Policy, Operations & Engineering

The Policy, Operations and Engineering teams are part of the Trade Association work of ATOC. There are five main areas of activity all of which are undertaken in close liaison with train operators and their parent companies:

	Policy Development. The UK passenger rail sector works within a highly regulated environment. It is important that the views of train operators are taken into account in the development of UK legislation; EU legislation ; the development of the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland’s approach to franchising; agreements with Network Rail; and the development and application of regulatory policy by the ORR.
	Railway Planning. ATOC works with Network Rail and Government to influence investment priorities for the rail industry. An example is the joint work we are undertaking with Network Rail and Freight companies on the long term priorities for rail.
	Operations. ATOC has established a voluntary scheme which brings together the professional operators from within train companies. Issues addressed include ways of improving the performance of the railway; safety; operating standards; and security.  ATOC Operations is also the host of the rail industry’s Adhesion Working Group (AWG) web page.
	Engineering. The ATOC engineering scheme provides a forum where the engineering directors of train companies can discuss issues of common interest and commission work aimed at reducing train delays caused by rolling stock issues; safety issues relating to rolling stock engineering; ways of improving the efficiency of train operators; and the development of technical standards.
	Major Projects. The ATOC engineering team works closely with Network Rail on major train control investment projects.