Rail safety issues and actions
National Train Communications System (NTCS) – Broadcast communications
| Issue number: | RO-2015-007-SI-05 |
|---|---|
| Who it affects: | All rail transport operators throughout Australia |
| Issue owner: | Australian Rail Track Corporation |
| Transport function: | Rail: Infrastructure |
| Background: | Investigation Report RO-2015-007 |
| Issue release date: | 16 December 2015 |
| Current issue status: | Safety action pending |
|---|---|
| Issue status justification: | At the time of this report release, the safety action advised by the ARTC was yet to be fully implemented. |
Safety issue description
The design of the NTCS in screening Adelaide metro broadcast communications prevented the driver of 2MP9 from gaining an appreciation of activities close to his area of operation, in particular the position of train 2MP1 along the Mile End main line.
Proactive Action
| Action number: | RO-2015-007-NSA-007 |
|---|---|
| Action organisation: | Australian Rail Track Corporation |
| Date: | 16 December 2015 |
| Action status: | Released |
In response to this safety issue, the Australian Rail Track Corporation have advised of the following proactive safety action:
A review of the current “fencing” configuration will be undertaken, however it must be recognised that the complexity of the network and population of locomotives that may be logged into the system may result in a significant increase in calls to locomotives while within the Metro NCO’s area not in close geographic proximity, these calls may result in distraction and could result in a negative safety outcome when trains are operating in a higher risk metropolitan environment.