Mobile communication in the rail corridor is essential for the safe and efficient operation of the railway. This standard defines requirements for radio communication systems that will –
- mitigate the risk associated with identified hazards;
- facilitate compliance with the Rail Safety National Law;
- provide a consistent national set of requirements for rolling stock equipment; and
- identify the roles of Rail Infrastructure Managers and Rolling Stock Operators in providing, operating, maintaining and removing mobile communication systems
There is a legal obligation on Rail Transport Operators to ensure safe operation of the railway. While each Rail Transport Operator will satisfy this obligation in accordance with their own safety management system, some aspects of communication require coordination and consistency between Rail Transport Operators.
Rail Infrastructure Managers responsible for some track sections may interact with multiple Rolling Stock Operators. Rolling Stock Operators might, in turn, be interacting with several Rail Infrastructure Managers. With the potential for rolling stock, train crews, operators and maintainers to work on many different sections of track, and with more than one Rail Infrastructure Manager, a consistent operation of wireless communication systems is very important. Use of consistent technology is desirable but the rate of technology change and the independent approach of Rail Infrastructure Managers means this is will not always be achieved.
