ORR establishes the rail industry information network and publishes its strategy for improving rail data
21 December 2005
ORR/50/05
Today we publish our conclusions on the rail industry information network, following the consultation that we triggered in April.
Our aim for the information network is to improve the availability and quality of rail industry data, and access to it. Key industry processes need fit for purpose data. These processes include our periodic review of Network Rail outputs and access charges; development of the government’s high level output specification and funding plans for the railway and development by Network Rail of route utilisation strategies.
In our conclusions we set out our strategy for improving data quality, and access to the data. This includes:
- a review of the data on which our regular National Rail Trends publication is based;
- an independent review of the fitness for purpose of key Network Rail planning data;
- a DfT, ORR and Scottish Executive co-funded initiative to ensure consistent and appropriate data to inform specification of desired railway outputs. This includes the collation of current and forecast outputs and costs, and the main assumptions which underpin the forecasts;
- implementation of a new data code, designed to provide a framework to assess industry data against defined criteria, to establish if it is fit for purpose; and
- revisions to ORR’s publications to provide a more effective independent assessment of industry performance in terms of rail outputs, efficiency and costs, and to improve public access to industry data.
Future priorities for data quality improvements will be shaped by a new steering group, with representatives from across the industry and Government.
In addition, early in 2006, we will publish a web based data catalogue which will describe existing and planned rail industry data. The catalogue will form part of a new information network section of our website, which will provide a regularly updated introduction to rail data.
Notes for editors:
- ORR’s consultation document on Better information, better decisions: ORR’s proposed strategy for developing a rail industry information network was published in April 2005.
- ORR’s Information Network Conclusions - December 2005 is published today.
- ORR took over the publication of National Rail Trends from the SRA and has recently published the quarter 2 edition.
- The High level Output Specifications are the description of rail outputs that the Secretary of State and Scottish Ministers want to buy, as required under the Railways Act 2005. ORR’s role is to cost the specifications and determine if they can be delivered with the available funds.
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