I am pleased to announce the second INCOSE UK North West Group meeting. The agenda of the meeting is: A technical presentation titled "Train Zero: Applying a Model Based Design Approach to the Development of Bombardier's Crossrail Rolling Stock" (45 - 60 mins) Local Group business will be a discussion on how and where best to meet There is no charge for attendance at these events but places must be booked in advance. To book, obtain directions or for any other questions, please contact me at s.taylor2@fnc.co.uk or on +44 (0)1925 404018. Can members please confirm there attendance by 12:00 Monday 10 May 2016. Otherwise if there are not enough members planning to attend, the meeting will be cancelled.

Click here to register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eating-the-elephant-reference-design-for-etcs-tickets-25040493791 Introducing the European Train Control System (ETCS) to the GB rail network is a challenging task with so many stakeholders to satisfy and European legislation to follow. Most people assume that since the system is defined at the European level then it should be a case of buying it, plugging it in and off you go. The reality is that it is designed to operate in many different situations and is continually being developed to meet the needs of the European industry. The variety of solutions available and already implemented leads to misunderstanding and misconceptions of how the system will operate. The lack of clarity means that it is hard for the various users to establish what they want, what they need and what they can afford. It also leads to high expectations with politicians and government believing the “hype” and then being disappointed when it cannot be fulfilled. Network Rail, on behalf of the industry, have been analysing how to apply ETCS to establish the requirements using a process known as the Reference Design. The process has been around dividing the problem into manageable chunks, undertaking analysis, collaborating and eating that elephant a bit at a time – bring your knife and fork! Please click here to register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eating-the-elephant-reference-design-for-etcs-tickets-25040493791

The increasing complexity of train control and communications systems, and the growing extent to which they are integrated with other railway sub-systems, makes a structured systems-based approach to engineering essential. A basic grounding in the discipline of systems engineering is now a vital component of the education of train control and communications engineers. In this seminar, organised with the help of of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), expert speakers will explain why systems engineering is so important, what the fundamentals of systems engineering are and how these fundamentals may be applied to train control systems projects, illustrated with case studies from ETCS in Europe, Docklands Light Railway and elsewhere. The seminar will consider the people, process and product aspects of systems engineering, and in facilitated break-out sessions we will discuss the challenges and benefits of applying systems engineering to railway projects. In addition to hearing from the experts, there will be an opportunity, in facilitated breakout sessions, for delegates to discuss the challenges and benefits of applying systems engineering to railway projects and to contribute to the debate on how best to apply SE to train control and communications projects. The seminar is suitable for railway train control and communications engineers and other railway professionals with an interest in train control and communications at all stages of their careers. Register to attend For more information and to register please visit the IRSE website event page: http://www.irse.org/events/Lists/Calendar/DispEvent.aspx?List=dce14d1c-69ec-4c8e-b381-70b8e5cfdda6&ID=433 Programme 8:30 Arrival / Coffee 9.00 Welcome and Introductions – Francis How, IRSE 9.10 Keynote Presentation: Network Rail’s view on System’s Engineering – Jon Shaw, NR Jon will outline the systems engineering approach now being adopted by Network Rail for its £24Bn Railway Upgrade Plan for stations and infrastructure enhancements 9.40 What is Systems Engineering? – Bruce Elliott, Altran Bruce will briefly review the history of SE before summarising the view of SE taken by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). He will acknowledge the existence of superficially different views about what SE is but he show that there is very broad underlying agreement on some core ideas 10.10 Break 10.40 Docklands Light Railway – Geoff Mitchell, DLR and Karl King, Mott MacDonald Geoff and Karl will explain the importance and value of systems engineering in the delivery, delivery and continual asset management of a modern CBTC system using the Docklands Light Railway as an example. Particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of a clearly defined Concept of Operation and its central role in the system lifecycle. 11.20 Beyond Systems Engineering in European ETCS Rollout – Oskar Stalder, OS Consulting and Markus Bolli, Suprexa Oskar and Markus will discuss the practical challenges of the V-model considering roles and rules in the EU context to make ETCS a success. They will look at the challenges of managing the complex organisation approaches and management of the multiple engineering processes as well as experiences of different networks and their specific approaches throughout Europe, including how Systems Engineering can help to overcome these challenges. 12.00 Breakout Session: What are the potential benefits of Systems Engineering for signalling projects and what are the obstacles to applying Systems Engineering to signalling projects? Split into syndicates of more than 10 people, each with an organizer acting as a syndicate facilitator. The facilitator should guide the group towards accumulating on a flip-chart or post-its, three lists: potential benefits of SE for signalling projects obstacles to applying Systems Engineering to signalling projects other remarks The facilitator consolidates the results from the syndicates onto a couple of slides 12.40 Lunch 13:30 Review of breakout session We reconvene as one group. The nominated facilitator presents the consolidated output and facilitates a short general discussion to see if consensus can be reached on the principal benefits and obstacles. 14:00 Systems Thinking for Optimising Signalling Design – Clive Roberts NS Felix Schmid, University of Birmingham The design of railway control systems involves many trade-offs and rule-based approaches tend to lead to suboptimal solutions since they do not make best use of all components of the system of systems. A number of national and international projects have developed system oriented modelling and simulation tools that allow optimisation at different levels of granularity. Clive and Felix will discuss the capability of some of the tools and will include case studies of small and large operations optimisation projects. 14.40 Good Practice in Systems Engineering – Peter Parker, Siemens Rail Peter will present on examples of good practice of utilising systems engineering for delivering modern signalling systems from the perspective of an equipment manufacturer and supplier. 15:20 Break 15:50 Human Factors of Railway Systems – Elaine Thompson, Mott MacDonald Elaine will cover the importance of integrating human factors into the design of railway sub-systems, and the risks of not considering the human element. Some case studies of previous work on both the in-cab and train control elements of the system will be presented. 16.30 Conclusions 16.50 End / Networking Register to attend For more information and to register please visit the IRSE website event page: http://www.irse.org/events/Lists/Calendar/DispEvent.aspx?List=dce14d1c-69ec-4c8e-b381-70b8e5cfdda6&ID=433

This 5-Day course addresses systems engineering as it is understood and practised by leading acquirer, developer and supplier organisations worldwide. Our Systems Engineering training provides an integrated approach to the set of management and technical disciplines, which combine to optimise system effectiveness, enhance project success and reduce risk. Brochure - Register Now

The Event: The System Centre at the University of Bristol invites the INCOSE UK BLG to hear about their latest systems engineering research activities. Three existing PhD and EngD research students will present on their current work, providing attendees with opportunities to question, review, and possibly even contribute to their ongoing research activities. Prof. Colin Talor of the Systems Centre will also provide an introduction to the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC). A collaboration of 14 UK Universities, which has secured a £138 million government investment "to develop new materials and engineering solutions that will deliver world-class infrastructure up and down the country.” This provides opportunities for the wider community through the research and investment in Bristol. This Talk is For: Anyone interested in finding out more and potentially contributing tto the systems research currently being undertaken by the University of Bristol. Extra Benefits: INCOSE Continuous Professional Development (CPD) units are also available for attending this event. Directions: The Queens Building can be accessed from University Walk. Staff will be available in the Queens Building to direct you to the venue. Car parking is free in Woodland Road after 6pm and there is a multi-storey car park in Trenchard Street.

This 5-Day course addresses systems engineering as it is understood and practised by leading acquirer, developer and supplier organisations worldwide. Our Systems Engineering training provides an integrated approach to the set of management and technical disciplines, which combine to optimise system effectiveness, enhance project success and reduce risk. Brochure - Register Now