New online tool aims to simplify rail route planning

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has launched a free online tool designed to revolutionise route planning for the British rail industry. The Route Availability (RA) Calculator streamlines a previously complex process, saving time and resources for operators.

The new calculator is aiming to improve the assessment of a vehicle’s compatibility with bridges which involves cumbersome calculations. The new calculator works by eliminating this hurdle by quickly determining a vehicle’s RA number based on its axle distances and loads. This number can then be easily compared with the RA ratings of specific routes or bridges, providing a clear picture of suitability.

It is expected that the new tool will help cut time for rail freight users on an already stretched network.

“This user-friendly calculator will become the go-to resource for all route availability calculations in GB,” said Neil Dinmore, Professional Head of Plant at RSSB. Accessible through the RSSB website, the tool simplifies the planning process, allowing operators to focus on efficient and safe rail operations.

The tool can be found on the RSSB website: https://www.rssb.co.uk/en/standards/where-do-we-use-standards/infrastructure/route-availability-calculator