ORR’s six principles for Driver Controlled Operation

The Office of Rail and Road has published six high level principles it expects train companies to follow when rolling out and managing Driver Controlled Operation (DCO).

DCO is the method of working where the driver is responsible for door operation and determining that it is safe to start the train. How the driver determines whether the train is safe to start will be dependent upon the method of train dispatch and whether the supporting risk assessment requires other safety critical staff to be involved.

These Principles are designed as a framework for train companies who are considering introducing, or who are operating, DCO. They state that DCO schemes need to be well planned, with appropriate implementation timescales and developed against a shared understanding of how to handle any issues which need to be addressed.

The six principles are:

1. Trains need to be compatible with the platforms that they use and the method of operation at these platforms.
2. Station platforms need to be compatible with the trains using them and they must support the methods of operation.
3. The nature of the operation with the train and platform need to be assessed. This includes consideration of passenger needs and behaviour.
4. Staff should be trained and competent.
5. The implementation should be planned.
6. The system should be managed through its whole life, with improvements adopted

“ORR’s Principles are designed to give guidance to industry about how best to plan and implement driver controlled operation,” said Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, ORR. “The most important element is planning new arrangements well in advance, talking with staff and their representatives to address concerns and ensure they are informed about the progress of plans.”

The Principles are part of the rail regulator’s overall approach to railway safety which helps train companies and their staff understand what is needed to comply with health and safety requirements. This is part of ORR’s ongoing work with industry to continuously improve the approach to all types of train dispatch.

“These Principles reinforce our view that suitable equipment, proper procedures and competent staff must be in place for the safe implementation of driver control operation,” Mr Prosser added.