The rail freight industry has welcomed a new service designed to help operators anticipate and respond to emerging risks, following a project led by the Freight Safe Programme and delivered by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).
The Freight Emerging Risks Horizon Scanning service has been developed over an 18-month period to support freight operating companies in identifying and preparing for potential threats that could affect operations. These include challenges such as cyber security risks, geopolitical instability and extreme weather events.
The initiative forms a key workstream within the Freight Safe Programme and has been developed in collaboration with freight operators, Network Rail, RSSB and other industry stakeholders.
At the core of the service is the Emerging Risks Brief, which provides research and analysis on potential future risks at both UK and global levels. The brief also includes a structured process to help organisations assess the relevance of these risks and track developments over time.
The first briefing was released in September 2025, with 2026 marking the first full year of production.
Geoff Spencer, Chairman of the Freight Safe Programme, said:
“In our fast paced world, global and more localised events can have a huge impact on our daily lives and businesses, including rail freight which delivers essential goods across the country. The Freight Safe Programme sees horizon scanning as an essential service in putting rail freight operating companies on the front foot, to enable them to prepare and plan for co-ordinated responses should an event outside of their control, such as a natural disaster, global instability or economic downturn, occur.”
Industry engagement has been central to the rollout of the service. RSSB has delivered introductory workshops and awareness sessions with organisations including the National Freight Safety Group (NFSG), Rail Operations Group (ROG) and freight operating companies across the sector.
The aim is to embed horizon scanning as a routine part of business planning, helping operators strengthen safety, operational resilience and long-term strategic planning.
Guy Yeomans, Professional Head of Foresight and Horizon Scanning at RSSB, said:
“We’ve worked in close collaboration with the Freight Safe Programme and individual freight operating companies (FOCs) to develop and bring the horizon scanning initiative to fruition. Based on the interest and relationships established, we look forward to continuing to support and enhance our collective effort to help FOCs embed and use emerging risks thinking into their safety, operational and organisational resilience thinking.”
The Freight Safe Programme also acknowledged the contribution of Guy Yeomans and Elliot James from the RSSB Futures Lab, whose work helped guide the development and delivery of the service, alongside the wider project team and industry partners.
The programme hopes the service will become a long-term tool for the sector, helping freight operators anticipate future challenges and respond more effectively to an increasingly complex risk environment.
