TRAIN DRIVER IN CAB ATTENTION & ALERTNESS MONITORING DEVICE

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/185/25

13th  November 2025

 

To: The Secretary

All Branches and Regional Councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

TRAIN DRIVER IN CAB ATTENTION & ALERTNESS MONITORING DEVICE

 

Background:

In August I wrote to all RMT train driver members in relation to the RSSB project “Driver Attention and Alertness IMP-T1193”.  This is a trial of in-cab attention and alertness monitoring devices currently being trialled on a limited number of LNER, C2C and DB Cargo trains.  The equipment activates when the driver shows signs of fatigue. 

 

The trial is overseen by a steering group which meets monthly and is attended by officers from the train companies involved, as well as ORR, RSSB, ASLEF and RMT (our involvement was only following my remonstrations with RSSB that they hadn’t initially invited us).) 

 

As you can see from previous NEC decision on this issue: https://rmtunion.org/496gYqS) RMT oppose the use of such devices in driving cabs. In my letter to RMT driver members of 1^st August, you can see what I have done to action the previous decision: https://rmtunion.org/3LvJ5Wq. RMT view is that fatigue monitoring equipment does not constitute an appropriate control measure for loss of alertness or consequences of fatigue in operational rail staff including train drivers. 

 

The project lead RSSB has told RMT that on completion of the trial the monitoring system could be shut down and would not be used “without industry agreement”. The more I learn about the project and the reasons it was established - the more convinced I am that the equipment will be rolled to be fitted in all driving cabs - irrelevant of the trial outcomes.   

 

Recent update:

The lead officer provided an update report on the progression of the trial, and the October RSSB steering group meeting where it was reported that:

• DB Cargo were experiencing problems with getting some of their drivers to cooperate with the trial 
• On LNER the roll out of the project was facing delays caused by difficulty in positioning the equipment to allow for effective working.

 

In response ORR offered their help in winning drivers over, they thought it important to explain that the equipment will be of benefit to drivers. ORR agreed to share the principals on the use of the equipment which set out what regulator expects it to be used for. (It was explained that the previous ORR chief inspector had made it clear he would enforce implementation of the equipment – but that that by holding a trial first allowed all interested parties to work out how best the equipment can be used). 

 

In relation to this to such matters, at its meeting on 23^rd September 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its H&S subcommittee:

We note the report from the Lead Officer – the contents of which make interesting reading given RMT opposition to this RSSB project.

We instruct the General Secretary to:

• write an article for RMT News (with pull out poster). The article to be based on the Lead Officers report, making clear RMT opposition to the project 
• distribute the article via RMT social media accounts 
• request from ORR (or RSSB) the ORR principles document on the use of fatigue monitoring equipment and also the memo from the former ORR chief inspector on his intention to force the use of in cab fatigue monitoring equipment if interested parties did not engage in the RSSB trial of the equipment.                                                                                                 

Branches, Regional Councils and relevant members to be informed accordingly. 

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members. 

Yours sincerely

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary