GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

NTC announces strategic rail productivity review

On 13 June 2008 the National Transport Commission (NTC) announced a strategic review of rail productivity to identify future reform opportunities. Improving rail productivity was a key priority identified through industry consultation for the NTC’s Strategic Plan. It is also consistent with the development of a National Transport Policy Framework by Transport Ministers for all modes. The NTC has released an Information Paper on rail productivity which highlights issues and options to be considered during the review. A number of those reform initiatives are already being addressed through the National Transport Policy Framework.

A new beginning for transport: Newsletter 2

On 13 June 2008 the National Transport Commission (NTC) released A new beginning for transport Newsletter No 2 which provides updates on national rail safety reform and the National Transport Plan.

ORR announces Memoranda of Understanding

On 18 June 2008 the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) announced it had developed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with a number of government departments. Their purpose is to promote effective coordination of the regulatory roles of each body and effective cooperation between them. The MoUs are not intended to be legally binding or to create expectations whose non-fulfillment would give rise to rights at law.

Rail safety research

On 16 June 2008 the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) released the Evaluation of the UK Rail Sector Initial Fatigue & Risk Index. This research document was produced by Health & Safety Laboratory and is available via the link above.

Action plan to reduce crossing collisions and fatalities

On 12 June 2008 the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, Mary Peters announced that several safety initiatives designed to reduce collisions between motor vehicles and trains will be completed before the end of 2008 as part of the ongoing U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway-Rail Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Action Plan. “Our efforts to improve safety where the rails meet the road are working,” Ms Peters said, noting that from 2004 to 2007 grade crossing accidents and fatalities declined 10.8% and 9.1% respectively. However, there were still 2,746 collisions and 338 deaths at America’s nearly 227,000 grade crossings last year. “More needs to be done to make crossings safer,” she added.

INDUSTRY

ARA fortnightly update

On 13 June 2008 the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) released its Fortnightly Update. In this issue:

• Understanding Rail Course 2008 - Stamford Plaza Adelaide
• National Rail Safety Awareness Week

Alaska Railroad to install positive train control

On 13 June 2008 the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that it had awarded a $735,000 grant to the Alaska Railroad to install and test its positive train control system, the Collision Avoidance System (CAS), on 68 locomotives. Positive train control systems are capable of automatically controlling train speed and movements to prevent certain accidents, including train collisions. The grant is the final step to implement the CAS throughout Alaska Railroad’s network and will fund the installation of locomotive on-board computers which interface with the office safety servers, the computer aided dispatch system, and the radio communication network.

ACCIDENTS

QR to take action following release of report into Mindi fatalities

On 18 June 2008 the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel announced that Queensland Rail (QR) will be required to produce an action plan to address an independent report into the accidental deaths of two rail workers at Mindi in 2007. Jamie Adams, 31, and Gary Watkins, 22, were killed when they were struck by a track machine while working on a rail line at Mindi, about 130 kilometres south west of Mackay, on 7 December last year. Mr Mickel said the investigation had made 22 recommendations to QR on operational procedures and a further seven recommendations for Queensland Transport to enhance its regulatory functions.

Train derails in Russian Far East

On 12 June 2008 it was reported that a passenger train had derailed in Russia's Far East, injuring 60 people. Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman Sergei Viktorov said nobody was killed in Thursday's accident but 19 of the injured were hospitalised and four were in a serious condition.