RISSB Connect Edition 23, July 2023

Edition 23, July 2023

INSIDE THIS EDITION

+ CEO Message
+ The industry welcomes 2 new senior leaders
+ International cooperation on light rail /trams
+ AS 7503- rail Vehicle Identification and Markings
+ RISSB has Initial Introduction with HSRA

CEO Message

At this week’s RISSB Master Class Webinar we had a fantastic presentation from Amy Lezala Zahr (Chief Engineer – Rail, Network Design & Integration) and Eva Wintersberger (Strategic Asset Management Director) – both from the Victorian Department of Transport & Planning.  Whilst both these speakers are more than qualified to talk about the engineering and asset management aspects of major projects, the main focus of the presentation was on how to realise a major project’s business and social benefits – achieving these outcomes involves far more than just good engineering!  The engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning are all important elements, and so too are the “soft” skills (I don’t like that term as they’re actually very hard!) associated with the leadership, vision and aspiration, and continual calibration of people’s efforts against the expected project outcomes.  And like many of the rail projects taking place in Australia at the moment, having to undertake construction and integrate with existing operations and assets (many of which are very old) just compounds the complexity of these projects – reinforcing that the people and leadership elements of these projects are absolutely critical for success. 

 So thank you Amy & Eva for your time and for sharing your experiences.  We had almost 200 participants at the webinar, and based on the number and range of questions it was a subject that created a lot of positive interest.  Our next RISSB Master Class webinar will be on 14 July, and the focus will be on some of the more recent RISSB projects, with an emphasis on helping industry implement them and realise the business benefits. 

RISSB CEO

PRODUCTS

AS 7503 Rail vehicle identification and markings 

RISSB, working with a Development Group, has undertaken an aged review of Standards AS 7503.1 through to AS 7503.4. These were previously titled “Train Identification and Integrity” and split into 4 separate products for locomotives, freight, passenger and infrastructure vehicles. 

This amended Standard AS 7503 “Rail vehicle identification and markings”, supersedes AS 7503.1, AS 7503.2, AS 7503.3, and AS 7503.4. 

AS 7503 describes requirements for the coding, identification and markings on new and modified rolling stock, including light rail vehicles. The Standard provides specific requirements for: vehicle identifiers; displays of the identifier; the fitment of manufacturer’s nameplates; AEI tags; identification of specific equipment ; and markings for alternative energy sources (e.g., battery energy storage or hydrogen). 

GENERAL NEWS

The industry welcomes 2 new senior leaders 

In recent days there have been 2 important announcements relating to senior appointments in our industry. 

Jacqui Walters is the inaugural National Rail Manufacturing Advocate who, along with eight leading experts (comprising the Rail Industry Innovation Council) will drive long term manufacturing capability in Australia, creating domestic jobs and shoring up supply chains. 

Michael Hopkins has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive at the National Transport Commission (NTC) bringing a great deal of strategic policy reform experience gained in Victorian Governmental departments. 

RISSB is very much looking forward to working with, and supporting Jacqui and Michael and their organisations. 

International cooperation on light rail / trams 

On Friday i.e., 30 June 2023,  afternoon RISSB staff met with representatives from TfNSW and UKTram to test for opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. While Australia has a very long history of tramways, and still boasts the world’s largest tram network, light rail has really only burgeoned here in recent years. There are great opportunities for harmonisation especially at this point in time and RISSB is keen to not reinvent the wheel; we’re optimistic that this new relationship will unlock benefits that both the UK and Australia can leverage for their respective light rail industries. 

RISSB has Initial Introduction with High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA

On Thursday, RISSB CEO and General Manager Strategy and Stakeholder Relations were very pleased to meet with the HSRA to understand their remit and thinking on their forward workplan. It is very clear that as their work progresses in the coming months and years, it will need to be underpinned by Standards and RISSB is ready, willing and able to support them as they go.

RISSB Supporting New Level Crossing Trials

Today (Friday 7^th July), RISSB attended the trial of a new level crossing risk reduction system at Bribbaree in NSW. Thew new solar powered system will augment a stop sign with LED lights to increase driver awareness of the stop sign, and then those LED lights flash if an approaching motorist is not slowing down to prepare to stop at the level crossing.

The trial was very well attended with representatives from the local community, ONRSR, ARTC and TfNSW as well as dignitaries such as:  

• TfNSW – Regional Director West Alistair Lunn
• Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison
• Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke
• Weddin Shire Council Mayor, Craig Brembrick
• Weddin Shire Council GM, Noreen Vu

The event was also supported by level crossing safety advocate Maddie Bott who tragically lost her fiancé at a crossing collision in the same area in 2021.

Great credit must go to TfNSW, ARTC and Maddie - every incremental improvement in level crossing safety is a step in the right direction.

RISSB – Industry’s Partner in Co-Regulation