our levels of support
LEVEL 1 — FOCUSED TECHNICAL ADVISORY
A specific technical question. An independent technical view. A clear outcome.
For focused technical challenges, engineering decisions or questions requiring experienced independent judgement.
When you have a question
Not every technical challenge needs a formal review.
Sometimes you need an experienced independent technical perspective to investigate a question, identify relevant requirements or precedent, challenge assumptions and provide a practical route forward.
Typical questions might include:
- Which standard actually applies?
- Is this product suitable for railway application?
- What evidence do we need?
- What are the interface implications?
- Has this been done successfully elsewhere?
- What are the risks if we take this approach?
Typical areas include:
- Standards and requirements
- Technical decisions
- Product or technology questions
- Design risk
- Technical precedent
- Interface considerations
- Evidence requirements
A focused intervention providing independent engineering judgement, practical recommendations and a clear technical outcome.
Typical duration: 1–3 working days
Defined scope | Fixed-fee intervention
LEVEL 2 — INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL REVIEW
For challenges requiring deeper investigation and structured technical assurance.
Suitable for more complex technical issues requiring structured review, evidence assessment and consideration across disciplines or functions.
Typical applications include:
- Signalling Power Dependency Reviews
- Interface Risk Reviews
- Standards & Requirements Reviews
- Product / Technology Application Readiness
- Evidence Gap Reviews
- Design Risk Reduction
- Cross-discipline Alignment
- Technical Assurance
Outputs are defined around the specific technical challenge and may include structured review reports, risk registers, dependency mapping, evidence assessments and executive summaries.
Typical duration: 1–2 weeks
Defined scope | Fee agreed according to requirement
LEVEL 3 — ENHANCED REVIEW
Ongoing independent technical leadership for projects, programmes and organisations.
For clients requiring continuing independent technical authority, governance and assurance.
Support may include:
- Independent technical assurance
- Technical governance
- Design and integration oversight
- Technical decision support
- Interface management
- Product and technology introduction
- Engineering risk management
Typical duration: By assignment
Structured around the required period, workload and level of involvement.
SPECIFIC TECHNICAL OFFERINGS
The following services can be delivered through the appropriate level of support depending on the complexity and requirements of the assignment.
SIGNALLING POWER DEPENDENCY & INTERFACE RISK REVIEW
Independent review of signalling power dependencies, interfaces and technical risk.
DESIGN RISK REDUCTION
Independent technical challenge to identify and address risks before they become embedded in design or delivery.
TECHNICAL ASSURANCE & GOVERNANCE
Independent support for technical decisions, assurance activities and engineering governance.
PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTION
Independent railway perspective for products and technologies being considered for application within the railway.
SUPPLIER & MANUFACTURER SUPPORT
Independent technical support for organisations developing or introducing products and technologies into rail.
TRAINING & MENTORING
Specialist technical development, knowledge transfer and engineering support.
SUPPLIER & MANUFACTURER SUPPORT
FROM PRODUCT TO RAILWAY APPLICATION
ASAVRAIL supports suppliers and manufacturers seeking to introduce products and technologies into the railway.
A technology proven in another safety-critical environment can provide valuable evidence and experience.
However, proven elsewhere does not automatically mean proven for railway application.
ASAVRAIL can provide an independent railway engineering perspective to consider:
What is transferable?
What is different?
What evidence is required?
What additional value can the technology offer rail?
This can help suppliers develop a stronger, evidence-based technical proposition and better understand the railway environment in which their technology will need to operate.
who we support
ASAVRAIL provides independent technical support to:
- Infrastructure Managers
- Designers & Consultants
- Contractors
- Suppliers & Manufacturers
- Project & Engineering Teams
Support can be provided at a specific project stage or as part of longer-term technical authority arrangements.
NEED AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL VIEW?
Have a technical question, engineering challenge, design decision or emerging technology that needs an independent railway perspective?
START WITH THE CHALLENGE
You don't necessarily need to define the entire scope before making contact.
ASAVRAIL can help determine the appropriate level of support.
