ARTC distribution of safety information by train notice was sub-optimal. There was scope to improve reliability of safety information distribution and to consider opportunities for operators in Victoria (and SA and WA) to receive direct distribution of train notices for their operations on the ARTC network.
ARTC implementation of improvement in document control processes and visibility of safety critical notices on WebRAMS should reduce risk associated with this safety issue. The status is open pending ARTC consideration of further opportunities for its distribution of safety critical information.
ARTC advised that it had completed the consolidation of safety critical information notices, and improved document control process and access reducing the risk that safety critical information is not current, available, or disseminated. ARTC also advised improvements to safety critical communications have been made in ARTC WebRAMS for Train Notices and Speed Restrictions for SA, WA and VIC sections of the network. Updates include the highlighting of safety critical communication in red and an increased character count within Train Notices. The ARTC WebRAMS User Guide has also been updated to reflect WebRAMS improvements. ARTC also advised that it is continuing to explore further options for the distribution of safety critical information to build on the improvements made to date.
ATSB acknowledges the described safety actions on WebRAMS to highlight safety critical information and improve document control. ATSB also acknowledges that ARTC is continuing to explore further options for its distribution of safety information and ATSB will report the outcome of those considerations on the ATSB website.
