The Whistle Board Newsletter – No. 74, August 2020

SPAD Investigations Proforma Project Attracts Strong Industry Involvement 

17 major rail organisations are involved in RISSB’s SPAD Investigations Proforma project.

Covering freight, RIMs, light rail and heavy passenger rail, this representation will ensure a proforma is developed with broad industry involvement. The project aims to develop a practical SPAD investigation proforma (i.e. RISSB “Form”) for use by the Australian and New Zealand rail industry. It is likely different forms will be developed for light rail and heavy rail (passenger and freight).

The rail organisations involved are: ALTRAC (Sydney Light Rail), ARTC, Queensland Rail, Aurizon, Pacific National, Sydney Trains, NSW Trainlink, KiwiRAIL, Gold Coast Light Rail, V/Line, Yarra Trams, MTM, DPTI (SA), PTAWA, Arc Infrastructure, TransDEV Auckland and TransDEV Sydney.  

The project is being led by researchers at CQ University in collaboration with Flinders University and the University of South Australia.

RISSB Launches Next Phase of Work in Train Control Interoperability 

On the back of RISSB’s recent work “Assessment of interoperability issues from the proposed introduction of new train control systems," RISSB has kicked off its next phase of activity which will: 

• Explore choices to ensure that interoperability options do not compromise operating outcomes or efficiencies
• Look at broad technical options as well as broad cost and operating impacts
• Develop an interoperability impact plan, focusing on finding approaches to the challenges and opportunities identified in the first phase of work.

As work progresses, RISSB intends to host a workshop for technical experts in the coming weeks.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Jesse Baker, RISSB GM Innovation and Major Projects via email jbaker@rissb.com.au. 
Places are strictly limited

RISSB On Track with Track Worker Safety Program

Announced earlier this year, RISSB has embarked on a substantial program of work that will protect the safety of our vital track workers. Significant progress has been made in three key areas:

1.       The work that RISSB and ONRSR have commissioned through ACRI - “Track Worker Safety Solutions for Rail”  has uncovered some very compelling, mature and viable technologies/systems. Later stages of this project will involve an engagement survey and workshops to gather insights and leverage the expertise of stakeholders.

2.       The National Rules Industry Reference Group has approved the continuation of work on a national communications rule after being presented with preliminary gap analyses. RISSB will now continue working with the cross-industry technical group to draft the rule which will be released later this year. 

3.       A subset of RISSB’s Safety Standing Committee has formed into a group focusing on leveraging off each other’s efforts in track worker safety. The group, comprising representatives from ARTC, Sydney Trains, Metro Trains Melbourne and Queensland Rail will have its inaugural meeting on Friday, 7 August 2020.

Projects On Parade

Each week we'll showcase a publication in our 2020 / 2021 work plan that we will progressing in the coming year.

Publication Type 
Standard

Publication Name 
Safety Critical Communications

Overview
Communications are a critical part of the safety operations of a railway system. Ensuring that information is clearly communicated and understood is a key focus of industry bodies including RISSB.

This Standard will complement the current work on the National Rules, and will provide industry with a key set of requirements and recommendations to assist in developing safety critical communication protocols.

The Standard will focus on written and spoken communications, including standardising terms and definitions.

Standards Development Manager 
Cris Fitzhardinge - cfitzhardinge@rissb.com.au

Acknowledging John Fullerton

In the flood of tributes from the rail community and further afield RISSB, also would like to acknowledge and celebrate John Fullerton's decades long contribution to the Australian rail industry.

John has played a critical role in helping the rail industry adapt to significant changes in rail during periods of intense local and global pressures, significant technological advancements, and rapid development.

John was a devout supporter of RISSB, promoting the use of RISSB Standards in his own organisation and championing safety across industry.

We would like to thank him for his support and friendship as a leader, acknowledge his unwavering commitment to enforcing safety, and for his contributions in helping shape a better, and more efficient rail sector.

We wish John all the best with his future endeavours. 

Digital Engineering in 2020: What You Need to Know

Digital Engineering (DE) is currently transforming the way projects are planned and delivered, and will enable the future of smart infrastructure and digital twin technologies. For DE to provide the greatest benefits, asset data and information must be created and managed using consistent standards and digital processes.

Join Simon Vaux, Director of Digital Engineering, Transport for NSW at 12PM (AEST) on Tuesday, 11 August 2020 for RISSB's webinar #19 and hear about his agency's DE work and the exciting opportunities ahead for DE and transport infrastructure.

Please click on the blue 'Register Now' button to reserve your place in next week's webinar.

Missed this week's webinar? 
All past webinars have been recorded and are available on this https://www.rissb.com.au/home/webinars/ page. Simply find a presenter's name and click on the 'Watch' button near it.

Call for Public Consultation – AS 7703 Railway Signalling – Power Supply Systems