GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

The framework for future improvements

A two-year audit of every road level crossing in Victoria has been released, setting the framework for future rail safety improvements. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the completed list of level crossings assessments, which is based on nationally agreed safety criteria, is a working document for road and rail safety experts to plan for future upgrades. Last year $33.2 million was allocated for automated warning signs, rumble strips and other safety works to build on the existing upgrade program.

ORR seeks views on national rail standards regimes

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has sought  the views of industry stakeholders on the national rail standards regimes. Standards play a key role in facilitating the delivery of a safe and efficient railway. ORR recognises the ongoing work by the industry to improve standards. However, standards have been cited as the cause of inefficiencies in the way that the rail network is maintained, enhanced and operated. ORR wants to understand whether there is a clear view among industry stakeholders on what is the purpose of the standards regimes and whether the various standards regimes are fit for that purpose. 

Mildura freight line works progressing

Work on the $73 million upgrade of the Mildura rail freight corridor is progressing well and moving north towards Maryborough with thousands of new sleepers already laid paving the way for improved rail freight services. The project is jointly funded by the Victorian and Federal governments, with $53 million from the State Government and $20 million from the Commonwealth AusLink program. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky inspected the works at Creswick with Geoff Howard, the Member for Ballarat East. “More than 70,000 sleepers have been replaced along the line since works commenced in December,” Ms Kosky said.

ORR welcomes new Director of Railway Safety

Bill Emery, Chief Executive of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), has warmly welcomed the appointment of Ian Prosser as Director of Railway Safety. Mr Prosser will begin his post on 4 August 2008, where he will work alongside the present Chief Inspector of Railways, Linda Williams, until she retires on 25 September. Mr Prosser is expected to be appointed to the ORR board by the Secretary of State for Transport from 26 September. Mr Prosser has worked in safety critical industries for more than 26 years. He has spent the last eight years in the rail industry, initially with Amey Rail followed by Metronet Rail, where he has the leading role in its safety management.

INDUSTRY

ARA fortnightly update

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) released its fortnightly update on16 May 2008. Stories in this edition include:

• Will the renaissance of rail be constrained by skill shortages?
• Occupational Health & Safety rolling stock standards

Railroad fuel efficiency sets record

In 2007, major freight railroads in the United States moved a ton of freight an average of 436 miles on each gallon of fuel. This represents a 3.1% improvement over 2006 and an astonishing 85.5% improvement since 1980. "That's the equivalent of moving a ton of freight all the way from Baltimore to Boston on just a single gallon of diesel fuel," said Association of American Railroads President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger. He noted that thanks to railroads' fuel efficiency gains, since 1980 freight railroads have reduced fuel consumption by 48 billion gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 538 million tons.

ACCIDENTS

Still room for improvement in safety

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Mark Rosenker has told members of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) that, while grade crossing accidents and railroad employee fatality rates have declined in the past quarter century, there is still room for improvement. Addressing rail executives at AAR's annual safety awards luncheon, Mr Rosenker called upon attendees to move more quickly on safety improvements by adopting new technology, such as positive train control and electronically controlled pneumatic braking, two of the technologies that show great promise for improving safety. "As many of you know," Mr Rosenker stated, "I strongly believe that the development and implementation of new technology is important to improving safety across all modes of transportation, including the railroad industry."