Sydney Trains did not have effective controls for overspeed where high risk turnouts were present.
Response by Sydney Trains
Since this incident Sydney Trains has undertaken several actions:
Sydney Trains has initiated a project titled: ATP High Risk Turnout Project. The concept phase of this project is under way with the following works currently funded to $5M.
- Signalling and Track Turnout Data collection, collation and verification of all turnouts across the network
- Full re-assessment to determine all High-Risk Turnouts for ETCS L1 fitment
- Prioritisation of turnouts into identified Priority Zones across the network
- Signalling Functional Specification (SFS) and preliminary scopes/design for Priority Zone 1a Blacktown – Seven Hills
- Development of a Business Case to support the rollout of the entire program of works
A temporary Speed Restriction in place on 318 points until engineering works (ATP and Turnout repeater) are completed.
A turnout repeater for BN 318 turnout will be designed and commissioned with works planned for FY 26/27.
The Advanced Train Running Information Control Systems (ATRICS) data monitoring for overspeed analysis at selected turnouts in the Blacktown area.
In August 2024 a General Instruction was issued to train drivers to create awareness of recent incidents and reinforcing the requirements to not exceed track speed.
The Train Crew Compliance team have increased their speed monitoring program.
ATSB comment
A series of interim measures have been undertaken by Sydney Trains, as detailed in Sydney Trains’ response.
Short term measures such as, awareness, lower speed limits, and increased speed compliance monitoring, decreases the likelihood of recurrence and decreases the potential consequences. However, the decreased likelihood of recurrence may change over time if higher order controls (engineering controls) are not implemented.
The speed limit at Blacktown was reduced to 80 km/h until engineered controls for high-risk turnouts can be implemented.
In this regard, the longer-term completion of the ATP High Risk Turnout Project is essential for maintaining effective risk control.
Sydney Trains did not have effective controls for overspeed where high risk turnouts were present.
