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2007 Goals and Progress

Group Goals and Progress

Goals set for 2007 Progress during 2007
  • The continued roll-out to new vehicles of the CCTV system developed in TWM and the evaluation of retrofitting
  • All new buses in the UK are now fitted with CCTV, and all 40 vehicles at Bordesley Green garage have been retrofitted
  • The development of a comprehensive safety management system in the bus and coach divisions, taking account of good practice elsewhere, to drive further accident reduction
  • A combined safety management system has been prepared for the bus and coach division following UK integration. This system takes account of experience and developments from elsewhere within the Group
  • Trials of new technology and processes to improve the competence management system for train drivers
  • National Express East Anglia has introduced comprehensive changes to its competence management system for drivers, enabling it to make effective use of the new driver simulators
  • Sharing of good practice developed in our North American safety management systems and initiatives in accident prevention to other Group companies
  • Good practice in safety is shared widely across the Group, and initiatives such as the concept of “preventability” in accident analysis, senior managers’ safety tours, and the development of written safety management systems have all been developed and implemented


Coach Goals and Progress

Goals set for 2007 Progress during 2007
  • Deliver defensive driving courses to all poor performing and new drivers over the next two years
  • Program commenced in 2007 with new drivers receiving the training as part of new driver training process. The Competence Management System for drivers is being further refined during 2008 to take into account the forthcoming driver CPC requirement
  • Extension of driver fatigue trial and undertake further work with “AWAKE” a body affiliated to Loughborough University
  • Further screening for drivers to detect those possibly suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea was undertaken. Work progressed with AWAKE to analyse work rotas with a view to determining higher risk rotas. Work will continue in 2008 to identify protocols for rota development which include best practice for fatigue reduction
  • Deliver a training package to all driver trainers to enable fatigue reduction/lifestyle to be included as part of driver induction
  • A driver fatigue guidance document has been produced which is given to new drivers. Work continues on the syllabus for the forthcoming CPC to ascertain if fatigue awareness can be included
  • On-going review of driver standards
  • The Competence Management System (CMS) for drivers has been reviewed.
  • Introduction of slip, trip and fall toolkit at four locations to evaluate the effectiveness of reducing customer and employee accidents
  • This process has been started with all coach station sites to receive the toolkit in 2008


Bus Goals and Progress

Goals set for 2007 Progress during 2007
  • A further 500 main route risk assessments to be undertaken during 2007
  • Route risk assessments have been carried out on starter routes and key corridors in an attempt to target the higher risk routes as a priority.  The process is ongoing
  • Increased communication to drivers of assessment results
  • Individuals at each location have been appointed to carry out the assessments, providing a recognised contact.  Assessments have been distributed in a variety of ways, including adding them to running boards, and regular updates on notice boards
  • More regular, structured reviews for new drivers with six months formal assessments

  • This has been implemented

  • Embedding of assessments into garage management procedures
  • Assessments are being used in the accident investigation process, as well as being incorporated into the garage based instruction scheme
  • Continued investment into CCTV/driver management system. 120 new buses to be fitted with the system with an ongoing programme of retrofitting the equipment
  • The schedule for retrofit was achieved during 2007 and will continue through 2008.  New vehicles added to the fleet will already have the system installed


Train Goals and Progress

Goals set for 2007 Progress during 2007
  • Continuous improvement in improving SPADS
  • SPAD performance improved by 16% in 2007, with all of National Express train operating companies showing improvement.
  • Trials of new systems to further improve train driver competence management
  • We’ve completed trials of driver training on the new train simulators and this process is continuing


North America Goals and Progress

Goals set for 2007 Progress during 2007
  • Each customer service centre management team to complete an analysis of accidents and injuries from the prior year and identify and implement corrective measures to address any trends
  • Accident and Injury analysis was completed by the majority of CSCs with improved safety focus on specific local trends.  This annual action item will be completed within all CSC’s in 2008
  • NA – Review our approach to Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Occupational Heath and Safety Act (OHSA) compliance. Develop and implement an action plan to address areas requiring improvement
  • The OSHA programme review was completed in July of 2007.  The Area Directors are developing an action plan to freshen and update our programmes with anticipated completion during the 2008-2009 school year


ALSA Goals and Progress

Goals set for 2007 Progress during 2007
  • Implementation of training plans for drivers in order to reduce the accident rate
  • During 2007 a total of 6,606 training hours were given to 1,060 drivers in the 14 scheduled courses
  • 15% decrease in the number of accidents in its first working year after the implemented actions.
  • Introduction of the concept of preventability in accident analysis
  • Development of a specific plan for the identification of black spots and of training actions to improve accident rates
  • Trials of new safety equipment in new vehicles
  • The new Supra vehicle is equipped with the most advanced active safety systems currently available in the market. In 2007 we added SPA (a warning system); DBL (Continuous Breaking Limiter, ensuring speed uniformity and preventing the vehicle from surpassing maximum speed limits); and ART (a sensor detecting whether there is a vehicle in front and automatically adjusting the speed of the bus to the preceding vehicle)
  • Use of a virtual driving simulator in driver training
  • Two new driving simulators are now being used in driver training
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