GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

ITSRR seeks stakeholder input

ITSRR is currently undertaking its corporate planning process for 2008-09. As part of this process, ITSRR is seeking input from stakeholders on the actions they regard as important for ITSRR to undertake in the coming financial year. The current year’s priorities are available as a guide to the types of activities ITSRR sought to target in 2007-08. Information on ITSRR’s past results and activities are available in ITSRR’s Annual Report 2006-07. Any comments need to be provided by Friday 18 April 2008 and can be submitted to contact@transportregulator.nsw.gov.au.

Feedback from public consultation

ITSRR released the Draft NSW Rail Safety (General) Regulation 2007 and the Draft NSW Rail Safety (Drug and Alcohol Testing) Regulation 2007 for public consultation in September/October 2007. ITSRR received 14 submissions in relation to the Regulations which support the Rail Safety Bill 2007. Tables outlining the issues raised in those submissions and ITSRR’s responses are now available on ITSRR’s website.

ITSRR selects RSSF membership

ITSRR has selected new Rail Safety Strategic Forum (RSSF) members for a two-year term after calling for nominations from the rail industry. The Forum, which was established in 2005, is an important mechanism for enabling ITSRR, rail operators and unions to exchange ideas and to discuss strategic rail safety issues. The RSSF comprises 15 industry representatives covering large, medium, tourist and heritage operators; contractors and maintainers; and unions. It also includes two ITSRR representatives and the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) as an observer.

Inland rail alignment study underway

The Federal Government has commissioned an open, extensive study to determine the economic benefits and likely success of a new multi-billion dollar standard gauge inland railway between Melbourne and Brisbane. The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has been asked to conduct the study - setting aside up to $15 million to ensure this important work is completed by August 2009. At present the only north-south rail corridor in eastern Australia runs along the coastline via Sydney. An inland route through the Central West of NSW has the potential to slash the time it takes to move freight from Melbourne to Brisbane by rail from 36 hours to just 21 hours.

Melbourne’s new wind tram

Travelling by public transport in Melbourne has become even better for the environment following the unveiling of Victoria’s first ‘wind powered’ tram. In partnership with renewable energy company Pacific Hydro and the Victorian Government, Yarra Trams has secured green electricity from Victorian wind farms to power the tram. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky commended Yarra Trams on their commitment to renewable energy. “Using any public transport is a great way for people to do their bit for the environment and reduce congestion on our roads,” Ms Kosky said.

Accident investigation reports available online

To increase public awareness about the causes of specific train accidents and to reduce the need for individuals to submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is for the first time making its investigation reports of major train accidents and other incidents available online, FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman announced. "There’s no reason that anyone who’s interested shouldn’t be able to find out the probable cause of a train accident," Mr Boardman said.

Clifton Hill rail project - contract awarded

The next stage of the $52 million Clifton Hill rail project has begun with a contract awarded for the design and construction of a second rail bridge across Merri Creek, Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky announced. A $13.5 million contract has been awarded following the commencement of works on the Clifton Hill project which started in February. “This signals the Brumby (Victorian) Government’s pledge to remove a major bottleneck which affects the Epping and Hurstbridge lines,” Ms Kosky said.

ORR warns performance must improve

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has warned Network Rail that there must be an improvement in punctuality and reliability on its Western route. Train services on the route operated by First Great Western between London, the Thames Valley, the west of England and south Wales, have been subject to high levels of delays and cancellations for some time. The rail industry’s public performance measure shows that only 83% of First Great Western Services arrived on time in the last quarter for which statistics are available, compared with a national average of just under 91%. ORR is overseeing a joint performance improvement plan - developed by Network Rail and First Great Western - aimed at improving performance on the route.

GOVERNMENT CONTINUED

Proposal to revolutionise tank car safety

The safety of rail tank cars that carry the most dangerous hazardous materials will be dramatically improved under the most sweeping and revolutionary proposal in decades, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced. "This proposal is designed to significantly reduce the hazard of hauling hazardous materials by rail," Ms Peters said.

ORR business plan

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has published its business plan covering the period April 2008 – March 2009. This sets out ORR’s priorities for the forthcoming year. The publication follows on from a stakeholder consultation on ORR’s draft plan in December 2007. The five key priorities identified for 2008/09 are:

• securing robust plans for 2009 and beyond through the periodic review  process;
• securing improved efficiency and performance;
• improving health and safety performance;
• improving and aligning relationships and incentives in the industry; and
• developing ORR as an efficient and effective combined safety and economic regulator.

Second railroad joins FRA risk reduction pilot

A second railroad is now participating in a major federal rail safety pilot program designed to allow employees the ability to voluntarily and anonymously report "close call" incidents that could have resulted in an accident but did not, announced Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Boardman. "This risk-reduction program provides an indispensable opportunity to analyse ‘close-call’ events to help identify and correct potential safety problems across the industry," Mr Boardman said, adding that the pilot program is a key element of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) National Rail Safety Action Plan. Under a waiver granted by FRA, the Canadian Pacific Railway this week joins the Union Pacific Railroad in the Close Call Reporting System Demonstration Pilot Project.

INDUSTRY

1,000,000th new concrete sleeper

The 1,000,000th new concrete sleeper has been laid at Uranquinty in southern NSW the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) announced, marking a milestone in a $2.1 billion boost in rail’s freight transport competitiveness. ARTC Chief Executive Officer David Marchant said the halfway milestone reached on the sleeper replacement program showcased the upgrade of the Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane rail line, which included new passing lanes and loops and signal upgrades. Mr Marchant said it was appropriate the 1,000,000th new concrete sleeper was laid at Uranquinty as the area was the focus of the sleeper replacement program as well as the $420 million new passing lane construction and signal upgrades.

UIC releases international statistics

The International Union of Railways (UIC) has recently completed collection of its members’ rail traffic statistics for 2007. The statistics show continued traffic growth in both the passenger and freight sectors and highlight the link between such trends and economic and demographic developments in certain parts of the world and the globalisation of trade links. Detailed analysis of traffic by region paints a more nuanced picture influenced by the relative economic dynamism of the various regions.

ACCIDENTS

Pura Pura derailment requires track repair

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) site managers and support staff have begun clearing and repairing the rail line between Melbourne and Adelaide as a result of the train derailment near Pura Pura, Victoria, on 30 March. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators opened most of the site for repair which allowed track work and wagon recovery to commence on 31 March. Approximately 1,100 metres of track require repair and 23 wagons need to be removed or ‘put back on track’.

NTSB investigation into accident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched two investigators from its Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations to investigate an accident that occurred at CSX's Stanley Yard near Toledo, Ohio. The accident occurred when a CSX Transportation employee was switching rail cars on one track and was seriously injured after being struck by a moving rail car on an adjacent track within Stanley Yard.