The ARA, together with the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination and the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB), has released significant research into the harmonisation of rail standards.
The Harmonisation of Rail Standards Research Report outlines several initiatives to streamline standards, technologies and processes for operating the rail network. It proposes establishing a National Rail Standards Harmonisation Strategy, overseen by a dedicated national body and developed in conjunction with industry stakeholders, as a crucial first step.
The report details the detrimental impact of differing standards across several critical areas including operational interoperability, economies of scale for suppliers, type approval processes, decarbonisation efforts, safety, technology adoption and labour mobility.
The research, undertaken by GHD Advisory, was launched on Wednesday October 23 at Rail First Asset Management in Adelaide. The launch was attended by ARA Chair Danny Broad, ARA General Manager – Supply Chain and Diversity, Natalie Currey, ARA General Manager – Freight and Heavy Haul, Georgia Nicholls, National Rail Manufacturing Advocate Jacqui Walters, ARTC CEO Wayne Johnson, Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator CEO Natalie Pellham, RISSB CEO Damien White and NTC CEO and Commissioner Michael Hopkins, as well as representatives from GHD, Siemens Mobility, Core Innovation Hub, SA Dept of Infrastructure & Transport and the SA Freight Council.
ARA Chair Danny Broad addressed the launch, saying the ARA is very proud to lead this important research.
“For years, the ARA has advocated on the immense value of standardisation and harmonisation across jurisdictions and rail networks,” Mr Broad said.
“Joining together with NTC, ONRIC and RISSB is particularly powerful and demonstrates a unified commitment to addressing the critical importance of getting the settings right to support a more efficient, safer and productive industry.
Harmonised standards enables not only the supply chain, but also buyers and operators to unlock billions of dollars in benefits by improving procurement processes and investments in rail through a more cohesive, national strategy,” he said.