The non-operation of rail level crossing protection following track maintenance highlights the need for formal processes for inhibiting, reinstating and testing rail level crossing protection before rail services resume, an ATSB reports says.
On the night of 21-22 September 2018, active protection at eight railway level crossings between the Warncoort Loop and Camperdown in regional Victoria was removed to facilitate overnight track maintenance. Active protection was due to be reinstated and the operation of crossing protection equipment tested at each level crossing before the track returned to service the next day.
The next morning, the driver of the Melbourne-to-Warrnambool service noticed the flashing lights for the Hart Street level crossing in Colac were not operating, the investigation report, conducted on behalf of the ATSB by Victoria’s Chief Investigator, Transport Safety, noted.
The driver made an emergency brake application but was unable to stop the train from entering the crossing. Forunately there was no road traffic at the time.
A subsequent inspection of the Hart Street crossing found that its active level crossing protection equipment was still inhibited from the previous night’s maintenance work.
Those involved in the activity had only partially restored the crossing protection and the track was returned to service with the Hart Street level crossing protection not operational.
When removing or isolating safety equipment it is important to have formal procedures that require the recording of the isolation, reinstatement and testing to ensure the work is complete
The investigation found that V/Line did not have formal detailed processes for inhibiting, and then reinstating rail level crossing protection equipment.
“When isolating safety equipment, it is important to have formal procedures that require the recording of the equipment’s isolation, reinstatement and testing, in order to validate that restoration work is completed before rail services resume,” the investigation report’s safey message stresses.
Without the benefit of any prescribed procedure there was no process for those doing the work to record and check their actions and ensure correct and complete reinstatement of the level crossing protection.
V/Line has since developed new procedures for inhibiting and reinstating rail level crossing protection, and has reviewed resourcing for similar complex maintenance work.
Read the report: Non-operation of level crossing protection, at Colac, Victoria, on 22 September 2018