2021 Agenda

10:30 – 11:15

Andrew will give a 5-10 minute address and will then be interviewed by Nigel Harris, Managing Editor, RAIL magazine

12:00 – 12:45

Aidan Hancock, Group Chief Information Officer at Network Rail will chair this session covering all things digital, including how data is being used in new ways across Britain’s railway to improve safety and decision making in passenger and train operations. How does a company, and an industry 'do digital’? Who needs to 'think digitally’? What did we do in the past and what does the future look like?

Jacqueline Young, Director of Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure programme will share how her team is using data science, analytics and algorithms to create new and smarter ways of maintaining the network and managing assets throughout their whole life. One example is insight, a new predictive maintenance tool to help frontline colleagues proactively prevent failures on the railway. The tool will facilitate safer working practices as well as reduce delays for passengers and freight users.

Robin Sutara, Chief Data Officer at Microsoft UK will offer insights into how Microsoft’s customers are getting the best value from digital investment and how to approach challenges like digital upskilling, now that everyone needs a digitally literate workforce.

13:30 – 14:15

An interview with Nigel Harris, Managing Editor, RAIL magazine

Speakers

Lord Peter Hendy CBE

Chairman

Network Rail

14:30 – 15:15

For three years prior to 2019, our reducing trend of near misses had plateaued. And, sadly, the reducing trend of track workers being struck and killed by trains also reversed. So Network Rail had to act. The Safety Task Force was set up to put in place measures to significantly reduce near misses, eliminate track worker fatalities and do this without transferring risk elsewhere. Learn what Network Rail has done to use data, analysis and front line engagement to further understand these issues. Learn how it has reduced open line working by over 80% in 18 months whilst driving a 60% reduction in near misses.

Nick will also discuss how Network Rail is balancing signaller workload and undertaking the largest deployment of trackworker safety equipment ever seen while working with innovators and suppliers to help with these challenges.

10:30 – 11:15

This session is an opportunity to hear directly from Network Rail on how to have visibility of its procurement pipeline and how to access business opportunities.

Every year, Network Rail spends around £7bn on works, services or products, and is committed to maximising the value delivered by each and every supplier. It currently has around 11,000 listed suppliers – 4,000 of these were engaged in the last financial year.

Network Rail has worked closely with suppliers to respond robustly to challenges throughout the pandemic to ensure vital services continued to run reliably for critical workers and freight users. Collaborative working with its supply chain will continue as part of the drive to accelerate innovation and competitiveness across the rail sector.

Mike Black, Director of Supply Chain Services, Network Rail and Roger Maybury, Supplier Management Director, Network Rail, will chair a panel discussion including organisations from outside Network Rail to discuss a number of hot topics including: innovation; sustainability; safe service; modern slavery that all contribute to procurement challenges.

11:30 – 12:15

11:30 - 11:45: Responding to the White Paper: A comprehensive Sustainability Plan for the future railway

George Davies, Director of Sustainable Development, RSSB

11:45 - 12:00: Challenges and opportunities of decarbonising the rail network

Jamie Shaw, Low Emission Strategy Lead, Network Rail

Attend to hear the latest policy and practical solutions for decarbonising the rail network. This session will explore the importance of collaboration across the rail supply chain in order to deliver Network Rail’s science-based targets for reducing carbon.

12:00 - 12:15: Q&A

12:30 – 13:00

With the railway under pressure to demonstrate it is spending every pound wisely, Rail SPEED is an important joint initiative between Network Rail (NR) and DfT to reduce the time and cost of delivering railway infrastructure projects. Join Stuart Calvert, capital delivery director, Wales & Western at Network Rail to hear how SPEED is:

• Significantly reducing the time and cost of building the railway, delivering passengers benefits faster, reducing disruption to the rail network and saving taxpayers’ money;
• Cutting through layers of process and bureaucracy that add little value, freeing up colleagues’ time to focus on doing the things that matter, safely;
• Helping build an industry that trusts knowledge and expertise, does not follow rules at the expense of common sense or better outcomes and is filled with people proud and excited to work in rail;
• The future for every rail infrastructure project, which will apply SPEED ways of working, saving billions of pounds and cutting years off delivery, so it simply becomes how we get the job done; and
• A key plank of rail reform, helping lay the groundwork for a modern, efficient railway that puts passenger and freight users first.

13:15 – 14:00

13:15 - 13:25: The role of the regulator in the rail system

John Larkinson, Chief Executive, Office of Rail and Road

13:25 - 13:40: Rail Health and Safety

Ian Prosser CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, Office of Rail and Road

13:40 - 13:50: Safety and Sustainability at HS2

Emma Head, Safety and Assurance Director, HS2 Ltd

An introduction to the scale, complexity and Health, Safety and Security challenges faced by HS2 with a look at the opportunities to change the health and safety agenda in railway construction, and leave a lasting legacy in performance. Explore the opportunities for building a more sustainable railway for the future.

13:50 - 14:00: Q&A 

14:15 – 15:00

Network Rail’s Air Operations Team survey Britain’s railway from above using a combination of helicopters and drones, fitted with a state-of-the-art cameras and remote sensing systems.

At Rail Live this year, Network Rail will be showcasing both of their dedicated helicopters which have thermal and GSS camera systems, along with a wide selection of drones.

Within this session, members of the Air Operations team will be joined by a representative from the CAA and DroneCloud for a panel discussion about how drones are used in Britain. As well as discussing the benefits of drones, the panel will also discuss the challenges and what is being done to overcome those.

While drones are being used to great effect, across many industries in Britain, the panel will also discuss the latest trends and what future innovation is on the horizon.

You’ll also hear more about the legalities of flying a drone and what guidance is available to help ensure drones are used safely and securely. Network Rail has recently launched a Flight Management System (developed by DroneCloud) which shows drone pilots if another drone is operating nearby, as well as alert the pilots to other potential ground or air hazards in the area of the flight.