AS 7630 Track Classification

The objective of this Standard is to:

• provide a nationally consistent performance-based method for track classification that is applicable to all new, upgraded, and existing heavy railways in Australia;
• enable RIMs to allocate a track classification to all heavy railway track sections for which they are responsible;
• provide guidance for owners and operators of rolling stock to more readily determine if their rolling stock can physically access a track corridor(s), for which any RIM is responsible, by adopting the concept of route availability in addition to the track classification.

As part of the National Rail Actions Plan, AS 7630 was rewritten to provide the Australian railway industry a consistent way of classifying track. The changes included:

• A change to the methodology for calculating the functional and performance requirements for track classification using the P₂ Force Limit(s) and the creation of the track classification matrix. This also includes a working example of the application of the calculation in the appendix;
• introduction of the consideration of route availability for rolling stock access, and the corresponding infrastructure considerations for track structure, earthworks, civil structures, and wayside assets; and
• definition of roles and responsibilities regarding track classification between RIMs and RSOs.

By applying this Standard, the Australian railway industry can achieve:

• a nationally harmonised method of classifying track, enabling consistent assessment of route suitability and availability for rolling stock;
• interoperable movement of rolling stock across multiple networks;
• rail corridor infrastructure design and maintenance performance criteria to ensure safe management of track structures and operation of rolling stock; and
• improved productivity by an efficient and consistent approach to the determination of route availability for rolling stock.

Use of this Standard assists with managing the following risks:

• Operation of rolling stock over track infrastructure that is not safe to manage required speed and load forces.
• Unnecessary wear and damage to track infrastructure resulting in track failure due to unsuitable rolling stock being operated on that track.
• Adjacent network rail infrastructure being constructed or maintained to track classifications that are calculated in alternate way that could limit or impact the safe operation of rolling stock across networks.

Rail transport operators should review this Standard within the next 12 months and ensure that RTO specific track classifications align with this Standard. Where possible RTO Standards should directly refer to AS 7630 to ensure consistency across the Australian railway industry.