GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

ITSRR reports on incident investigations

The Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR) has released the first of what will be a regular progress report on the implementation of recommendations arising from independent investigations into rail, bus and ferry incidents in NSW. The reports, to be published quarterly, will ensure government, the transport industry and the community is kept informed of the status of recommendations resulting from investigations conducted by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The NSW regulators for rail (ITSRR), bus (Ministry of Transport) and ferry (NSW Maritime) each monitor the implementation of incident investigation recommendations for their industry.

Wireless technology makes trains safer

New wireless technology designed to make Queensland trains safer will enable commuters to surf the web while on the train. Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said new wireless equipment to allow security footage to be streamed in real time to a central point would also create wireless hotspots at stations and on trains. “This means that commuters will be able to log on to the internet and catch up on emails on their train ride to work or while waiting at a station,” she said.

Upgrades for crossings in Alice Springs

The Federal Government has allocated $2.5 million to three projects in Alice Springs to install new boom gates and other safety measures at high risk level crossings. The funding for these safety projects will come from the Federal Government's $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program. Tragically, about 100 accidents occur at rail crossings every year. Last year in the Northern Territory, there were 11 near misses and one accident, but thankfully no injuries or deaths.

Trains start using new tracks

Passenger and freight trains have started using the new tracks between Caboolture and Beerburrum. The final construction works and testing of the new track, overhead and signalling systems were successfully completed over Easter from 10-13 April. Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the completion of the work represented a major milestone for the Government’s $298 million Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Duplication Project. “This project is an important step towards improving rail services for the North Coast region,” Ms Nolan said.

Funding for Victorian level crossings

Work will start immediately on installing new boom gates and other safety measures at 58 high risk level rail crossings around Victoria. Funding for these safety projects will come from the Federal Government's $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program - a key element of our $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan. Nationally, the Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program will provide $50 million in 2008/09 and a further $100 million in 2009/10 for the installation of boom gates and other safety measures at over 250 level crossings.

Better access to Port of Melbourne

Australian exporters will now able to get their products into one of the nation's largest ports faster and with greater reliability, with the doubling of capacity on the Tottenham to Dynon Rail Link. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened the completely upgraded Tottenham to Dynon Rail Link - a double standard gauge track running seven kilometres from Tottenham Junction to the Port of Melbourne's Dynon Intermodal Terminal. “In partnership with Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), the Rudd Labor (Federal) Government has invested $45 million to upgrade the capacity of this critical section of the nation's interstate rail network,” Mr Albanese said. “Put simply, it means more freight transported more quickly into and out of the Port of Melbourne.” 

Safety to improve at 13 high risk crossings

Work will start immediately on installing flash lights and advance warning systems at 13 high risk level rail crossings in Tasmania. Funding for these safety projects will come from the Federal Government's $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program - a key element of our Nation Building and Jobs Plan. All up the Federal Government has allocated $3.9 million for 13 projects on urban, regional and arterial roads in Tasmania.

INDUSTRY

Cairns Tilt Train cancelled

QR has announced that the diesel Cairns Tilt Train service had been cancelled until further notice. QR Passenger Executive General Manager Paul Scurrah said, in consultation with Chief Executive Officer Lance Hockridge, he had acted to cancel the service on receipt of information provided by the rail safety regulator. “Following the collision between the Cairns Tilt Train and a B-double truck at Rungoo on 27 November 2008 a full independent investigation into the circumstances of the accident was instigated by QR and the rail safety regulator,” Mr Scurrah said. “While that investigation is still ongoing preliminary information has raised issues concerning the specification, design and subsequent testing and construction of the Cairns Tilt Train.”

ACCIDENTS

Report into crossing collision released

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its final investigation report (R07D0111) into the crossing collision between a VIA Rail Canada (VIA) train and a tractor-trailer that occurred on 17 December 2007 in Pincourt/Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec. The TSB found that the geometric characteristics of the crossing and the presence of snow banks played a role in the accident at this high-speed, high-density level crossing. The investigation also noted that the lack of conspicuous railway emergency contact information presents a risk to drivers who find themselves immobilized on level crossings.