Supporting a new national approach for rail

Through NRAP, we're coordinating the rollout of digital trail control technologies across the National Network for Interoperability (NNI). This includes developing Australia’s first mandatory rail standards to ensure digital train control and signalling technologies are interoperable.

We recently released a discussion paper outlining the proposed scope for these standards. Closing date for feedback is Thursday 17 July. Watch a recording of the introductory webinar, where we introduced the scope and purpose of the paper.

For a deeper dive into specifications and interoperability requirements, join one of our technical workshops. To register your interest, send us an email.

Workshops dates:

• Monday 23 June: Rail infrastructure managers
• Wednesday 25 June: Suppliers and manufacturers
• Monday 30 June: Rolling stock operators 

The closing date for feedback is Thursday 17 July. Please provide your feedback via this form to NRAP-Secretariat@ntc.gov.au. 

Through NRAP the NTC is harmonising national standards with a three-tiered national rail standards framework. 
The three tiers include:

• what must be done to ensure interoperabilty and safety across Australia’s rail networks (mandatory standards) 
• what should be done to improve consistency (national standards for harmonisation)
• what might be done to lift efficiencies on individual networks (local standards).

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Mandatory standards will focus on:

• digital train control technology
• driver interface
• rolling stock approval processes.

Harmonisation standards, rules and ways of working will provide a best practice approach to harmonising:

• operating rules and processes
• infrastructure and train componentry
• skills and training.

Localised standards allow for standards and training requirements where national rail interoperability is not impacted.

To develop the national rail standards framework, we have been working closely with industry and governments. 

Together with the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB), Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Office of the National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC) we commissioned the Harmonisation of Rail Standards research report.  

The report highlights the need for a national body to oversee the development, implementation and adoption of nationally consistent rail standards. 

 

We’re also working with stakeholders to establish new institutional and governance arrangements.  

Broad consultation across the NRAP program has shown that this will be necessary to support a national approach to standards and drive interoperability and harmonisation nationally. 

The NTC will continue to work to develop arrangements for oversight in five areas: 

1. Interoperability assessment of future investments, to ensure individual network decisions will not negatively impact national interoperability
2. National standards development and adoption 
3. Rolling stock approval processes  
4. National safeworking governance 
5. Skills and competency oversight 
    

Implementing national standards and a new governance model will require changes to the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL). 

A recent review of the RSNL identified links between safety and interoperability and recommended that interoperability be a feature in the law. 

As a first step, the NTC is progressing amendments to RSNL regulations.  

This will require rail transport operators on the National Network for Interoperability (NNI) to consider national interoperability and have an Interoperability Management Plan as part of their Safety Management System when planning changes to their railway operations. 

Further changes to the RSNL are underway to build even stronger interoperability requirements into the law.