Australian Rail Track Corporation Implements New Track Standards After Safety Incident

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has updated its procedures and standards to address track misalignment and geometry defects after a derailment incident in Victoria. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

On January 29, 2020, a Pacific National freight train derailed near Barnawartha, Victoria, causing the train to split into three sections. This occurred while traveling on the ARTC interstate rail network towards Albury, New South Wales.

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The investigation by Victoria’s Office of the Chief Investigator (OCI) revealed that a V/Line passenger train encountered the derailed freight wagons shortly after the incident.

ARTC’s Response to the Incident

The ARTC took immediate action to enhance its track safety measures. The revised procedures aim to improve the identification of track misalignment and geometry defects, ensuring better management of potential risks. These changes also address the misalignment issues identified near the derailment site, which were overlooked in the ARTC’s previous reports.

The investigation found that a vertical track geometry defect, along with a probable lateral misalignment, caused the derailment. The ARTC’s exceedance report had not flagged these issues because track assessments were made against incorrect limits. As a result, vulnerable locations were not identified as potentially unstable.

New Procedures to Identify Track Vulnerabilities

The ARTC has implemented new standards to improve its ability to identify locations prone to instability. These standards focus on better track geometry and misalignment monitoring. Additionally, ARTC is reviewing technologies for improved stress-free temperature testing to better understand the role of rail stress in track misalignment.

ARTC’s updated procedures aim to significantly reduce derailment risks by ensuring thorough checks of track geometry and stability. By addressing these vulnerabilities, the ARTC strives to prevent future incidents and enhance overall rail safety.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous track monitoring. Track managers are urged to ensure that all standards and processes are effective in identifying and resolving geometry and stability issues to mitigate derailment risks.

Source: www.miragenews.com

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