RISSB in the National Rail Action Plan

On the 3rd June, RISSB chaired the first meeting of the National Rail Action Plan’s (NRAP) ‘Standards’ Working Group – and facilitated a fruitful discussion around the value of achieving optimal levels of harmonisation of rolling stock, and infrastructure across Australia’s various networks. 

As a first step, the group agreed to explore asset mismatches around the country. Later steps will include evaluating the opportunities around those mismatches, and planning the means to address them. The meeting followed a very successful meeting of the NRAP’s ‘Interoperability’ Working Group last week where RISSB showcased work recently completed to stocktake the various train control systems around the country, as well as RISSB’s plans to explore technological solutions and funding options.

The next NRAP Standards Working Group will be chaired by the group’s co-chair, DoT.

RISSB to Develop a National Safety Critical Communications Rule

On the back of the successful delivery of the National Rules Framework earlier this year, RISSB has brought industry together and initiated cross-industry work to produce a streamlined, contemporary national rule around communications – a regular contributing factor in occurrences. This work, carried out under the auspices of the National Rules Industry Reference Group (Chaired by RISSB CEO) will seek to produce a detailed rule that all rail companies can adopt, making it the industry benchmark. The communications rule work will dovetail with RISSB’s existing Safety Critical Communications training package and complement RISSB’s Safety Critical Communications Guideline, which, during 2020 we will elevate to an Australian Standard.

SPAD Investigations Proforma Project to Kick Off on 17 June

The initial remote meeting of the industry reference group tasked with developing a harmonised SPAD investigations form for the rail industry will be held on Wednesday, 17 June 2020.

The aim of this project is to develop an agreed, practical, and user-friendly form that can be used in Australia and New Zealand.

The form (or forms) will encompass light rail and heavy rail.

Why Do Well Trained People Still Make Mistakes?

Next week's webinar, featuring Huw Gibson, Head of Human Factors from the UK's Rail Safety and Standards Board, will aim to answer that question from a human factors perspective, using insights from the UK's rail industry and the Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).  A key focus will be on how the systems that we design can create and shape the human performance issues which contribute to accidents and incidents.

Please click on the blue 'Register Now' button to reserve your place.

Missed a webinar or want to watch a webinar again?
You can! Watch one of our eight existing MasterClass webinars at your desk or in your home and when it's convenient!

Go to https://www.rissb.com.au/home/webinars/and click on the 'Watch' hyperlink near the presenter's name.

Unfortunately, Jen Ablitt's webinar  scheduled for 2nd June was postponed to a date later in the year. Keep checking RISSB's website for the new date.

Condition Monitoring of Rolling Stock Equipment Guideline Progresses

Condition monitoring is a very broad subject, therefore initial discussions were largely focused on determining the scope and objective of the Guideline.

Development Group members contributed a significant amount of high quality source material during the kick off meeting in May, and therefore the task ahead now is to further the development of the first draft of this important publication.

Work Underway on New Standard - AS 7481 Train Braking Rates

RISSB recently held the first Development Group meeting for a new Standard AS 7481 – Train Braking Rates.

Among other things, this Standard will provide a common method for calculating, field testing and determining the braking rates of trains under ideal and non-ideal conditions; document requirements for managing slip-slide events for fixed-block and moving-block signalling systems; and
identify the need for harmonious braking rates, so that future purchases of trains can be interoperable with infrastructure already equipped with ATP (or similar) technology.

AS 7474 Rail industry - System safety

AS 7474 Rail industry – System safety is now available for an 8-week public consultation.

Please return your PDF with comments to cscott@rissb.com.au by Sunday, 19 July 2020.

AS 7664 Railway signalling, cable routes, cable pits, and foundations

AS 7664 Railway signalling cable routes, cable pits, and foundations is now available for an 8-week public consultation.

Please return your PDF with comments to cfitzhardinge@rissb.com.au by Tuesday, 21 July 2020.