2017 RISSB Rail Safety Conference

At the beginning of the month we held the 17th annual Rail Safety Conference at the Pullman Hotel in Brisbane.

I’m pleased to inform that the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive.

It is our firm belief that the most effective way for rail safety to move forward in Australia is for all stakeholders across the industry to work together. Hence, we thought it appropriate that the theme for the 2017 Conference be ‘Enhancing Safety through Collaboration’

We aimed to provide high quality guest speakers who would give delegates beneficial insights into the workings of the rail industry. Based off the feedback we have received from delegates, it would seem the 2017 speakers didn’t disappoint with the following presentations receiving special mention:

•            Ravi Ravitharan, Director, Institute of Railway Technology;

•            Focus session with the Office of the National Rail Safety  Regulator;

•            Sue McCarrey, Chief Executive, ONRSR;

•            Naomi Frauenfelder, Executive Director, TrackSAFE Foundation; and

•            Karlie Southwood, Rail Safety Director, GoldlinQ.

I want to thank all the speakers who presented at the Conference and we hope that the 2018 presentations will be of the same high calibre.

In addition, another objective of the Conference was to facilitate good networking opportunities between stakeholders in the Australian rail industry. If we are to enhance our levels of collaboration across the industry, then it is paramount that we network effectively.

Again, I’m pleased to say that based on the feedback we have received, many of the delegates felt that the Conference provided great networking opportunities which will assist them in the future.  

I want to also thank delegates who have provided us with feedback on what they believe to be the key challenges that they will confront over the next 6-12 months.

This is incredibly useful information that will enable RISSB to continue to develop products for the rail industry that adequately address the most pressing issues facing our members.

Thank you again to all those who attended and we hope that next year’s conference will be just as successful.

Public Consultation Callouts

The following RISSB Products have been released for Public Consultation.

Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the drafts which are now available for download from the RISSB website:

__________________________________________________________

Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) Brake Code of Practice.

Overview: Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) Brake Code of Practice provides guidance and recommended practices for the configuration and operation of trains that are fitted with electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes for use in the Australian rail industry.

Click here to download the draft standard.

Closing date for comments is Wednesday 3 May 2017.

Please ensure the comments are detailed within the copy of the draft CoP using the PDF commenting tools available within Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

Any comments on the draft CoP can be submitted by emailing ahowie@rissb.com.au. 

_____________________________________________________________

AS 7508 Track Forces and Stresses

Overview: AS 7508 Track Forces and Stresses provides the requirements to limit the forces and contact stresses exerted on the track by rolling stock. The main purpose of the requirements is to contain the degradation of the track to economically sustainable levels.

Click here to download the draft standard.

Closing date for comments is Friday 9 June 2017.

Please ensure the comments are detailed within the copy of the draft Standard using the PDF commenting tools available within Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

Any comments on the draft Standard can be submitted by emailing ahowie@rissb.com.au.