25 Jun 2025
RISSB Connect Edition 85, June 2025
|
No images? Click here 
Edition 85, June 2025 
A message from Alan Fedda | CEO As the financial year draws to a close, I have as the new CEO been in a unique position to explore the work our RISSB team has delivered and achieved over the last 12 months. Overall, we have strengthened our strategic foundations to provide industry leadership, standards, events and programs that advance safety, interoperability, productivity and sustainability across the Australian and New Zealand rail industry. We are on track to deliver on our 2024-25 Work Plan, which included 31 priority projects. However, delivery on its own isn’t enough. So in FY26, we will put more focus to increase uptake of RISSB standards, guidelines and codes to help industry realise the benefits of harmonisation. Working in partnership with the ARA, NTC and Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC), we released the Harmonisation of Rail Standards Research Report which outlines the case for consistent national standards which could save the rail industry billions of dollars. Reform demands more than good intentions – it requires collective action, and this Report is our springboard for action. In a refresh and rejuvenation of RISSB leadership, Dr Gillian Miles commenced as our new Independent Chair in November 2024, with two new Government Appointed Directors joining in early 2025. Dr Miles’ deep expertise in transport reform and stakeholder engagement, and her leadership is already proving instrumental in setting RISSB up for its next phase. A unified vision of rail reform emerged from the 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Conference, as too acknowledgement of the role existing institutions like RISSB will play in that transformation. It is a great opportunity to step up and one that RISSB is ready to take to support the delivery of a safer, smarter, and more connected national rail network. As we transition into FY 2025–26, I am committed to making RISSB a more strategic, practical partner – connecting government and industry, developing outcomes-driven standards, and supporting effective implementation. Our standards must be ready for real-world delivery, and we’ll be there to help our members embed them effectively to bring about improvements in safety, interoperability and productivity. 
RISSB highlights 2024-2531RISSB Standards, codes and guidelines delivered in the FY2024-25 Work Plan 11,200+RISSB product downloads 300+RISSB product Development Group members 2,800+Attended 20 RISSB MasterClass Webinars 250+Attended the 25th RISSB Rail Safety Conference 58Nominations for the 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Awards This financial year, RISSB delivered the planned products, created a National Rolling Stock Register (NRSR), worked with industry to launch a new Authorised Health Professionals Program and facilitated updates to the ALCAM system. At our flagship 25th Rail Safety Conference and Rail Safety Awards, we sensed energy and excitement with reform primed to deliver renewed vigour to the rail industry. Growing attendance of our MasterClass webinars, training sessions, Development Groups and Standing Committees, all reinforce collaboration and action across the rail ecosystem. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTMonitoring Fatigue Risk Management Programs GuidelineRISSB has developed a new Monitoring Fatigue Risk Management Programs Guideline which provides a practical roadmap to safer operations, healthier workers, and fewer fatigue-related incidents on our rail networks. The Guideline is designed to support Rail Transport Operators in meeting their obligations under the Rail Safety National Law, which requires the implementation of effective Fatigue Risk Management Programs (FRMPs). Making the news - RISSB's new standard for wayside chargingRead about RISSB's new Australian standard – AS 7655 Wayside Electrical Charging Interface for Low Emissions Rolling Stock in the Rail Express magazine. AS 7655 provides a consistent set of requirements for the electrical charging interfaces between rolling stock and infrastructure equipment, as part of industry-wide decarbonisation initiatives. 
RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESProduct update - AS 7660 Radio Communication in the Rail CorridorThe review of AS 7660 – Radio Communication in the Rail Corridor, a key standard that defines the requirements for radio communication systems, kicked off this month with its first Development Group meeting. This Standard plays a vital role in mitigating risks associated with rail operations, supporting compliance with the Rail Safety National Law, and ensuring a consistent national approach to rolling stock communications. This review will focus on evaluating the current requirements in light of new technologies and evolving industry practices. The harmonisation of technical requirements will foster interoperability across networks and rolling stock operators, enabling seamless communication between rail safety workers regardless of their location or employer. This approach will also deliver cost savings by improving the efficiency of equipment design and reducing the likelihood of incidents related to incompatible communication systems. Current calls for Public Consultation AS 7523 Rolling Stock Emergency Equipment
AS 7721 Lineside Signals, Indicators and Signal Signage PEOPLE SPOTLIGHTAdrian Hudson 
Adrian is the winner of the inaugural RISSB Development Group Member of the Year Award, a new award to acknowledge the critical role Development Group members play in standards development process. “I’m really humbled to win this award – it certainly wasn’t something I was expecting,” said Adrian. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a Development Group member and supporting RISSB and its standards development process.” The development of a standard involves rigorous technical discussions, careful collaboration to resolve conflicting views, and often, a great deal of patience and persistence. It’s a process that thrives on the quality of the people involved, and we are fortunate to have committed individuals like Adrian on many of our projects. Adrian's contribution to AS 7637 Hydrology and Hydraulics Development Group stands out. As a Subject Matter Expert Adrian made a sterling contribution to the development of this industry-recognised and accredited Australian Standard that is shaping the future of the rail industry. ARI Awards finalists announcedWinners from the RISSB Rail Safety Awards were automatically entered into the RISSB Safety Excellence category of the ARA Rail Industry Awards (Australia and New Zealand) 2025. Finalists for this keenly contested category include:
TRAINING AND EVENTS
Urban Rail ConferenceKeynote address, 26 June | 10:05am Panel discussion, 26
June | 10:35am Horizons 7 - register now, early bird discount available!
The Horizons Program equips safety, technical and operational professionals with the skills and insights required for a successful career in rail. Early bird rates still apply - register now for this unique opportunity, and shape your career using learnings from industry leaders as they talk about topics crucial to the rail industry. Undertake a Derailment InvestigationDates available until November 2025 Investigate Rail Safety IncidentsDates available until November 2025 RISSB MasterClass WebinarsInsights from trialling AI technology in revenue
service 
In case you missed it ..To mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2025, on 3 June we hosted a webinar which provided an overview of the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy Work Plan, including key projects identified at the National Level Crossing Safety Roundtable 2024. The webinar explored the impact of level crossing incidents on transport networks, and discussed the importance of improving level crossing safety as a national imperative. 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.    
|
