The information required by ODEC is obvious from the application itself. Much of these data are readily available form a number of sources. Indeed a lot of the information can be easily collated by the local operations manager in advance of your visit. However, the signallers themselves are also a key sources of information. You may need to make arrangements in advance to talk to them, particularly at very busy locations. The Site Visit Proforma can be used to help structure your interview with them.

Interview with the Local Operations Manager (LOM), Duty Shift Manager (DSM) or signaller

Incident forms, occurrence book and the train register book

These will contain details of the number of incidents and occurrences such as reports of trespassers, track circuit failures, overhead line tripping incidents and points failures. At locations where there is a Signalling Shift Manager it may be such information is also contained in their daily log.

Working timetable (WTT)

This contains the train schedules used by operational rail staff. It shows all details of all train movements including empty coaching stock moves and so provides information about the number of trains.

Simplifier - a document that translates the working timetable into a document that can be used by each signaller for their area of control.

Sectional Appendix

The Sectional Appendix provides detailed information about railway infrastructure, line speeds and train speeds. It will also include details of junctions which are usually the main regulating locations, although there may be other regulating locations which should be counted in addition to the junctions. The signaller will provide details of these. You can access the National Electronic Sectional Appendix at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/10563.aspx

Special Box Instructions

Special Box Instructions, or operating restrictions are procedures or arrangements relating to a specific location that control or affect the operation of the signal box and associated train working. It is important to only count those instructions that require additional or specific actions by the signaller in certain operating situations. Instructions identifying the status of bridges in the area (in case of bridge strikes) and TPWS fitted signals can be discounted.

Possession and line blockage forms

A line blockage form (RT3181) is completed for every line block a signaller authorises and so provides information about the demand arising from granting line blockages. The forms must be kept for audit purposes and so they should be accessible for the purposes of the workload assessment. Most locations also have forms for recording possessions. However, details of the number of possessions can also be obtained from the weekly operating and periodic operating notices (WONs and PONs) available in the signalling location.

Observation of the panel

The application itself also provides you tips for where to get the data for each entity