D-RSS has successfully delivered a number of critical projects for Network Rail in existing and new electrification infrastructure locations. Recently, D-RSS was used to forecast the dynamic interface performance at Steventon as part of the Great Western Electrification project (GWEp), where a 110mph operating speed was eventually achieved at a maximum gradient of 1:174.
The standard limitations regarding pantograph operating heights and rate of ascent pose significant challenges in developing new electrification infrastructure. The interface with surrounding legacy structure such as listed Overbridges that exist throughout most of the network require massive investment in order to achieve NTSN (TSI ENE) requirements with the required combination of operational and design parameters, such as speed and permissible wire gradient respectively.
A strong methodology deployed in collaboration with Atkins involving bespoke D-RSS modeling, laboratory data implementation by the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research (BCRRE) and validation provided by instrumented pantograph testing at the proving grounds of Melton Rail Innovation & Development Centre (RIDC) is successfully delivering a new set of optimised OLE design gradient rules suitable for the UK electrification network and for speeds up to 125mph.
