RSSB2722 - T1158- research into gauging economic analysis and business case for gauging strategy for GB

RSSB is holding a Supplier Day on Thursday 16th August at RSSB's offices in London from 14:30 - 16:00.

To attend please email the below email address by Wednesday 15th August: Shareditt@rssb.co.uk -- Notification of Supplier Day and Request for Expressions of Interest RSSB research into gauging economic analysis and business case for gauging strategy for GB RSSB, on behalf of the rail industry, are seeking to understand ideas and capability to undertake research into better understanding the costs and benefits of a longer term gauging strategy Purpose This notification is to invite interested parties to attend a supplier day on 16th August 2018 and/or provide information through Expression of Interest (EoI).

Through Vehicle/Structures System Interface Committee the rail industry has developed a vision and strategic initiatives with the overall aim to maximise capacity on Great Britain's Rail Network by adopting the largest cost-effective gauge over a core, nationwide network.

This supplier day will offer more detail on the nature of the challenges and insight to the research idea.

This will act as an opportunity to: • understand the research identified; • provide information regarding any pre-existing work suppliers may be aware of to inform project development; • support the understanding on the impact the research may provide to industry; • register interest in the research should RSSB decide to commission it for delivery.

The EoI enables interested parties to put forward their capability and also provide any thinking that could support the development of the scope.

To feed into the process, EoIs should be received by COP 13th August 2018.

Background The Vehicle/Structures SIC (V/S SIC) exists to provide the focus for the interface between vehicles and the fixed infrastructure in the areas of physical clearance (gauging).

V/S SIC helps to coordinate the development of sustainable and improved future gauging methodologies that optimise the needs of customers and funders.

V/S SIC have produced a document setting out a vision for the industry (See Appendix A) which addresses three key elements: • Size of Infrastructure • Size of Vehicles • Interface Considerations Within these elements aspirational targets for new build and various levels of upgrade projects have been proposed along with suggestions for further research topics that will be required to help deliver the vision.

To enable the industry and key stakeholders to understand and adapt the strategy over a suitable timeframe an economic analysis of potential costs and benefits is needed.

The intention is that this would be carried out on a network wide basis and through a route case study.

Scope of work At this early stage the scope of work is envisaged to be: • Establish a detailed understanding of costs for modifying infrastructure, including design, planning, construction, possession management, service disruption.