Awards - Australasian Railway Association

The Australasian Rail Industry Awards (ARI Awards) recognise and celebrate the achievements, innovation and successes of those working in the rail industry.

2024 AUSTRALASIAN RAIL INDUSTRY (ARI) AWARDS WINNERS

Young Rail Professional Award
Supported by RTSA

Winner: Dylan Jacobs - Jacobs

Dylan’s career in rail spans across two continents, starting with Heavy Haul Freight Rail projects in South Africa and transitioning to significant rail projects in Australia. His role as Track Lead on the Bedford Road Level Crossing Removal Project highlighted his ability to solve complex engineering problems within a constrained site. Dylan’s innovative solutions and attention to detail were instrumental in ensuring the project’s success.

Emerging Rail Specialist Award
Supported by RTAA

Winner: Curtiss Hood - Acciona Rail

With six years of experience in rail, including three with Acciona Rail, Curtiss has demonstrated exceptional innovation and leadership. His development of the Key Switch Isolation method significantly enhances safety by reducing the risk of human error in isolating level crossings. This method, first implemented at Parkdale Station in Melbourne, has already saved significant time and costs and, most importantly, it has improved safety.

Young Achiever Award  
Supported by PWI NSW

Winner: Samiha Najem - Sydney Trains

Samiha, as the Associate Director of Operational Technology, has significantly advanced safety, security, and efficiency within Sydney Trains. Her work on uplifting Operational Technology systems, including implementing cyber security measures, has been pivotal in ensuring the reliability and safety of rail services for over a million passengers daily. Samiha’s innovative strategies, collaboration and dedication to driving technological advancements is impressive.

Signalling and Systems Engineering Excellence Award
Supported by IRSE

Winner: Mohan Sankarasubbu - Hitachi

With over 21 years’ experience in rail signalling, Mohan has demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in the rail signalling industry. Among his many achievements is his work on Queensland’s Cross River Rail project, which will deliver a new sub-surface route under the river, increasing the North/South capacity on the network. Mohan led the first-time deployment of ETCS L2 in Australia for a passenger network. Mohan’s efforts have significantly contributed to reducing testing downtimes and enhancing operational efficiency, showcasing his commitment to safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Customer Service Excellence Award 
Sponsored by John Holland Group | Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: Metro Trains Melbourne – The 2024 Taylor Swift concert series

Metro Trains Melbourne demonstrated outstanding customer service during the Taylor Swift concert series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Faced with significant logistical challenges, the M.T.M. delivered an additional 145 train services and deployed over 200 additional staff to ensure the smooth and safe crowd management and transportation of more than 130,000 attendees over three nights.

Employee Engagement Excellence Award 
Sponsored by Rio Tinto | Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: Metro Trains Sydney – One Business One Line

Metro Trains Sydney excelled in fostering a unified and engaged workforce through their comprehensive internal communications and engagement program. The ‘One Business One Line’ initiative successfully enhanced collaboration, alignment, operational readiness, and employee satisfaction. With innovative events, engaging content, and effective utilisation of communications channels, MTS has set a new standard in authentic and meaningful employee engagement.

Rail Freight Excellence Award 
Sponsored by Port of Melbourne | Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals - Project SABRE 

The efficient operation of Australia’s supply chain is critical to the ongoing stability and growth of our nation. Project SABRE, a joint initiative between NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals, has revolutionised rail operations at Port Botany by introducing the world’s first fully automated on-dock rail terminal (AutoRail) integrated with an automated container terminal. This $190 million investment has increased capacity, efficiency, and safety, enabling the handling of over 500,000 TEUs annually, with the potential to exceed 1 million TEUs as demand increases. The project also significantly reduces truck movements on city roads, cutting emissions and transport costs.

Supplier Excellence Award 
Sponsored by Siemens | Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: Kallipr – IoT technology to enhance safety, efficiency, and compliance across various rail operations

Kallipr’s pioneering projects including real-time rail temperature monitoring with Aurizon and flood monitoring with Keolis Downer Yarra Trams and Transdev Sydney Light Rail, have set new benchmarks for safety and operational efficiency. The Captis Recharge IoT data loggers, equipped with multiple sensors and NB-IoT technology, provide highly localised and timely data, enabling proactive maintenance and operational decisions.

Rail Innovation of the Year Award
Sponsored by Project i-TRACE, powered by GS1 Australia | Supported by A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: Aurizon and Kallipr – Enhanced Rail Safety and Efficiency through Real-Time Temperature Monitoring Innovation

Aurizon, in collaboration with Kallipr, has significantly enhanced rail safety and operational efficiency by implementing an advanced rail temperature monitoring system using IoT technology. The Captis Recharge IoT data loggers provide real-time temperature data from rail tracks, enabling precise and immediate operational decisions. This innovation not only improves safety by preventing track buckling but also reduces operational disruptions, delivering significant cost savings and increased efficiency.

Sustainability Excellence Award
Sponsored by Acciona Rail | Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: Mt Derrimut Road Level Crossing Removal Project, Western Program Alliance (Level Crossing Removal Project, McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald, Arup, Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line)

The Western Program Alliance has demonstrated outstanding innovation and commitment to sustainability, delivering a number of firsts in rail, including the first use of the Polyrok in structural concrete, and canopies made from 121 solar panels providing a 65kw solar array and saving around 300 tonnes of carbon annually.

By incorporating climate adaptation measures, Indigenous design, and novel materials like Polyrok, they have set new benchmarks for sustainable infrastructure. Their efforts in reducing urban heat, enhancing community spaces, and First Nations involvement have created a lasting positive impact on the environment and local communities.

Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award 
Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: Queensland Rail – Engineering Pathways program

Queensland Rail’s Engineering Pathways program, in partnership with Multicultural Australia, provides refugees and asylum seekers with opportunities to gain experience and qualifications in rail engineering. Since its inception, the program has supported participants in overcoming barriers to employment, offering hands-on experience across a variety of engineering disciplines. This initiative not only enhances the talent pool within Queensland Rail but also reflects the Queensland Rail’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Passenger Operations Excellence Award 
Supported by the A ustralasian Railway Association

Winner: V/Line – New Fairer Fares Policy

V/Line’s New Fairer Fares Policy has significantly enhanced transport affordability by aligning regional public transport fares with metropolitan zones. This initiative has resulted in record-breaking patronage, with over 20 million trips taken and $50 million saved by passengers in just 12 months. The policy has not only improved accessibility but also fostered positive economic and environmental impacts across Victoria.

Infrastructure Project Excellence Award
Sponsored by Andrew Engineering | Supported by RTSA

Winner: ARTC - Modernising Critical Train Communications across Australia

The ARTC team has been instrumental in modernising critical train communications across Australia through the National Train Communications System (NTCS) Technology Refresh Project, ensuring a seamless transition from 3G to 4G. The project team embraced the challenge, managing site upgrade works, and supporting above rail operators to upgrade ICE radios to 4G across 8,500km of rail network, safeguarding the future operations of not only ARTC’s network, but other networks, too.

Safety Excellence Award
Supported by RISSB

Winner: Queensland Rail – Mental Health Co-deployment Trial

Safety incidents related to mental health on the rail network have a significant impact on the person, their family and friends, and rail employees. Queensland Rail’s Mental Health Co-Deployment Trial with the Queensland Police Service Railway Squad and Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services was an Australia-first initiative on the rail network, delivering positive community safety outcomes. This initiative is continuing to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the community.

Keeping communities safe on and around rail (TrackSAFE Foundation)
Sponsored by TrackSAFE Foundation

Winner: Canberra Metro Operations – SAIL Program

Canberra Metro Operations has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and safety through their Student Accessibility Inclusion Liaison (SAIL) program. This innovative program combines theoretical and practical activations to promote rail safety for young adults with additional needs.

Career Achievement Award Winner
Sponsored by Frauscher | Supported by the Australasian Railway Association

Winner: Phil Ellingworth, Chief Engineer at Metro Trains Melbourne

Phil has over 42 years of dedicated service in the rail industry, beginning his career in 1981 with British Rail’s Signal and Telecommunications division while pursuing a BSc in Electronic Engineering. He advanced through various roles, ultimately becoming Production Manager in 1995. Phil transitioned to Signalling Control UK, later Westinghouse Rail, before relocating to Melbourne in 1998. He became Managing Director of Invensys Rail Asia Pacific in 2000, later founding PMJE Consulting in 2012. Since 2015, Phil has served as Chief Engineer for Metro Trains Melbourne.

Phil’s leadership, technical expertise, advocacy for innovation, his mentorship of emerging professionals and unwavering focus on safety has significantly contributed to the rail sector. In addition, Phil has driven transformative projects, including playing a pivotal role in the modernisation of Melbourne’s rail network signalling systems through the introduction of a Computer Based Train Control (CBTC) system.

Hosts of the awards

The awards were established in partnership with a range of rail organisations in recognition of our shared support for excellence in the rail industry. We thank the Rail Track Association Australia, Rail Technical Society Australasia, Permanent Way Institution, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers and Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board for their continued support.

Sponsorship opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring for the 2024 Australasian Rail Industry Awards, please contact ARA General Manager for Events and Partnerships, Kassandra Koudelka.

View partnership prospectus.