REGISTER

Chris Wilkins B. Eng. Elect. MIRSE Aurizon

Chris Truscott B. Eng. Elect; MIRSE Aurizon

Keith Walker FIRSE

One of the most dangerous areas in the Australasian Network are level crossings. Maintenance activities in this area add to this risk and these activities to a large extent have been ignored. All Railway Authorities have processes in place to protect Motorists during level crossing maintenance activities by not closing the road to Motorists unnecessarily or for extended periods. As the Vital Disabling Release (VDR) is tested during the initial commissioning, it can subsequently be applied to the crossing in a safe and timely manner by non-Signalling Staff after the appropriate training e.g. Track Protection Officer (TPO) who is in charge of the worksite. These processes also protect maintenance machinery operating in the vicinity of the level crossing. This paper sets out Aurizon’s direction for introducing a VDR which we believe provides a structure to managing these risks from both a cost and more importantly a safety perspective. Maintenance Engineering Staff have recently requested that the installation of VDR’s become standard practice in all level crossing design. A cost/benefit has been investigated between the existing operation and the VDR. There is a reduction in labour expenses and improved safety after a VDR is installed.