Before you begin an assessment of the drivability of an infrastructure arrangement, you will need the following information:

• Details of the project, journey, train and service pattern that will form the scenario you want to assess
• A comprehensive list of the infrastructure features that the driver will encounter and the distances between them. This may need to be derived from a signalling plan or a variety of sources including:
  • A signalling plan
  • The Sectional Appendix
  • A 5 mile diagram
  • Route risk assessments (available from the TOC)
  • Route training material for drivers (available from the TOC)
• Details of the permanent and temporary speed restrictions (PSRs and TSRs) along the route that you want to assess. Details of PSRs are found in the sectional appendix and on signalling diagrams. TSRs are available from the Weekly (or Periodic) Operating Notice.
• Information about the signals along the route including:
  • Sighting times
  • Normal/typical aspect
  • Whether the signal has approach release
  • Whether the signal is on the right or left hand side
  • Whether the signal is on a gantry
  • Whether the driver has un-interrupted view of each signal
• Information about the operation of any level crossings along the route including those “bad actor” user worked crossings that cause the driver to want to check the crossing as they approach it.
• Information about the train service to be modelled including:
  • Train type
  • Stopping pattern
  • Dwell times at the stations the trains stop at

Consider carefully what it is that you want to assess. Do not try to assess too long a stretch of a line.