The Whistle Board Newsletter – No. 181 October 2022

PUBLICATIONS 

Calls For Development Group Members

AS 7505 Signalling Detection Interface

Using Bio Mathematical Models To Manage Fatigue Guideline

Calls For Public Consultation

AS 7726 Interface Between Train Control Systems And Rolling Stock

AS 1085.12 Railway Track Material Part 12: Insulated Joint Assemblies

AS 1085.19 Railway Track Material: Part 19: Resilient Fastening Assemblies

Recruitment And Training Of Network Control Officers Code Of Practice

AS 7503 Train Identification Update

The AS 7503 Development Group has been working hard on reviewing the current draft against industry norms regarding rolling stock identification.

This review has identified a need for a nationally consistent approach to AEI tags and the coding which supports their use.

New technologies have also been included, with recommendations for new identification signs for locomotives using alternate fuels such as hydrogen.

The Development Group will meet next week to discuss these topics and agree on a path forward.

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

RISSB Progresses Collaboration Agreement With UIC 

Earlier this week RISSB’s General Manager Strategy & Stakeholder Relations met with the International Union of Railways in Paris to progress an agreement on collaboration. It is expected the agreement will cover key topics such as:

* Safety
* Interoperability
* Standards
* Codes of Practice 
* Sustainable development
* Risk and data management.

The agreement will recognise the mutual benefit that can be derived from further exchange of information between both organisations and will be supported at senior / executive level during regular meetings to further identify opportunities to cooperate.

RISSB At The New Zealand Rail Conference

This week RISSB was very pleased to be able to attend, and contribute to, ARA’s New Zealand Rail Conference.

It was a tremendous event with very high profile speakers. Presentations covered NZ’s exciting nation building projects such as Auckland’s significant light rail project; other themes included policy/regulatory aspects, leadership, sustainability, skills shortages and learnings from international experiences – important subjects for all railways.

RISSB’s Jesse Baker was very grateful to be able to contribute to a panel session on innovation and technology and how we can leverage those for maximum benefit. Well done to all for a valuable event!

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Ask RISSB Q4 2022

We're hosting our next live Q&A event online on Monday, 17 October at 12PM (AEDT).

Our final Ask RISSB for 2022 will be delivered as an hour long webinar giving you the opportunity to meet our new CEO (virtually) and hear about his plans for the future, find out what projects RISSB will be delivering over the next eight months and hear how our national rolling stock register project will benefit the Australian rail industry. Plus we're leaving time for questions.

This is your chance to ask the CEO, the General Manager of Major Projects and Innovation, or the Standards Development Managers a question about RISSB or comment on our role in helping drive interoperability and harmonisation.  So, get involved and help us help you.

Send your questions for Ask RISSB and comments to info@rissb.com.au by 9AM, Monday 17 October 2022.

RISSB & ARA Type Approvals Research Launch 

Tuesday, 25 October will mark the official launch of The Cost of Australian Type Approval Processes research report prepared by Synergies Economic Consulting on behalf of RISSB and the ARA.

This seminal work is helping to shine a spotlight on the scale of effort and resources that go into type approving rail equipment every year.

RISSB’s AS 7702 – Rail Equipment Type Approval provides a common framework for the railway to evaluate novel or modified products for type approval and this study reinforces that AS 7702 must be applied appropriately and judiciously to ensure that the industry strikes the right balance between innovation and safety for maximum benefit.

The Synergies Economic Consulting presentation will be followed  by a Q&
A session with RISSB and the ARA.

The presentation starts at 12PM (AEDT) and runs for one hour. To register to attend, simply click the blue button below this story.

Introduction To Rail Safety October Promotion

This month is Safe Work Month and to celebrate we're offering our members a 25% discount on our online course Introduction to Rail Safety. 

This foundation course has broad application across the rail industry and is perfect for anyone new to rail, and ideal for anyone who needs to understand the basics of rail safety.

Among other things, you will learn: 

* Why rail safety is important and key terms such as co-regulation and SFAIRP
*The laws and rules relevant to rail safety
*The basic elements of a Safety Management System
* What rail safety work is
* The obligations a person has as a rail safety worker.

* Book online between 17 and 31 October 2022 to receive the discount. Simply log into your user account and go to this page: https://www.rissb.com.au/eb-courses/

For more information about bookings and payment, email training@rissb.com.au

GENERAL NEWS

News Shorts

Victorian strategy to build rail skills

New discussion paper provides guiding principles on decarbonisation of public infrastructure

Rail operators, transport companies to optimise freight network use

Perth’s new underground Forrestfield-Airport rail link officially opens