As digitalisation drives rail’s biggest transformation in 100 years, recommended changes to National Rail Safety Laws will open the way for benefits to be felt across the nation.
The introduction of electricity powered trains on urban railways was a game changer for rail last century, providing faster, more reliable services that moved more people and goods.
Today digital technologies, including the rollout of European Train Control Systems (ETCS), have opened opportunities for a similar step change. They have the ability to improve rail’s capability and competitiveness by making networks safer, simpler and more efficient.
But the full benefits will only be achieved if the technologies can “talk” to each other so Australia’s 18 separate networks operate like one integrated system.
“It’s well recognised that there will be significant operational and safety risks if the new train control and signalling systems deployed aren’t interoperable,” National Transport Commission (NTC), CEO Michael Hopkins told the Connect Rail conference in Sydney recently.
“Australia’s infrastructure and transport ministers have been very clear, that we must do everything we can to avoid a ‘digital break of gauge’ on their watch.
“Which is why they have tasked the NTC with a program of rail reform that represents the biggest change since electrification.”
Twenty-five years ago, as the National Road Transport Commission, the NTC introduced the first set of national road rules. These were adopted by all states and territories making driving across the country easier and safer.
“Today we’re doing the same for rail,” said Hopkins. “The timing of this is critical, with the roll-out of digital train control technologies happening at pace in Sydney and Brisbane.”
Through the National Rail Action Plan (NRAP), the NTC is working with industry, regulators and governments to identify a pathway of interoperable technologies across Australia’s major freight and passenger networks. Starting with a focus on the eastern seaboard.
It is also developing common principles so digital train control technologies are rolled out in a consistent way.
These principles will ensure networks adopt proven systems that manage all risks and hazards, adopt common standards, are affordable and easy for operators to fit and drivers to use.
“Each state is at a different stage in this journey, and different network requirements create unique challenges,” Hopkins said.
“But if states start to bespoke their own version of ETCS, it will lead to interoperability concerns and the full benefit of the technologies won’t be realised.”
A framework for change
There is confidence is growing in the sector’s ability to build an integrated rail system across major urban and freight routes. And recommended changes to Australia’s Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) will provide the legislative environment to make it happen.
Under the current co-regulatory regime, rail infrastructure managers and operators must meet performance requirements to operate safely. As a result, they frequently use bespoke standards for their specific systems, processes and technologies. These are often incompatible with the systems, processes and technologies of other networks.
Recommendations in the recent RSNL report include a more proactive role for the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) in achieving rail interoperability.
The recommendations would compel network decision-makers to:
consult with adjacent networks when making changes to rules or infrastructure
consider the impact of the change on the wider national rail system.
The review also recommends that a national set of competencies is recognised by all rail transport operators and that national safe-working rules are established.
“This is all critical to our work on the National Rail Action Plan to improve safety, support workforce portability and reduce the training burden on workers and operators,” Hopkins said.
To help with this work the NTC is developing a national rail standards framework. This will include three mandatory performance-based standards for:
- digital train control technology
- a single onboard interface
- rolling stock approvals.
“These mandatory standards will future proof interoperability and better safety outcomes,” Hopkins said.
The framework will also harmonise best practice standards for rolling stock, operating rules, and skills and training accreditation.
The time for change is now
“It’s hard to remember a time when ministers have put so much importance in rail,” Hopkins said.
“Today we have alignment, but it may not last forever. While there is such a momentum to drive interoperability we have to grab it with both hands.”
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