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Management of track lateral stability
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

The ARTC systems for managing track lateral stability did not lead to the location being managed as a location potentially vulnerable to instability.

Response by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)

The ARTC advised that this location was not deemed to be a special location. The process for identifying special locations, targets locations susceptible to incorrect SFT and instability. ARTC also advised that the Track Stability Management Plan (TSMP) for the 30-200 km section had been reviewed by its internal audit team. As part of the 2019/20 TSMP, 10 sites had been subject to VERSE (Stress Free Temperature) testing, and 13 sites identified as special locations for the monitoring of track stability. This included the Creighton derailment site.

ATSB comment

The ARTC response does not address the systemic issue of why this location was not identified as a location vulnerable to instability.
Issue number
RO-2019-003-SI-01
Issue Status
Closed – Not addressed
Transport Function
Rail: Freight
Issue Owner
Australian rail Track Corporation
Mode of Transport
Rail
Issue Status Justification

The safety issue has not been addressed.

Issue finalisation date
Safety recommendation
Action number
RO-2019-003-SR-015
Organisation
Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Australian Rail Track Corporation reviews its processes and criteria for identifying and managing track locations vulnerable to lateral instability, considering the findings of this investigation report.