The reporter has raised a concern relating to excessively bright visibility lights used on [Operator] locomotives operating on the [Location] system.
The reporter states that the visibility lights are blinding and distracting to opposite direction drivers who may potentially miss or misinterpret signals. These lights may also distract road users. The rail traffic crew (RTC) of these trains regularly get flashed by other operator's RTC due to the brightness of their visibility lights, and therefore turn them off while passing other rail traffic.
The reporter queries if the visibility lighting complies with the network [standard] which states 'visibility lights should not cause discomfort to drivers of oncoming trains or to oncoming vehicles on public motor carriageways'. The reporter states the standard does allow for visibility lights to be dimmed and further queries if the operator's locomotives are equipped with the dimming feature.
The operator has conducted an internal review of the information provided and can provide the following information.
Unfortunately, the report is vague in relation to dates, times and class of locomotive though I can confirm that [Operator] has not received any formal or informal advice from the applicable network owner or third-party operators in relation to the intensity and focus of our locomotives visibility lighting in the last 12 months. [Operator] locomotives do comply with the required standards of the network owner.
On [date], [Operator] received information that the forward-facing visibility lights on our [type] class locomotives were causing concern to other operators crossing/approaching our trains on the stated network. [Operator] created work orders to inspect the focus and alignment of the [type] visibility lights on all locomotives of this class. The work was completed per the attached documentation (supplied to the ATSB and ONRSR).
[Operator] is currently operating [number] [type] class locomotives on the [Location] system and as a precautionary measure will inspect these locomotives over the coming weeks to ensure the focus and alignment remains within specifications. Should these inspections reveal misalignment, further work orders will be created to inspect the entire [type] fleet again. Further, should misalignment be identified, a review of the inspection and maintenance regime of the visibility lights will be reviewed to ensure further incidents of misalignment are addressed.
ONRSR has reviewed the reporter’s concerns and operator’s response including additional supporting information provided. ONRSR will conduct a regulatory activity on the rail transport operator involved as part of the ONRSR National Work Program to ensure the locomotive lighting meets the required standards. ONRSR will also liaise with other rolling stock operators using the rail network to gain further understanding of the reported issue.