The National Transport Commission is working with all governments and industry on the biggest change to Australian rail in over a century.
Through the National Rail Action Plan, we’re reducing differences across our railways and taking a national approach to make rail simpler, safer and better.
We’re taking an important step forward and proposing changes to regulations in the Rail Safety National Law.
Australia’s rail system is currently made up of 18 separate rail networks, 11 different signalling systems, and countless different rules.
With $155 Billion being spent modernising our rail networks, now is the right time to have technologies that work together, more common operating rules and a simpler way to get trains on tracks.
Creating an interoperable rail system is a priority for all Australian governments.
Currently under the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL), rail transport operators have not needed to consider the national interoperability impacts of their individual network decisions.
A lack of interoperability across rail networks is a challenge in creating a safer and more efficient railway system.
The NTC is developing a new regulatory requirement in the RSNL Regulations for rail transport operators to have an Interoperability Management Plan (IMP) as part of their Safety Management System (SMS).
The proposed regulatory change would require rail transport operators consider national interoperability when planning changes to their railway operations.
This would apply to all rail transport operators with railway operations on the National Network for Interoperability (NNI).
We are now seeking feedback on the proposed amendment to the RSNL National Regulations to include this requirement.
Further background on the proposed requirement can be viewed in the consultation document here. The document also contains questions to consider when submitting feedback.
You can lodge a submission by emailing us at NRAP-Secretariat@ntc.gov.au by 5:00pm AEST Friday 4 October 2024.
If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact the NTC via NRAP-Secretariat@ntc.gov.au