Safety issue

Safety issue description

The Arc Infrastructure practice of pathing a following train up to the same section of track occupied by a stopped train, coupled with no requirement for the network control officer (NCO) to communicate and confirm rail traffic crews were aware when approaching another stopped train, increased risk.
Issue number RO-2019-022-SI-03
Issue owner Arc Infrastructure
Transport function Network Operations
Issue status Closed – Adequately addressed
Date issue released 15/02/2024
Issue status justification

The ATSB is satisfied that the action being taken by Arc Infrastructure has reduced the risk of this safety issue.

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number RO-2019-022-PSA-196
Organisation Arc Infrastructure
Action description

Arc Infrastructure, as rail infrastructure manager, advised on 1 April 2020 that it had instigated the following proactive safety actions:

  • The fleeting[1] or automatic signal calling function within the Arc Infrastructure network control system was not to be used in the Avon Valley.[2] Train routes had to be called as required manually by the network control officer (NCO).
  • A process was introduced for NCOs requiring that where a train has, or must be, stopped, any following trains must, where possible, be held at the station in the rear[3] and not be advanced until the stationary train has recommenced its journey.
  • A process was commenced requiring communications with train crews in the event a train had stopped ahead of a following train. Where it was necessary to hold trains in the Avon Valley, or a train had come to a stand due to unforeseen circumstances, the rail traffic crew of the first following train had to be advised over open channel radio of the circumstances and their limit of authority. Acknowledgment of this communication had to be confirmed by the rail traffic crew.
 

[1]     A controlled automatic signal operating as an automatic signal is said to be operating in ‘fleeting mode’. Refer to Traffic control system section for more details.

[2]     Section of main line between Avon Yard and Millendon (Figure 1).

[3]     In the Jumperkine context, this would be the previous controlled absolute signal to Jumperkine signal 12L, which would be signal 4L at Moondyne, about 21 km away.
Action status Closed