The ATSB is investigating a Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) by suburban passenger train TE43 between Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills, Queensland on 24 May 2023.
At around 0944 local time on 24 May 2023, a suburban passenger train traveling mid-section between Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills, passed automatic signal CS025 by about 64 m. The driver self-reported the occurrence to network control. Another train was approximately 296 m ahead, travelling in the same direction. A SPAD alarm was fitted to the signal, but it was not triggered.
In the course of the investigation, the ATSB has identified risk controls with limitations that potentially contributed to the occurrence. Examination of these factors represent a significant increase in the scope of this investigation, and it has been upgraded from Short to Defined as a result (the ATSB's different levels of investigation are detailed here).
The draft report has been distributed to directly involved parties (DIPs) to check factual accuracy and ensure natural justice. Any submissions from those parties will be reviewed and, where considered appropriate, the draft report will be amended accordingly.
Following the external review process, any submissions and amendments to the draft report are internally reviewed. Once approved, the final report is prepared for publication and dissemination and released to DIPs prior to its public release.
The final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.