Scope
Description
RSSB seeks to procure research to:
•Provide insight on front-end lighting used on GB rolling stock; the assumptions made on their performance (both in term of visibility provided to the driver and warning to people on or near the line)
•Indicate the degree of warning provided (in terms of distance between an oncoming train and the viewer) by front-end lighting that is:
oCompliant with LOC&PAS (Rolling stock - Locomotive & Passenger) NTSN requirements
oInstalled on pre-TSI (Technical Specification for Interoperability) vehicles, including yellow front-ends
•Assess the variables that can degrade or drift and affect compliance with the requirements, and inspection or maintenance required to keep front-end lighting within limits
•Assess the feasibility and potential benefits of automated headlight switching, with or without the added functionality of Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlight technology that is available on road vehicles
Successful delivery and implementation will:
•Provide industry with evidence on the actual warning provided by the lighting specifications and their impact on safety protocols and train operations. This is intended to inform RSSB Standards Project 22-006 (which is planned to be completed by December 2026). This is also intended to inform an update to RIS-3437-TOM Defective On-Train Equipment and Rule Book Module GERT8000-TW5 Defective or isolated vehicles and on-train equipment, by informing what arrangements remain safe when some external vehicle lighting becomes defective, but other lighting remains working.
•Identify the potential advantages and risks of adopting automated headlight switching, with or without ADB headlight technology, considering the need for industry co-ordination.
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Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £100,000 excluding VAT
- £120,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Date signed
18 November 2025
Contract dates
- 19 November 2025 to 24 August 2026
- 9 months, 6 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Supplier
OptiConsulting Limited
Downlee Close
Chapel en le Frith
SK23 9TR
United Kingdom
Email: Procurement@RSSB.co.uk
Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVGN-9767-BLPT
25 Fenchurch Avenue,
London
EC3M 5AD
United Kingdom
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)