Past Events

The most recent past events

South Australia Local Technical Meeting (with PWI/RTSA/RTAA)

September 3 @ 5:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Hilton Hotel, Corner South Road & Sir Donald Bradman Drive
Hilton, South Australia 5033 Australia

“Human Factors – Cognitive Biases in Signal Engineering” by Ian Rayo – ARTC
“Level Crossing Remote Activation’’ by Graeme Baker – ARTC
“Cyber Security for ETCS” by Maarten Burghout & Andrew Mac – Quantum Rail

Further details and registration can be found here.

Rail Industry Awards 2026

September 1 @ 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
14 Darling Drive
Sydney, New South Wales 2000 Australia

Details for this event can be found here:

https://ara.net.au/events/rail-industry-awards/

New South Wales Local Technical Meeting (with RTSA and SESA)

September 1 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Mezzanine Level, 44 Market Street
Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

Simplifying ETCS Level 2 Integration

For rail operators, deploying advanced technologies such as European Train Control System (ETCS) L2 and traffic management systems represents both a major change and a significant challenge. In many instances these transformation projects involve the integration of unfamiliar COTS products into existing systems.

At the same time operators are faced with the need to avoid disruption by trying to minimise the impact the new systems will have on their operational procedures. Based on project experience, this presentation outlines an interface management approach that has successfully de-risked the deployment of ETCS L2 and enabled its integration into an existing railway.

The presentation will guide you through the 12 steps of successful interface management and how the process can be supported with the use of Model-Based Systems Engineering.

The presentation will both in-person and online.

Event details and registration can be found here.

Conference on Railway Excellence (CORE) 2026

August 17 - August 19
North Terrace
Adelaide, South Australia 5000 Australia

Details for this conference can be found here:

https://eecw.eventsair.com/core-2026

WLX (Wireless Level Crossing Solution) Webinar

July 22 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Presentation: ‘WLX – Wireless Level Crossing Solution’

Across regional and remote Australia, many public road level crossings still rely on passive controls or signs, at these sites, the final safety decision is left to the road users.

This solution focussed on the engineering challenge of “develop an ‘as safe’ active level crossing solution at a reduced cost”.

WLX is designed to provide AS1742.7 compliant active warnings without the current trenching, cabling and power burden of a traditional hard-wired installation.

WLX supports compliant RX5 lights, audible warning devices, signage plus active advance warning signs and half boom barriers.

Presenters:
David Aldridge | Aldridge
Stewart Rendell FIRSE | Sigtech Solutions

Register Here

Victoria Local Technical Meeting

July 15 @ 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur St
Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia

Presentation One:

Beyond Compliance: Applying iESM to Real-World Railway Signalling
Roopavathy Mani
Senior Project Engineer, Infrastructure – Suburban Rail Loop Authority

 

Presentation Two:

Managing network complexity through network consolidation and IDS: improving network performance and cybersecurity onboard railway vehicles
Mark Gibbs
Global Market Director – Train Networks, Westermo

 

Further details can be found here.

New South Wales Local Technical Meeting

June 23 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
37 Reservoir Street
Surry Hills, New South Wales 2010 Australia

IRSE Presidential Lecture | ETCS: Human Factors and AI

Presenter
Colin Zhu FIRSE, Principal Commissioning Manager, Hitachi Rail

 

Join us for the IRSE’s third Presidential Lecture in the series “Human Factors in the Age of Automation”.

A presentation of a practical, real-world case study of human factors analysis using artificial intelligence agents and automated tools. Based on Hitachi Rail’s ETCS Tablet Solution, it focuses on the use of portable onboard devices and portable protection devices. These devices are essential for the safe operation of on-track machines and unfitted vehicles in ETCS territory.

The presentation introduces the ETCS Tablet Solution and describes how human factor analysis, supported by artificial intelligence, has been used to provide an efficient and cost-effective understanding of how the safety-critical equipment is used.

Meet our Global President, Prof Rod Muttram FIRSE, at the networking event after.

 

Event details and registration can be found here.

Western Australia Local Technical Meeting

June 18 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
300 Murray Street
Perth, Western Australia 6000 Australia

Face to Face Event

Presentation 1: ‘Functional Safety techniques recently introduced in other transport industries and the applicability to railway signalling’

Presenter: Derek Hughes AMIRSE FSP | RioTinto

The growing complexity of modern, digitally integrated rail systems is outpacing traditional fail safe and SIL based safety methods. This research explores emerging techniques to strengthen hazard identification and safety assurance, complementing established signalling practices.

Presentation 2: ‘National Train Control Strategy – What is the view from WA and Perth?’

Presenter: Dr. Frank Heibel | Doc Frank Rail Services

From a Western Australian viewpoint on the National Train Control Strategy for NNI; driven by the National Rail Action Plan – sets the direction for a consistent and interoperable future for rail signalling.

Presentation 3: ‘Project success – NEWest Metronet YRE & TCL’

Presenter: Antonyraj Piramanayagam | DT Infrastructure

Key Challenges and Learned lessons from two recent successful projects
Thornlie-Cockburn Link (TCL) and Yanchep Rail Extension (YRE).

 

07:00 pm onwards: Networking and Refreshments

 

Further details and registration can be found here.

Victoria Local Technical Meeting

June 17 @ 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur St
Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia

AI and Machine Learning: Why People Still Matter

This in-person presentation aligns with the current Presidential theme, Human Factors in the Age of Automation.

The presentation will explore the critical role of human factors alongside advancing AI and machine learning technologies, and why people remain essential despite increasing automation.

This will be a valuable opportunity to learn, ask questions and network with the local rail community.

 

Presenter:

Rod Muttram
IRSE Global President

 

Further details can be found here.

Victoria Younger Members Meeting

June 17 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Level 15, 80 Collins St
Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia

Special Session for Younger Members

This session provides an opportunity to meet the IRSE Global President and discuss topics relevant to those learning about rail signalling, train control, telecommunications and rail systems.

The session will also include a Back to Basics training component. Attendees are welcome to continue on to the Victoria Local Technical Meeting afterwards.

Places for the Young Members Session are limited. Please register your attendance before the event by emailing Daniel Martin at vic@irse.org.au.

Further details can be found here.

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