Safety issue
| Safety issue description |
The ARTC systems for managing track lateral stability did not lead to the location being managed as a location potentially vulnerable to instability. Response by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) The ARTC advised that this location was not deemed to be a special location. The process for identifying special locations, targets locations susceptible to incorrect SFT and instability. ARTC also advised that the Track Stability Management Plan (TSMP) for the 30-200 km section had been reviewed by its internal audit team. As part of the 2019/20 TSMP, 10 sites had been subject to VERSE (Stress Free Temperature) testing, and 13 sites identified as special locations for the monitoring of track stability. This included the Creighton derailment site. ATSB comment The ARTC response does not address the systemic issue of why this location was not identified as a location vulnerable to instability.
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|---|---|
| Issue number | RO-2019-003-SI-01 |
| Issue owner | Australian rail Track Corporation |
| Transport function | Rail: Freight |
| Issue status | Closed – Not addressed |
| Date issue released | 16/12/2020 |
| Issue status justification |
The safety issue has not been addressed. |
| Issue finalisation date | 24/07/2023 |
Safety action
| Action type | Safety recommendation |
|---|---|
| Action number | RO-2019-003-SR-015 |
| Organisation | Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) |
| Action date | 16/12/2020 |
| Action description |
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Australian Rail Track Corporation reviews its processes and criteria for identifying and managing track locations vulnerable to lateral instability, considering the findings of this investigation report. |
| Action status | Closed |