The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has published its Annual Business Plan for 2026–27, outlining a move towards predictive, outcome-focused insight to support rail reform and improve performance across the network.
Titled Laying the pathway to Britain’s next railway revolution, the plan sets out how RSSB will continue to provide independent, whole-system analysis as Great British Railways (GBR) develops.
The programme reflects increasing financial pressures on the industry, alongside growing expectations around safety, reliability and accessibility. In response, RSSB is placing greater emphasis on anticipating future risks and performance challenges, rather than analysing past events alone.
Central to this approach is the expanded use of data and advanced analytics, including tools designed to forecast overspeed risk, predict wagon and wheel condition, and deliver AI-enabled insight across safety, health and sustainability.
The plan also highlights a series of targeted initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs. These include trials of enhanced trailing arm bushes, which could deliver maintenance savings of up to £43 million for a typical operator, and simplified signalling for low-volume freight terminals, with potential cost reductions of up to 90%.
Further work includes the development of whole-system station design standards to improve accessibility and safety while delivering annual savings, and enabling simplified single line working to support faster recovery during disruption.
RSSB Chief Executive Mark Phillips said the plan was designed to support the industry through a period of significant structural change.
“Rail reform is one of the biggest structural changes this industry has seen in a generation, and RSSB will play its full part in making it a success,” he said.
“Our Business Plan is built around giving the industry the tools, knowledge and insight it needs to make faster, smarter decisions on safety, performance and cost.”
The organisation said its focus will remain on delivering practical, value-driven solutions that address known industry challenges, while supporting the transition to a more integrated railway under GBR.
