12 Dec 2023
RISSB Connect Edition 45, December 2023
|
No images? Click here 
Edition 45 December 2023 INSIDE THIS EDITION+ CEO message CEO MESSAGEI was fortunate last week to attend Arc Infrastructure’s launch of the innovative “Hiivr Rail” autonomous container rail vehicle. The Hiivr Rail concept would see containers move directly from a vessel to a future network of intermodal freight terminals, and be available to customers within hours of being unloaded from the vessel. 
Intermodal locations which have a constrained footprint would be unlocked by the Hiivr Rail wagon. https://moveparallel.com/ Seeing this vehicle moving itself around Arc’s Kenwick Freight Terminal reminded me of the autonomous locomotives that were deployed at the Dry Creek bogie exchange in the mid-1980s. The “Teletrac” units were (dirty and noisy) diesel hydraulic and were controlled by (axle-counter) track circuits, and shunted rakes of wagons in and out of the automated bogie exchange. 
For its time, it was an innovative solution to a very inefficient and clunky process (exchanging bogies at change of gauge). My haven’t things changed for the better! Damien White PRODUCTSRISSB Rail Operations and Safety products development and reviewRail Operations and Safety products development and review has now commenced for all 2023 RISSB projects planned for delivery in 2024. Thank you to the people and organisations that have nominated to be part of the important RISSB work. It must be recognised that your time and effort ensures the ongoing support for quality information and guidance for the Australian/New Zealand rail industry. In 2024 RISSB’s Rail Operations and Safety group will provide our industry both updated and new products including:
Additionally, RISSB will introduce two new Codes for Driver Only Operations and the Rail Transport of Dangerous Goods. From RISSB Rail Operations and Safety, have a wonderful Christmas and a safe end of year break. An update on AS 7630 Track ClassificationThe Development Group members have made significant progress on the review of AS 7630 Track Classification, even with a minor scope change and further direction from the Infrastructure Standing Committee. The Subject Matter Experts in track infrastructure worked together to develop and agree on a significant improvement in the methodology for classifying tracks across the Australian rail network. Adapting the International Union of Railways (UIC) approach, track engineering consultants from Jacobs brought track engineering criteria and the assessment of rolling stock suitability together, to create a methodology for track classification. Rail Infrastructure Managers can apply this methodology to their network and Rolling Stock Operators can use it to assess route availability and suitability. As the updated Standard is adopted and the new track classification is applied across the network, this should see improvements in the efficient movement of rolling stock across all networks, with the ultimate goal of improving interoperability and harmonisation across the rail industry. The draft for public consultation is due to be released before the end of December for a two month period. An update on AS 7635 Track GeometryIn conjunction with an industry Development Group, RISSB has completed a review and update of the AS 7635 Track Geometry, which was originally published in 2013. This Standard is not intended to cover interfaces between the rail vehicle and multiple device control layers situated in multiple rail infrastructure managers (RIM) territories. However, items from this Standard may be applied to such circumstances as deemed appropriate by the relevant RIMs. This Standard also does not provide guidance on the management of interfaces between train control systems and rolling stock in degraded modes of operation. This standard has now been published on the RISSB website here. 
PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT ON... |
