The ARA will issue invitations for a tender in mid-January 2024 to undertake research on the development of a national standards framework for transport agencies and operators. 

The ARA is partnering with NTC, RISSB and ONTIC to undertake research to gain deeper insights into barriers to the adoption of existing international and Australian standards. 

This will help inform the development of a national standards framework by identifying those standards that would have the greatest impact when harmonised.  

This includes aspects such as rollingstock manufacturing, interoperability, safe working, and the transition to a net-zero environment.  

The research will also highlight the changes in standards development, the impact on innovation and the cost of transitioning the industry to national interoperability.  

The outcomes of this research will assist in engaging industry and supporting the prioritisation of future work on the National Rail Action Plan and the National Procurement and Manufacturing Plan for more effective standards development and outcomes. 

The Federal Government announced its National Rail Procurement and Manufacturing Strategy at the ARA’s AusRAIL PLUS 2023 conference last month. 

The Strategy outlines several actions required to achieve a more sustainable and competitive rail manufacturing sector and is a significant step towards increasing productivity and growth in the rail industry. 

The ARA has advocated strongly for better harmonisation across the country since the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC) was formed last year. 

Read the ARA Media Release here.