In June 2023 Infrastructure and Transport Ministers asked ONRSR to develop a code of practice for train illumination to reflect the findings of recent train lighting trials.
Ministers have now approved an Australian-first Code of Practice designed to improve safety at thousands of level crossings around the country.
The code is the result of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including those with lived experience of rail collisions, industry representatives, unions, governments, and subject matter experts. It sets out best practice to the Australian rail industry and supports operators to strengthen the controls in place to address the safety risks posed by level crossings. In addition, the code is admissible in a proceeding as evidence of whether or not a rail operator has complied with a duty or obligation under the Rail Safety National Law.
To view the Code of Practice together with other related and supporting documents please use the link provided here: Code of Practice | ONRSR
In March 2023, ONRSR received the results of the Monash Institute of Railway Technology’s (MIRT) trials of specific controls focussed on better visibility of trains, namely:
ONRSR subsequently supported further research to assess the effectiveness of additional lighting on a locomotive, specifically flashing LED lights mounted on the front, and marker lights mounted on both sides, primarily during daylight but also at night. Over 500 luminance measurements were collected in various scenarios including vegetation obscurity, simulated weather conditions, and different daylight and night-time conditions.
ONRSR has now received the Final Report from MIRT: Quantitative Assessment of Visibility of Modified Locomotive Lighting. The report is a very detailed, technical document – reflecting the thoroughness and scientific rigour of the academic research.
The Monash IRT Report can be viewed and downloaded via the link provided here.
Throughout 2022-2023 ONRSR facilitated important research into train visibility as part of a continuing focus on safety at regional level crossings.
On the back of this research, in June 2023, Infrastructure and Transport Ministers tasked ONRSR with the development of a Level Crossings and Train Visibility Code of Practice.
ONRSR released a draft Code of Practice – Level Crossings and Train Visibility for public consultation during April 2024. Although the formal consultation period has ended the draft is still available for viewing via the link provided here.
If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Wielgosz - Strategic Policy by phone on 0417914619 or via email to Debbie.Wielgosz@onrsr.com.au.
After facilitating important research that identified how supplementary lighting may provide additional safeguards, ONRSR is now in the process of developing the first Code of Practice for train visibility in Australia.
In 2023 the nation’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers welcomed industry stakeholders’ willingness to endorse a code that incorporates findings from the research on illumination.
The new code will assist rail transport operators to strengthen the overall safety management systems that underpin their operations where trains interact with people, drivers and vehicles - with an emphasis on risk controls for train visibility.
ONRSR Chief Executive, Dr. Natalie Pelham said the code of practice will assist operators to assess and treat risks associated with interactions between pedestrians, rail workers, motor vehicle and truck drivers.
“Development of the code means we will have another resource for operators further enhancing a robust systems approach to rail safety,” Dr. Pelham said.
“A code of practice will set out train visibility expectations to the industry by providing a risk management process for operators to follow when considering their unique operations.”
“It will facilitate a particular emphasis on identifying the suite of tailored risk controls for train visibility, encouraging consideration of the illumination of rolling stock along with things like surrounding vegetation and approaches to crossings.
“It’s not the only tool we expect operators to use in addressing train visibility, but rather one they can add to their list of risk controls.”
In time, ONRSR will back up the release of the code of practice with in-field compliance activities - and as an approved code of practice, it will be admissible in any proceedings relating to train visibility as evidence of whether an operator has complied with the Rail Safety National Law.
ONRSR is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders to inform development of the code, including those with lived experience of rail collisions, industry representatives, unions, governments, and other subject matter experts.
The draft code of practice will then be the subject of public consultation in the first quarter of 2024. Following which, a final draft will be submitted to Federal and State Infrastructure and Transport Ministers for consideration and approval by mid-2024.
In October 2021, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) commissioned the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) to conduct a review of current research and best practice both in Australia and internationally on train visibility. The report identified approximately 30 potential controls for improving train visibility at level crossings, with the majority focussed on better illumination of trains.
In March 2022, ONRSR met with the Freight on Rail Group (FORG) to discuss opportunities to trial some suggested controls identified in the ACRI report.
Following on from this meeting, ONRSR engaged Monash Institute of Rail Technology (MIRT) to design a scientific testing regime to validate two suggested recommendations from the ACRI report under supervised trial conditions. These two being:
ONRSR has now received the Final Report from MIRT: Assessment of Trials to Improve Train Conspicuousness Approaching Passive Level Crossings. The report is a very detailed, technical document – reflecting the thoroughness and scientific rigour of the academic research.
ONRSR Chief Executive and National Rail Safety Regulator, Sue McCarrey said that the review is a major step in improving safety at level crossings around Australia but has reminded all safety stakeholders that it is only part of the work on delivering tangible safety outcomes.
“There are many facets to level crossing safety and while critical, train visibility is only one of them,” she said.
“It is important to note that while we are really encouraged by the review identifying a range of possible risk controls, at this point in time they have only been assessed to the extent that they are possible solutions.”
“What we have to do now is have the industry take the initiative and commit to trialling these controls where appropriate to collect the evidence as to their effectiveness as longer-term safety measures.”
“I’m pleased to note that through the Freight On Rail Group (FORG), the industry has indicated that they are going to be doing that.”
In all the report identified around 30 potential controls for improving train visibility at level crossings with the majority focussed on better illumination of trains. At this stage there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of these controls, emphasising the need for further testing and evaluation by freight operators.
In addition to FORG, the Australasian Railway Association, the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board and TrackSafe are supporting the work to improve train visibility.
ONRSR along with the broader rail industry is confident that the continued trialling of the measures identified may deliver options for short, medium, and longer-term initiatives that make a positive difference to rail safety.
In the meantime ONRSR continues to focus on the broader issue of level crossing safety and a range of initiatives it is undertaking as part of the issue’s standing as an ongoing national priority.
To download a copy of the report, click on the link below.