UK: A suite of short animated learning resources designed to support improved operational performance has been launched by the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators.
Developed at the request of Network Rail through the Industry Performance Innovation Fund, the Delivering Operational Performance collection comprises role-specific, white-label videos and supporting briefing materials created to help build a shared understanding of how everyday decisions, behaviours and communication directly influence the safety, punctuality and reliability of railway operations.
Developed by CIRO for use across the industry, the materials focus on eight key operational areas:
- Stations: highlighting how effective passenger management, communication and safe, timely dispatch at stations can prevent small delays from escalating across the network;
- Depots and stabling locations: focusing on how preparation, defect management and clear communication between depot teams, drivers and control underpin reliable service delivery;
- Infrastructure: exploring how proactive maintenance, on-site decision-making and effective co-ordination with control can maintain safety while minimising disruption;
- Onboard staff: demonstrating how actions on trains influence dwell times, punctuality, customer experience and the smooth operation of services throughout the journey;
- Drivers: emphasising the role of preparation, train management and communication in supporting safe, punctual running and effective response to emerging issues;
- Signalling and control: illustrating how timely decisions, prioritisation and clear communication help manage disruption and prevent minor delays from becoming major incidents;
- Planning and resourcing: showing how robust planning, anticipation of resource constraints and collaboration with delivery teams support a resilient and recoverable timetable;
- Freight operations: highlighting the importance of co-ordination across operators, terminals, fleet and control to protect tightly timed freight paths and avoid knock-on impacts across the wider network.
The content is deliberately generic and cross-industry, and it is designed to complement and not replace existing company standards, processes and methods of working.
The videos are supported by structured, discussion-based briefing materials intended to be delivered in person by local line managers. This approach reinforces leadership ownership of performance, encourages cross-functional understanding and enables teams to explore real local challenges, practical improvement actions and the impact of decisions on customers, colleagues and the wider network.
The Rail Delivery Group will be responsible for taking the materials forward on behalf of the industry, with success monitored through the RDG Tactical Operations Plan to ensure adoption, engagement and impact are evaluated against agreed industry objectives.
