An XPT passenger train exceeded a temporary speed restriction by more than 60 km/h after its driver was provided with an ambiguous notice of the restriction, a transport safety investigation has concluded.
The investigation into the incident was conducted by the Office of the Chief Investigator, which investigates rail occurrences in Victoria in accordance with a collaboration agreement with the ATSB.
The investigation's final report notes that, on the morning of 24 May 2022, a temporary speed restriction (TSR) of 40 km/h was in place for a section of track over Moonee Ponds Creek bridge. ARTC network controllers had applied the TSR in response to a rough ride report made by the driver of an earlier train.
While the TSR was in place, an XPT passenger service from Sydney to Melbourne travelled through the section at about 100 km/h.
Chief Investigator Mark Smallwood said the driver of the XPT train had been given a warning for the TSR that was ambiguous as it described the location using only kilometres, which contributed to the exceedance.
"The driver was provided with a condition affecting network warning saying the TSR was applied between 24.0 and 24.4 km," Mr Smallwood said.
"However, the standard gauge route to Melbourne contained two locations with these same kilometres in the path of the train."
The driver slowed the train at the first 24.4 km location but did not do so as they crossed over Moonee Ponds Creek bridge, the second location of that kilometrage on their route where the TSR applied.
Mr Smallwood highlighted that the method of warning trains of a TSR was an administrative process.
"The administrative processes used by the network operator, ARTC, to warn train crew about TSRs, were vulnerable to errors in creation and communication," Mr Smallwood said.
"There were opportunities to improve existing processes and to adopt technology-supported solutions to reduce risk associated with the implementation of TSRs."
In response to this issue, ARTC has implemented an electronic system for generating condition affecting network warnings that prompts train controllers to provide two types of location identification information. ARTC also advised of a longer-term action to implement digital transmission of speed warnings to trains by 2028.
Mr Smallwood welcomed the safety actions by ARTC.
"In the Australian rail context, administrative processes have often been established for long periods of time while technology has improved," he concluded.
"Opportunities exist for safety improvement in rail safeworking through the modernisation of administrative controls and adoption of technology-supported solutions."
You can find here the final report: Exceedance of temporary speed restriction by XPT ST21, Merri-bek, Victoria, on 24 May 2022
