The practice of pathing a following train onto a line occupied by a preceding train, when an alternate route was available and not obstructed, presented an elevated level of risk.
The ATSB is satisfied that the actions proposed by the ARTC, for maximising the use of available and suitable infrastructure will reduce the risk of this type of safety issue.
In response to this safety issue, the Australian Rail Track Corporation have advised of the following proactive safety action:
ARTC will issue a Network Control Centre Notice to all control centres directing that when operationally possible maximum use of available and suitable infrastructure should be made to reduce risk while optimising train running.
