application of Formal Methods to signalling systems.  Formal proof as a means to verify safety has matured to the point where it can be applied for any railway interlocking system.  Proof of safety can also be used within automated development processes for railway interlockings.  Considerable change in behaviours within the signalling industry is required, in both the infrastructure owner community and the supplier community, in order to take advantage of developments such as these.

The meeting takes place on Tuesday 8th December at the IET Savoy Place, London.  The meeting commences at 18.00 (refreshments from 17.30). More details can be found on the IRSE website – click here for details.

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4th Annual Toronto Conference : Toronto, Canada
4 December 2015

The IRSE's North American Section is holding its 4th Annual Toronto Conference on 4th December.  The conference has become an annual fixture, featuring short topical presentations in the field of Train Control, Command and Radio Communication. This year the conference has the theme of “Smart Signalling Applications for Railway and Transit”.  Click here to see the details on the IRSE main website, or go to www.irse.ca for more information about the venue etc.

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Do We Need Systems Engineering Processes for Signalling Projects? : Singapore
8 December

Dr Sam Chan of the Land Transport Authority will be presenting a paper to the IRSE Singapore Section on 8th December, titled " Do We Need Systems Engineering Process for Signalling Projects?".  Click here for more details.

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Beijing Convention 2016

The 2016 Convention will take place from 10th – 14th October next year in Beijing.

The Convention will include technical papers, visits to both metro and mainline railway installations, a visit to Beijing Jiaotong University which undertakes R&D work for railways, and a visit to one of the high speed railways. A complementary programme of visits is planned for partners of IRSE members who attend.

The programme and booking details will be available from 2nd February 2016 via the February e-bulletin and in the February mailshot for those members who receive hard copies of IRSE NEWS.
We are planning to offer a number of bursaries for younger members to attend the Convention, and information about this will be made available with the booking details.

This represents a unique opportunity to learn about the continuing rapid growth in railways in China, and in particular the development and application of train control and communications systems in particular. IRSE members and their employing companies are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.

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IRSE Strategy 2015-2020

The IRSE maintains a forward Strategy of planned developments and improvements, to support delivery of its objectives. The Strategy was revised and rewritten in early 2015, and approved by the Institution's governing Council at its meeting in April 2015. It was published in the June edition of IRSE NEWS. The Strategy addresses:

* The objectives of the Institution (as set out in our Articles of Association)
* Our vision for the role of the Institution
* Our values
* Our five strategic aims for 2015-2020

The Strategy is supported by an Implementation Plan, which sets out in more detail the actions that the Institution intends to take to deliver the Strategy.  The Implementation Plan is subject to regular review by the IRSE Council.  The Strategy and the Plan are both available on the IRSE website – click here.

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New Jobs Board online

In association with Railway Gazette International we have developed a new jobs website for IRSE members. Advertisements for jobs and roles in any part of the world can be placed here, and if you are thinking of changing jobs, this is the place to look. The Jobs Board is accessible from the main IRSE website or you can click here to go directly to it.

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Christmas/New Year Office Closure

The IRSE offices in London will close at midday on 24th December for the Christmas and New Year period, and will re-open at 09.00 on Monday 4th January 2016 (all times are UK).

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The following news items will be of interest principally to members in Europe (including the UK):

Younger Members Section Annual Seminar & Technical Visit :  Swindon, UK
3-4 December 2015

The IRSE Younger Members' section and our sponsors are pleased to announce that the 2015 Seminar will be held at STEAM Museum in Swindon on Thursday the 3rd of December. The seminar will be followed by a technical visit to Siemens Rail Automation in Chippenham on Friday the 4th of December.
In the UK both Network Rail and London Underground are currently undergoing major signalling upgrade programmes to modernise the rail infrastructure by bringing their networks into the 'Digital Age'. The signalling and control systems being introduced as part of these programmes differ significantly from traditional systems. They utilise modern communication networks, have a variety of interfaces and require careful thought with regard to migration and integration with existing systems. The result is a variety of challenges in relation to security, complexity and reliability. We are delighted to welcome speakers from Atkins, Great Western Railway, Interfleet, Siemens and TfL to share their experiences in facing these challenges with you.  Click here for more details.

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NexTeo : Urban/Semi-Urban re-signalling in Paris
13 January 2016

A technical meeting will be held in Paris on 13th January 2016, on the subject of the planned NexTeo signalling system.  This system, to be applied in Paris for the first time, combines CBTC and ERTMS for urban/semi-urban routes where a high density traffic capability is required.  The meeting will begin at 17.00. For more details contact Hugh Rochford (hugh.rochford@reseau.sncf.fr).

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Fourth Technical Paper in Presidential Programme 2015-16 : London
14 January 2016

The fourth Technical Meeting in our Presidential Programme series for 2015-16 takes place on 14th January at the IET building, Savoy Hill, London.  Former IRSE President Paul Jenkins will be presenting his paper "The Digital Railway – the Communications Network”. The meeting will commence at 18.00.  Click here for more details.

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Systems Engineering Seminar
April 2016 (dated to be confirmed)

We are planning to run a one day Seminar on the application of systems engineering to train control systems in the UK in mid-April 2016 (date to be confirmed).
If you are interested in presenting a paper at this Seminar, please contact Karl King (karl.king@mottmac.com).  More information will be available in the next e-bulletin and on the IRSE website.

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Braunschweig Technical Visit – presentations

The presentations from the Braunschweig (Germany) Technical Visit on the subject of EULYNX which took place at the beginning of November are now available on the IRSE website. Click here to access them (you will need to log in).

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