26 May 2025
RISSB Connect Edition 84, May 2025
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Edition 84, May 2025 
A message from Alan Fedda | CEO The recent 2025 Rail Safety Conference (13-14 May) was my first opportunity as RISSB CEO to meet many from across the rail industry in the one room to discuss the future of rail standards and hear from so many members what they need from RISSB moving forward. The strength of the conference was reflected in the number of our members and broader rail leaders in attendance from across government and industry, including the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), ONRSR, NTC, ATSB, and OTSI. We are at a pivotal moment to drive safety and productivity gains across the rail industry through the move towards mandatory standards and RISSB recognises that our role needs to evolve to support you in a time of transformative rail reform. The theme of this year’s conference, “Maintaining the Focus on Rail Safety While Driving Ambitious Industry Reform”, set the tone for an industry ready to move forward together with greater alignment across government and industry. As I elaborated in my opening address, reform demands more than good intentions – it demands collective action. RISSB stands ready to help deliver a safer, smarter, and more connected national rail network. Our role must evolve – and will evolve – to be a strategic leader, a practical partner – connecting government and industry, bringing the collective voice to the table, developing outcome-driven standards, and supporting effective implementation. As we look to the future, let’s be bolder, work more closely together, and drive meaningful change. 
LATEST NEWSDriving interoperability: a unified vision for rail reformInteroperability is one of the biggest challenges facing the Australian railway sector. The 25th RISSB Rail Safety Conference in Sydney brought together government and industry leaders to discuss how we can transform Australia’s rail industry. A unified message has emerged – reform is essential, and existing institutions like RISSB will have central role to play. 
Safety Awards demonstrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in rail safetyA huge congratulations to the winners of the 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Awards! Your innovation, leadership, and dedication to safety continue to set the benchmark for the entire rail industry. Emerging Leader
Linda Toovey, Industry Safety Professional 
Kylie Pearse, John Holland Development Group member of the year 
Adrian Hudson, ARTC Community Safety Initiative 
Ollera Creek Emergency Response, Queensland Rail Frontline Worker Safety Initiative 
BallastMate – A safer and smarter way to lay bottom ballast, Martinus Rail Safety Leadership Program 
Real-time access & possession interactive display, Sydney Trains 
National rail reform gathers speedIn an interview with the Rail Express magazine, RISSB Chair Dr Gillian Miles discusses national harmonisation, the introduction of mandatory rail standards and RISSB's evolving role. Dr Miles explains that the mandatory standards are not about heavy regulation, but strategic focus, specifically targeted around interoperability, to give some certainty to the rail industry and confidence for investment. Dr Miles sees a future where RISSB plays a central, strategic role in the rail system – prioritising, coordinating and supporting standards implementation across industry and government. RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESProduct update - AS 7662 Rail Traction Systems – Part 1: General requirementsOver the past 30 years the Australian railway industry has continued to expand urban rail networks to serve the growing metropolitan areas in all capital cities. In many cases this expansion has included the development of new 25kV AC rail traction systems, a clean and efficient way to move thousands of people every day. These systems have been designed, manufactured, and operated in isolation, which can result in inefficiencies and considerable duplication of effort. RISSB, working with subject matter experts from all rail transport operators either using or build 25kV AC networks, have developed Australia’s first 25kV AC rail traction Standard - AS 7662 Rail Traction Systems – Part 1: General requirements. This Standard has been developed using the combined knowledge of all current 25kV AC operators, with the aim to improve safety and drive harmonization in the design and manufacture of 25kV systems. Covering areas such as system design, interface agreements, and safety working distances, AS 7662 also considers the environmental impacts of 25kV system design and how the rail industry should manage these impacts. AS 7662 Rail Traction Systems – Part 1: General requirements is now available for public consultation. Current calls for Public Consultation AS 7523 Rolling Stock Emergency Equipment AS 7721 Lineside Signals, Indicators and Signal Signage Current calls for Development Groups AS 7501 Rolling Stock Compliance Certification AS 7472 Railway Operations – Management of Change TRAINING AND EVENTSStrategic partnership enhances rail safety training in South AustraliaThe RISSB ‘Undertake a Derailment Investigations’ course at the Public Transport South Australia (PTSA) Dry Creek rail facility this month had an international and interstate flavour to it. With participants including representatives from Public Transport South Australia, Sydney Trains, V/Line, and KiwiRail – it was a unique coming together of experts from across the rail sector for three days of immersive, hands-on learning. Our partnership with PTSA demonstrates what can be achieved when national organisations like RISSB collaborate with state-based operators. RISSB MasterClass WebinarsInternational Level Crossing Awareness Day panel 
The State of System Integration in 2025Systra are working on an industry-wide survey examining the current state of systems integration across Australia’s rail and infrastructure sectors. This research aims to capture insights from across the sector to help build a clearer picture of current practices, challenges and opportunities. The survey takes around 5 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain anonymous. Input will help shape an industry-wide conversation and ensure system integration solves critical infrastructure challenges. Industry's partner in co-regulation RISSB supports and works hand in hand with the Australian and New Zealand rail industry to provide the essential tools rail organisations need – good practice Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Rules.    
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