PUBLICATIONS 

Code of Practice: Shunting Operations in Terminals, Yards and Maintenance Facilities

Shunting in terminals, yards and maintenance facilities is a high-risk activity.  This code of practice will attempt to provide a common set of instructions for the safe movement of rolling stock. The development group is now formed, and the product development will commence with the initial DG meeting scheduled for September.  The guideline will be available to the industry in Q2 2023.

Guideline: Condition Monitoring – Fixed Rail Infrastructure

The Development Group has finished the review of all the feedback received through the independent review, with some changes made to improve the guideline further.

With the completion of the Development Group sign-off, the Guideline will be publicly available in October 2022.

Guideline: Safe Operation of Restricted Access Road Vehicles (RAV) Across Level Crossings

The above guideline has attracted significant interest from the industry.  The development group is now formed, and the product development will commence with the initial DG meeting scheduled for September.  The guideline will be available to the industry in Q2 2023.

GENERAL NEWS

TrackSAFE Foundation – National Level Crossing Safety Forum 

The 2022 Forum, held on 8-9 August in Sydney aimed to collect information of relevance to the key elements of the new National Level Crossing Safety Strategy for consideration by the National Level Crossing Safety Committee.  The content and discussions will be of interest to regulators, government policy makers, state level crossing committee members, academics, safety technology developers and providers and rail industry representatives. More information can be found at Level Crossing Safety Forum.

South Australia orders Australia’s first diesel-hybrid train fleet conversion

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) in South Australia has selected ABB for Australia’s first diesel-hybrid train fleet conversion.

DIT has ordered 44 sets of ABB’s BORDLINE® Energy Storage Systems (ESS), traction integration module, and energy management systems in the upgrade of the passenger trains. The technology will enable an energy efficiency upgrade of around 16%. Each train will deliver a C02 reduction in emissions of 54 tonnes per year, or 2400 tonnes annually for all 44 train sets combined.

Ali Parvizi Traction Sales Manager for ABB in Australia and New Zealand says, “this upgrade maintains the current safety standards, improves passenger comfort and dramatically improves DIT’s sustainable mobility. ABB Australia is proud to be supporting this project in such a major way.”

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

RISSB Safety Managers Group

This week we hosted the latest instalment of RISSB’s Safety Managers Group; our first SMG ‘post-covid’. We were delighted to have railway representatives in our Brisbane offices including senior leaders from ONRSR, ATSB, and ACRI, and as a sign of the times, many more railway people on video from right around the country. We discussed a range of important issues such as contractor management, fire safety, and specific initiatives around the country creating a terrific forum for sharing knowledge. As the world converges on a new (post-COVID) ‘normal’ there have been lots of ideas for how we can maximise the value of this group; watch this space!

ALCAM

This week also marks the latest meeting of the National ALCAM Committee, supported by RISSB. This important group comprises representatives from all Australian jurisdictions and this week they discussed progress on their portfolio of projects to enhance the model and it's usability, and general governance of the tool. This model with a long-standing pedigree is certainly going from strength to strength.

Investigate!

There are now three spots available on the next Investigate Rail Safety Course that is to be held at the Quest, Ascot Perth commencing Tuesday 13th September-Friday 16th September.

This 4-day course provides participants with the understanding of how to conduct rail safety investigations in accordance with regulator, rail industry standards, rules and operational procedures. Registration is available via the training website along with further dates for future courses.  Further information is available from the Training Manager at sweston@rissb.com.au

RISSB Infrastructure Standing Committee

The ISC met this week to discuss a wide range of topics and to provide continued guidance and governance over RISSB’s product development. Key topics included a discussion on the soon to be released Condition Monitoring of Fixed Rail Infrastructure Guideline, RISSBs 2022/23 workplan, and a review of recent change requests. The next ISC meeting is planned for late November.

September Forums

This month sees the following forums come together to network, share ideas and solve real issues:

·         Human Factors Manager’s Group

·         Rolling Stock Standing Committee

·         Signals Passed at Danger

·         Fatigue Risk Management Rail Collaboration Group

Watch out for reports in future Whistle Boards.