The rail industry has released important research outlining the case for consistent national standards which could save billions of dollars by supporting a more efficient, safer and productive industry.
The Harmonisation of Rail Standards Research Report outlines several initiatives to streamline standards, technologies and processes for operating the rail network.
The report was jointly funded by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), National Transport Commission (NTC), Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC) and the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) and prepared by GHD Advisory.
It proposes a national body to oversee the development of a National Rail Standards Harmonisation Strategy, in conjunction with industry, and identifies several key initiatives.
The initiatives are aimed at increasing operational interoperability and improving type approval processes to enable better economies of scale for suppliers, as well as improving safety and lowering training costs.
Harmonised standards would also support better uptake of new technologies and innovation as well as decarbonisation efforts, by increasing mode share, as the industry transitions to net zero.
The Australian rail industry is hampered by the legacy of a fragmented and inconsistent network that pre-dates Federation, with 29 separate rail networks, each using different standards, codes and rule books, and varying technologies and processes for building, operating and accessing the rail infrastructure.
ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie said the report provides rigorous analysis to better inform ways to address current challenges in rail interoperability and prioritise the highest value areas of harmonisation.
"It is critical that industry works together, with government, to reduce costs and inefficiencies in the rail industry to ensure a more sustainable, productive and safer railway network," Ms Wilkie said.
"Rail standards harmonisation, particularly in key areas such as signalling and control system standards, would foster technical and operational interoperability, enabling freight and passenger rail to move more easily between major cities and regions," Ms Wilkie said.
Michael Hopkins, CEO at the NTC, said the research strongly supports the work underway through the National Rail Action Plan (NRAP) to develop and implement a National Rail Standards Framework for Australia. Led by the NTC, the significant program of national rail reform is a priority for all Australian transport ministers and National Cabinet.
"The work is delivering the most significant change to Australian rail since electrification. It's making rail simpler, safer and better through consistent national approaches," Mr Hopkins said.
"The first three mandatory standards to be introduced through NRAP will ensure the interoperability of signalling systems, support consistent driver interfaces and will simplify the rollingstock approval process.
"This report lifts our understanding of what is stopping rail from having a bigger role in the national economy and moving more people and products between cities, regions and ports."
Jacqui Walters, the National Rail Manufacturing Advocate, said the report illustrates how rollingstock component specifications and procurement processes vary significantly across the country, limiting opportunities for Australian manufacturers to achieve scale and efficiency.
"Australia has a highly fragmented national market for rollingstock, rail equipment and components and each network typically has different definitions and commitments to the use of local content," Ms Walters said.
"ONRIC is working with jurisdictions and industry to deliver the National Rail Procurement and Manufacturing Strategy which seeks to simplify procurement and harmonise standards across states and territories, increase innovation and improve skills and capabilities in the rail manufacturing sector."
Damien White, Chief Executive of RISSB, said: "Twenty years ago industry established RISSB to support the harmonisation of standards. However, voluntary efforts to date have not been enough to initiate consistent application of standards by RIMs and RTOs. This report reaffirms the value of consistent standards where valuable to do so and suggests mechanisms to deliver the desired outcomes."
The report highlights how industry acknowledges that mandating of some key standards will be required to address the barriers and realise key benefits, similar to the approach applied in the European Union to address interoperability.
"Over $155 billion is forecast to be invested in rail over the next 15 years, which represents a previously unseen level of infrastructure spending. Given the magnitude of expenditure, even modest efficiency improvements resulting from the appropriate application of harmonised national standards have the potential to generate significant investment returns from operational interoperability and rail equipment supply," the report stated.
Each of the bodies is considering the proposals to determine next steps.
Read the Harmonisation of Rail Standards Research Report and Summary Report here.
