Rail safety issues and actions
Track geometry standards
| Issue number: | RO-2016-002-SI-04 |
|---|---|
| Who it affects: | Owners and operators of passenger rail services in Victoria |
| Issue owner: | Metro Trains Melbourne |
| Transport function: | Rail: Passenger - metropolitan |
| Background: | Investigation Report RO-2016-002 |
| Issue release date: | 16 May 2018 |
| Current issue status: | Safety action pending |
|---|---|
| Issue status justification: | The safety action taken by MTM in combination with other actions pertaining to track maintenance should reduce risk associated with the safety issue. |
Safety issue description
The network’s track geometry standards were probably unsuitable for small-radius Broad-Gauge curves. A combination of track geometry irregularities had increased the probability of flange-climb at several locations on the small-radius Rushall curve.
Proactive Action
| Action number: | RO-2016-002-NSA-006 |
|---|---|
| Action organisation: | Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) |
| Date: | 16 May 2018 |
| Action status: | Monitor |
Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) has undertaken to review, and update as required, its network maintenance standards applied to small-radius curves and specifically maintenance tolerances on those geometric irregularities that increase the probability of flange-climb derailment.
Additional correspondence
| Response date: | 31 August 2018 |
|---|---|
| Response from: | Metro Trains Melbourne |
| Action status: | Monitor |
| Response text: | Modelling to update geometry tolerences MTM is examining using modelling to simulate the risk of flange-climb derailment for different track geometry conditions on small-radius curves, and the potential for this modelling to support an informed revision of track geometry tolerances. |