14 Oct 2024
RISSB Connect Edition 78, October 2024
|
No images? Click here 
Edition 78, October 2024 A message from our CEO | Damien White 
We’ve got an enormous amount of work to do in Australia to make rail more competitive, and to overcome decades of disparate approaches. That's my main takeaway from the recent Australasian Railway Association Study Tour and meetings with UK RSSB and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network. The good news is that RISSB is already dialled in to the next phase of rail reform in Australia. About twelve months ago we completely overhauled the prioritisation process that RISSB uses to develop our annual Work Plan. We now consider a much broader range of inputs including advice from key industry and government leaders, quantified risk measures from ARRM. We take on board advice from our Standing Committees and other industry subject matter experts, regulatory and reform priorities, and learnings from national and international incidents. As a result, our Work Plan is now far more focused on industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. An unintended, but positive consequence is that we now have far more interest from industry to be involved in our Development Groups. That might create a bit more work for our Standards Development Managers (lots of cat-herding I’m sure!), but that’s a good problem to have – to be able to capture the input from a wide range of industry’s subject matter experts to help drive greater safety, efficiency and sustainability outcomes! LATEST NEWSHorizons 6 wraps upHorizons, RISSBs program to inspire future rail industry leaders particularly in the technical and operational fields, wrapped up its sixth installment in Sydney this month. The participants presented on this years project challenge Digital Transformation of the Australian Rail Sector. A big thanks to our panel of judges, including Matt Longland from Sydney Trains, Dennis Lo from the RTAA, Brian Brennan from Transdev and Sudha Niles from RISSB for providing their time and insights on the presentations. 
Cybersecurity survey report - a RISSB and Griffith University joint initiative on a survey to gauge industry maturity levelsBuilding on our industry first cyber security standard AS 7770 - Rail Cyber Security, RISSB has released the Understanding Cyber-Resilience Approaches and Compliance Levels within the Railway Sector survey report which explores where our industry’s general maturity lies. RISSB and Griffith University collaborated to create the survey. The key findings include the need for railways to adopt a proactive stance towards cybersecurity and they will help inform RISSB’s thinking about how we can better support rail’s cybersecurity efforts. PEOPLE SPOTLIGHTMichael Uhlig 
Michael is a stalwart of the rail industry with over 40 years’ experience, much of which is in relation to rolling stock. He has had a deep connection with RISSB, bringing his knowledge and passion to the Rolling Stock Standing Committee (RSSC), RISSB Wheel – Rail interface Committee and predecessor Railways of Australia committees since the early 1990’s. Michael has been the Chair of the RSSC since 2016 in addition to a term between 2009 -2013. As Chair, Michael works with RISSB and a group of industry subject matter experts to develop Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidelines that deliver enhanced safety, productivity and efficiency outcomes for the rail industry. RISSB has always found Michael approachable and accessible, someone who has a proactive safety focus and who will consider alternative solutions to deliver better industry outcomes. "I am passionate about what lessons we can learn from incidents and near misses that have occurred, including overseas, and what practical measures we may be able to implement to avoid a similar occurrence, including use of technology and standards requirements updates. I often ask my team when reviewing an incident, could this happen to us, and consider what actions we can take to prevent such incidents." Michael Uhlig, on what drives his passion for rail safety. 
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7495 Rolling Stock Communications EquipmentNew and advanced technologies present the rail industry opportunities for safety and efficiency gains. This Standard will support our industry members adopt advancement in technologies in communications equipment. This Standard identifies the different types of communications equipment used on rolling stock, defines the high-level functional requirements and performance-based outcomes for the equipment while also considering the asset lifecycle requirements. Equipment identified in this Standard supports communications equipment requirements already defined in other Standards, codes of practice and guidelines. This Standard is intended to complement the rolling stock compliance certification process outlined in AS 7501, including all vehicle types such as new, modified and heritage rolling stock MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
KiwiRail’s improved its safety, service reliability and asset availability performance for customers against a backdrop of tough trading conditions and ongoing network outages from challenging weather events during financial year 2024. The company is repositioning itself to be in a strong position to harness the economic recovery, with an ambitious plan to grow by winning customer loyalty through
enhanced customer experiences, better asset availability, improved service reliability and by delivering a lower cost of operations to compete for customers in freight and passenger markets. TRAINING AND EVENTS
RISSB at New Zealand Rail conferenceWe'll be at the New Zealand Rail Conference from 16-17 October at The Aotea Centre in Auckland. RISSB General Manager Products and Innovation, Sudha Niles will speak about Rolling Stock Registration: The Australian Challenge as well as participate in a panel discussing the importance of interoperability in a co-regulated environment. Come visit us at our exhibition stand and talk us about RISSB products, events and our training opportunities. Undertake a Derailment Investigation (TLIF5023) BrisbaneOur recent Brisbane course wrapped up our training calendar for 2024 with participants from Queensland Rail, Aurizon and Brimble. With the both the Rail Safety Incidents Code of Practice and Derailment Investigation and Analysis Guideline currently under review, we will soon begin updating our training materials to reflect any changes. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements regarding this training in 2025! We are also exploring how we can update all previous attendees about the revised documents. 
RISSB Annual General Meeting 2024The 2024 RISSB Annual General Meeting will be held on 25th of November 2024. The meeting will be virtual, giving a greater number of members the opportunity to dial in and be part of the meeting. As a member organisation, we encourage members with voting rights to participate in the annual general meeting process and to vote on important matters. As with previous virtual AGMs held by RISSB, voting will be performed via the completion of a voting proxy form that will be provided as part of the Member's AGM pack. RISSB MasterClass WebinarsGlobal benchmarked DAS
insights RISSB Training CoursesNew training calendar out soon! The new RISSB training calendar is taking shape and will be out soon. In the meantime, if you require quality Rail Safety Investigations or Derailment Investigation and Analysis training for your team, email us at training@rissb.com.au RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESCurrent calls for Public Consultation AS 7502 Road Rail Vehicles – Review AS 7470 Human Factors Integration in Rail Engineering Projects – Review Current calls for Development Groups Operational Concept for the Australian Rail Network – Review 
Progress report - Bulk review of AS 1085 Railway Track Materials delivers best valueRISSB's bulk review program for a series of historical standards demonstrates our continued drive to provide best value, and efficient use of time and resources for our members. The bulk review of AS 1085 Railway Track Materials was carried out for members of the industry who continue the use of the older style railway track materials as part of their networks. The review determined no changes are required for Parts 4, 7, 8 and 13 while Parts 2, 3 and 10 have progressed to review through a development group called in July 2024. Industry's partner in co-regulation RISSB supports and works hand in hand with the Australian and New Zealand rail industry to provide the essential tools rail organisations need – good practice Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Rules.    
|