RR-15 RR-15-02-01 — Operating Plan and Service Assurance Plan
This process outlines the development and implementation of an Operating Plan and Service Assurance Plan for a US Class I freight railroad, focusing on optimizing train schedules, ensuring safety compliance, and enhancing service reliability.
🗺 BPMN Process Flow
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📋 Process Attributes
| Process ID | RR-15-02-01 |
|---|---|
| Domain Family | CORPORATE |
| L1 Domain | Merger & Network Integration |
| L2 Process Group | Operating Plan and Service Assurance Plan |
| Trigger | Initiated by the Chairman/CEO or Integration Program Management Office (PMO) lead upon the announcement of a merger or significant network integration project. |
| Outcome | Successful completion results in an updated Operating Plan and Service Assurance Plan that improves train schedules, enhances safety measures, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. |
| Systems | NetControl I-ETMS (Interoperable Electronic Train Management System) Umler EHMS (Equipment Health Management System) Wabtrax |
| Regulatory Hooks | 49 CFR Part 232 GCOR (General Code of Operating Rules) |
📋 L4 Process Steps
| Step | Name | Role | System | Input | Output | KPI | Pain Point / Risk | Decision? | Exception? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Initiate Planning Process | Integration Program Management Office (PMO) lead | NetControl / TCS cutover precedent | Merger or network integration proposal | Planning kickoff meeting agenda | Time to initiate planning within 30 days of trigger | Resource allocation for new planning team | Y | N |
| 1.2 | Define Service Objectives | Service Design / Network Planning Analyst | NetControl (service design use) | Planning kickoff meeting agenda | Service objectives document | Number of service objectives defined within 60 days | Balancing safety and operational efficiency | Y | N |
| 1.3 | Develop Train Schedules | Train Dispatcher | NetControl | Service objectives document | Initial train schedule draft | Number of trains scheduled per day within 90 days | Meeting regulatory requirements like 49 CFR Part 232 | Y | Y |
| 1.4 | Review and Adjust Schedules | VP Network Planning & Operations | I-ETMS (Interoperable Electronic Train Management System) | Initial train schedule draft | Adjusted train schedule | Number of adjustments made within 30 days | Ensuring compliance with 49 CFR Part 217 | Y | N |
| 1.5 | Conduct Safety Audits | Car Inspector (Carman) | EHMS (Equipment Health Management System) | Adjusted train schedule | Safety audit report | Number of safety audits conducted within 60 days | Identifying potential air brake test defects | Y | Y |
| 1.6 | Update Operating Rules | Integration Program Management Office (PMO) lead | Umler | Safety audit report | Updated operating rules document | Time to update rules within 90 days | Coordinating with regulatory bodies | Y | N |
| 1.7 | Implement Service Assurance Measures | Train Dispatcher | NetControl | Updated operating rules document | Service assurance plan implementation plan | Number of service assurance measures implemented within 120 days | Monitoring train speed and terminal dwell times | Y | N |
| 1.8 | Monitor Performance | Control Operator | Wabtrax | Service assurance plan implementation plan | Performance monitoring report | Number of performance metrics tracked daily | Real-time data collection and analysis | Y | N |
| 1.9 | Review and Optimize | Service Design / Network Planning Analyst | NetControl (service design use) | Performance monitoring report | Optimization plan | Number of optimizations made within 180 days | Balancing cost and performance | Y | N |
| 1.10 | Finalize Operating Plan | Integration Program Management Office (PMO) lead | NetControl / TCS cutover precedent | Optimization plan | Finalized operating plan and service assurance plan | Time to finalize plans within 240 days | Stakeholder approval | Y | N |
📊 KPIs & Risk Register
KPIs
Terminal dwell under 24 hours Train speed above 20 mph Number of trains scheduled per day Number of safety audits conducted Time to update rules Number of service assurance measures implemented Number of performance metrics tracked daily Number of optimizations made
Key Risks
Air brake test defect released to the road Non-compliance with regulatory requirements like 49 CFR Part 232 Delays in stakeholder approval Inaccurate data leading to suboptimal schedules Resource constraints affecting planning and implementation
Swim Lanes
Integration Program Management Office (PMO) lead · 1.1, 1.6, 1.10 Service Design / Network Planning Analyst · 1.2, 1.9 Train Dispatcher · 1.3, 1.7 VP Network Planning & Operations · 1.4 Car Inspector (Carman) · 1.5 Control Operator · 1.8