Signal Sighting Committee (SSC) Chairperson
Role Purpose
The Signal Sighting Committee Chairperson leads, manages, and assures the end‑to‑end signal sighting process to ensure all railway signals and indicators are positioned, assessed, and validated in accordance with applicable Network Rail and UK rail industry standards. The role ensures signal visibility, compliance with design principles, and operational safety, drawing on formal requirements defined in GE/RT8037 (Signal Positioning & Visibility) and the wider CCS Signal Sighting Competence Framework (NR/L2/SIG/50035/23).
This is a contract role based in Manchester for 6-8 weeks
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership of the Signal Sighting Committee
* Chair meetings of the Signal Sighting Committee, providing authoritative technical and safety leadership.
* Coordinate participation across Network Rail, Train Operating Companies (TOCs), Freight Operating Companies (FOCs), and project engineering teams.
* Ensure structured, compliant, and evidence‑based decision‑making throughout the committee process.
2. Standards Compliance and Technical Assurance
* Apply mandatory requirements outlined in GE/RT8037 concerning signal positioning, visibility, reading time and human factors.
* Ensure compliance with supportive guidance such as GE/GN8537 and relevant group/functional standards.
* Validate that signal sighting decisions achieve safe driver interpretation and consistent operational outcomes.
3. Signal Sighting Form (SSF) Governance
* Oversee preparation, review, and approval of draft and final Signal Sighting Forms (SSFs).
* Validate sighting assessments derived from desktop tools (including AVIR) and on‑site inspections.
* Provide final sign‑off confirming that signals and indicators meet mandatory sighting criteria.
4. Sighting Assessment Management
* Lead on‑site practical signal sighting activities to verify visibility, environmental factors, and driver viewing angles.
* Oversee supporting analysis including vision plots, group-standard calculations, and documentation updates.
* Ensure mitigation measures are identified and implemented where sighting constraints exist.
5. Risk, Safety, and Human Factors Oversight
* Identify hazards affecting signal perception, including line curvature, gradients, structures, background lighting, and operational complexity.
* Ensure human factors considerations (e.g., reading time, clarity, driver workload) are factored into design and decision‑making.
6. Competence and Compliance Governance
* Maintain competency in line with NR/L2/SIG/50035/23, which defines training and assessment requirements for individuals undertaking signal sighting activities.
* Uphold the requirement that Signal Sighting Chair competence is awarded and maintained exclusively by Network Rail.
Essential Qualifications & Competencies
* Network Rail‑approved Signal Sighting Chairperson Competence (mandatory; only issued by Network Rail).
* Strong understanding of UK signalling principles and lineside assets.
* Demonstrable experience of leading multi‑discipline rail engineering forums or committees.
* Competence in applying GE/RT8037 and associated sighting and visibility standards.
* Understanding of human factors requirements in signalling design.
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