Progress Made On A National Rolling Stock Register 

RISSB has traditionally worked on, and is best known for, writing rail industry Standards, Codes of Practices and Guidelines. However, in 2020 we added a new aspect to our workplan – that of ‘Major Projects’.  RISSB’s Major Projects target problem areas for our industry not easily addressed by Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidelines.

A significant project within the major project stream is the development of a national rolling stock register.  To facilitate interoperability and harmonisation, RISSB is seeking to develop a centralised rolling stock register for the rail industry with the necessary technology systems and interfaces to facilitate its usage.

After industry engagement with targeted interviews and discussions, an expression of interest document was developed and issued to interested parties. 

RISSB has received several EOI’s and the submissions are now being reviewed. 

We expect work on a national rolling stock register to commence in the first half of 2021.

Save The Date! Rail Safety Conference 2021

Next year's Rail Safety Conference will be held in Sydney on Tuesday, 4 - Wednesday, 5 May 2021.

The 2021 conference will be held as a face-to-face event with some virtual options.

Look forward to new dedicated streams, local and overseas keynote speakers, a unique after hours networking event, site visits, workshops and more.

More information, including a call for papers, will follow in the coming weeks.

Research Underpinning RISSB Guideline Finalist in Awards

Research underpinning a RISSB Guideline has been recognised in the prestigious 2020 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Higher Education Awards.

Undertaken by A/Prof Anjum Naweed (CQ University) and Dr Janine Chapman (Flinders University), the research informed RISSB’s Guideline for Good Practice in the Management of Rail Driver Health and Wellbeing.

The research was a finalist in the Industry Engagement category, and while it lost out to a COVID-19 project, it’s great recognition on an extremely important topic in rail.

System Safety Guideline

The System Safety Guideline has been under review by the same DG that has been working on the new draft Standard AS 7474.  The Guideline is now at final draft stage and the DG are currently in the process of doing a final review with a view to returning Completion Certificates within the week. 

The Standard is currently being validated, and it is envisaged that both the Standard and Guideline will be issued early in 2021.

The core group of DG members have been very focused and diligent, and their efforts much appreciated by RISSB.

Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) Guideline

Development Group meetings are progressing as planned, with a high level of interest, involvement and support for a a Guideline that meets the needs of the Australian rail industry.

The Guideline uses applicable standards available internationally to address the unique requirements within the Australian context.

The last DG meeting was held this week and industry can expect the Guideline to be available in Q1 2021.

AS 7639 Track Structure and Support Systems

The Development Group met for the first time last week to consider the areas that require a review. 

Relevant updates will be incorporated in a draft document, which will be reviewed by the Development Group early next year. 

The reviewed Standard is expected to be published mid 2021.

AS 7522 Access and Egress

Wheel and Rail Profile Development Guideline

Projects On Parade

Each week we'll showcase a publication in our work plan that we will be, or are currently, progressing.

Publication Type 
Guideline

Publication Name 
Good Practice in Mitigating Safety Risks when Planning Works in the Rail Corridor

Overview
Planners of track works and other works in the rail corridor have a key role in reducing hazards and risks through good planning practices. Good Practice in Mitigating Safety Risks when Planning Works in the Rail Corridor identifies safety risks that are present for works within the rail corridor that can be mitigated through good planning practices and provide guidance on how planners can manage those risks.  

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