Topics
Growing momentum for a single integrated rail system
Twenty-five years ago, the NTC developed Australia’s first set of national road rules. Today 95 per cent of road rules are consistent across the country, making driving between states and territories safer and easier. Now, the NTC is doing the same for rail.
Our CEO, Michael Hopkins, was in Perth this month giving an update on how NRAP is working to harmonise technologies, trains, rules and training across Australia’s national network.
Industry and transport ministers agree that a more integrated national network will make rail safer, more efficient and able to play a bigger role in the country’s transport system.
Digital technology that works across networks
As Australia’s rail networks move to new digital signalling systems, we’re working with industry and governments to ensure the technology is rolled out in a consistent way.
This will allow trains to get the full safety and productivity benefits of the new systems and reduce management, maintenance and training costs.
NTC’s Executive Adviser for Rail Technologies, Stephen Lennon gave a detailed update on this critical program when he presented at the Rail Signalling conference in Perth this month.
Analysis of rail roles supports a mobile workforce
Managing a workforce which operates across more than one rail network is costly and complex in Australia, where there are many similar but differently named roles with varying competencies, training and assessments.
To help harmonise skills and support a more mobile workforce at a lower cost, we have identified the top 10 operations and maintenance roles across Australia’s 18 rail network, and grouped together their most frequently used titles.
This is an important step towards simplifying nationally recognised competencies and will help to:
- reduce the knowledge burden on workers
- improve safety
- drive down training costs
- improve worker mobility.
A harmonised data base will also improve forecasting and workforce planning. So, industry can better identify and respond to rail skills shortages.
The Rail Operations and Maintenance Roles: Top 10 Role Analysis Working Paper is now on our website. You can download the report here.
And find out more about what we’re doing to harmonise operating rules and training here.
Seeking expressions of interest for a national rolling stock program
The NTC is seeking expressions of interest from rail infrastructure managers (RIMs) to join our pilot program for a single national rolling stock application process.
At the moment, RIMs have various certification, registration and network approvals specifically for their network. This is costly and complicated for rail operators working on multiple networks. And a deterrent to investment in new, innovative rolling stock.
Having a single process that’s recognised across the national network will make it easier to get new trains running and improve rail’s ability to compete with road freight.
NRAP is working on a two-year program to simplify and streamline rolling stock approval processes. We’re partnering with the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) to assess commonalities and differences in existing safety assurance processes. A discussion paper highlighting ideas for improvement will be released to stakeholders for feedback in April.
In the meantime, we’re looking for RIMs to be involved in a pilot program for a single national application process scheduled to begin in mid-2025.
To find out more or express your interest, contact the team at rollingstock@ntc.gov.au
You can find out more about the program in a new article on Rail Express here.