Predicting overspeeding before it happens
New technology that identifies when and where overspeed events are likely, so they can be prevented — not just investigated after the fact.
0% risk reduction
ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN 2026–27
Six ways we're making Britain's railways work better
This plan sets out what RSSB will deliver next year — and the evidence behind it. From preventing accidents before they happen to proving rail's value to society, here's where the investment goes and what it returns.
- 01 Preventing harm before it happens
- 02 Bouncing back from disruption faster
- 03 Making every pound work harder
- 04 A railway that works for everyone
- 05 Unlocking revenue, cutting waste
- 06 Proving what rail gives back to Britain
OUTCOME 01
01 A safer railway, built on evidence
We're developing technology that spots danger before it arrives. Three programmes target the biggest safety risks on the network — overspeed incidents, personal security, and freight vehicle failures — and each one is already showing measurable results.
Making everyone safer on the railway
A new safety framework designed to protect women and girls — giving every part of the industry a clear, shared approach to personal security.
10s of m more journeys unlocked
Predicting freight wear before it fails
A predictive maintenance solution that catches vehicle faults early — keeping freight moving and cutting the £60m annual cost of breakdowns.
£0m in fault costs targeted
OUTCOME 02
02 Getting back on track, faster
Delays are inevitable — slow recovery isn't. We're proving new ways to cut disruption, protect timetables from climate threats, and surface health insights worth millions. Even small improvements have an outsized financial impact.
Faster recovery when things go wrong
Proven new ways of working that get services running again sooner after disruption.
Just 1% improvement £0k saved
Smarter timetables that cut delays
A new tool that models timetable changes and predicts which ones actually reduce delay minutes.
Just 10% of expected impact £0k over 10 years
Climate-proofing the network
Mapping where the railway is most vulnerable to extreme weather, then building adaptation plans before the damage happens.
Just 0.1% less delay £0k every year
Industry-wide health and safety analysis
Best-in-class data analysis across health, safety and sustainability — uncovering risks that no single operator could spot alone.
Health insights alone £0m cost benefit
OUTCOME 03
03 Making every pound work harder
The railway's existing assets have more life in them — if we manage them smarter. We're extending fleet lifespans, slashing signalling costs, removing barriers to battery trains, and giving the whole industry a free carbon tool.
Extending the life of 15 fleets
Trialling a new technical system that monitors fleet condition in real time — so trains stay in service longer and cost less to maintain.
£0m lifetime maintenance savings
Cutting signalling costs by 90%
Replacing expensive signalling schemes at low-volume freight terminals with simpler, cheaper alternatives.
£1m → £100k per scheme — 90% reduction
Removing barriers to battery trains
Tackling the cost and risk concerns that hold back adoption — making electrification-free routes viable.
£0k saved over 5 years per stranded train
A free carbon tool for the whole industry
One shared platform for accurate emissions data — replacing slow, manual processes with fast, informed decisions.
£1.5–2m saved per year across the industry
OUTCOME 04
04 A railway that works for everyone
Independent travel isn't a luxury — it's a right. We're redesigning how people experience stations and board trains, so the railway is safer, easier and cheaper to run for all passengers.
Safer, more accessible stations
Improving station design, safety and accessibility — cutting maintenance costs, reducing energy spend, and preventing accidents at the same time.
£0m saved annually
Easier boarding for every passenger
Practical new ways to get on and off trains — reducing boarding delays and making the whole journey smoother, especially for disabled passengers.
£0m in benefits over 10 years
OUTCOME 05
05 Unlocking revenue, cutting waste
There's money being left on the table. By safely lifting freight restrictions, applying AI to operations, and automating data exchange, we're showing that efficiency and safety accelerate together.
Opening up freight capacity
Identifying which current restrictions on freight can be safely changed — clearing the way for more goods on rail and supporting the Government's freight growth targets.
£0m additional revenue over 5 years
£1.25bn investment secured
AI for safer, smarter operations
Applying artificial intelligence to existing operational challenges — reducing incidents and freeing up human attention for what matters most.
£0m in incident reduction over 5 years
Automating data sharing
Replacing manual data exchange with automated systems — saving time across every member organisation, every week.
£0m saved over 5 years
OUTCOME 06
06 Proving what rail gives back to Britain
Rail doesn't just move passengers — it creates jobs, improves health, strengthens communities, and cuts emissions. We're building the evidence to prove it, so decision-makers can see the full picture when they invest.
If we can achieve just a 5% uplift in reported social value over five years, this is the annual benefit to the country — in economic growth, health outcomes, reduced emissions, and stronger local economies.
Why it matters
Rail's social value is significantly under-reported. Decisions about where to invest — and what to cut — are being made on incomplete evidence. We're changing that.
How we'll do it
A new framework that quantifies rail's contribution to jobs, health, environment, and communities — giving the industry the numbers it needs to make the case for investment.
WHAT COMES NEXT
This is year one of a longer plan.
Every number on this page is a commitment. The full Annual Business Plan details the programmes, timelines, and teams behind each one. This is what evidence-led progress looks like.