DOCSLIB.ORG

Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings March 2010

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings March 2010 Management Crossings SafetyLevel Risks at of Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings March 2010 Victorian Auditor-General’s Report March 2010 2009-10:18 2009-10:18 Level 24 Telephone 61 3 8601 7000 35 Collins Street Facsimile 61 3 8601 7010 Melbourne Vic. 3000 www.audit.vic.gov.au V I C T O R I A Victorian Auditor-General Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings Ordered to be printed VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER March 2010 PP No 289, Session 2006–10 This report has been produced to ISO14001 environmental standards. It is printed on FSC credited Novatech Satin & Media Print Silk paper. The print supplier, Blue Star PRINT has initiated an EMS promoting minimisation of environmental impact through the deployment of efficient technology, rigorous quality management procedures and a philosophy of reduce, re-use and recycle. ISBN 978 1 921650 28 4 The Hon. Robert Smith MLC The Hon. Jenny Lindell MP President Speaker Legislative Council Legislative Assembly Parliament House Parliament House Melbourne Melbourne Dear Presiding Officers Under the provisions of section 16AB of the Audit Act 1994, I transmit my report on Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings. Yours faithfully D D R PEARSON Auditor-General 24 March 2010 Victorian Auditor-General’s Report Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings iii Contents Audit summary............................................................................................vii Background.............................................................................................................vii Conclusion ..............................................................................................................vii Findings ................................................................................................................. viii Recommendations...................................................................................................ix Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments............................ xi Introduction ..............................................................................................................xi Submissions and comments received .....................................................................xi 1. Background .............................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................1 1.2 The Towards Zero strategy ............................................................................. 2 1.3 Roles and responsibilities................................................................................ 2 1.4 Audit scope and objectives.............................................................................. 5 1.5 Structure of report ........................................................................................... 5 2. Risk management framework..................................................................7 2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................8 2.2 Conclusion....................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Findings........................................................................................................... 8 3. Measuring and improving safety outcomes............................................19 3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................20 3.2 Conclusion..................................................................................................... 20 3.3 Findings......................................................................................................... 20 Appendix A. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments.......33 Victorian Auditor-General’s Report Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings v Audit summary Background The audit examined the rate of progress in improving safety and reducing accidents at level crossings by assessing the management of these risks and the effectiveness of the treatments to address them. Most level crossing collisions happen because pedestrians or drivers are unaware of an approaching train, misjudge its arrival at the crossing, choose to ignore warning signals, or deliberately avoid the barriers designed to protect them. Physically separating or closing roads and footpaths that cross railway tracks would solve the problem. However, the costs of doing this and the impact on the mobility of the people affected, mean these solutions will be the exception rather than the rule. Managing safety risks is a shared responsibility between the rail and road organisations that manage, government agencies that oversee and regulate, and the people who use, level crossings. The Minister for Public Transport released the 10-year Towards Zero strategy in November 2009. Its objective is to reduce deaths and injuries and ultimately to achieve the goal that no lives are lost through accidents at level crossings. Between 2000–01 and 2008–09 level crossing accidents caused 73 deaths, an average of eight per year. While this is minimal compared with the road toll of about 300 deaths annually, these events are catastrophic for the people affected. There is also a risk of a level crossing collision where many people are killed and seriously injured. This happened when a goods vehicle hit a passenger train in June 2007 at Kerang in regional Victoria, killing 11 people and seriously injuring 12. The damage, beyond loss of life, can amount to millions of dollars. Conclusion The rate of progress in improving safety and reducing accidents has been satisfactory. There are, however, elements of the risk management framework and its application that can be improved. Victorian Auditor-General’s Report Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings vii Audit summary Findings Risk management framework The Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Steering Committee and the use of an evidence-based approach to assess and prioritise risks are important parts of the risk-management framework. These have set the scene for better management of level crossing safety. There is, however, room to strengthen the framework’s effectiveness by: • improving how the committee is informed of the views of the rail managers, who run train services and maintain the infrastructure, about their risks and priorities • assembling information that will allow the committee to effectively manage and monitor the delivery of the Towards Zero strategy • improving the understanding of what causes level crossing collisions. Measuring and improving the safety outcomes The decline in level crossing collisions over the past 10 years suggests that the department’s actions have improved level crossing safety when it is recognised that risk of conflict between road traffic and trains has risen with increased volumes. The department needs to improve how it measures and reports on the cost-effectiveness of the committee’s programs. The department does not have an accurate grasp of the cost-effectiveness of the treatments it deploys. Whilst it mostly understands the costs, it has not adequately evaluated the benefits. The department has acted to improve in this area by commissioning research and starting to apply the recommendations about how it evaluates treatments. The department has not adequately assessed treatments before their deployment, or once deployed, evaluated them. This means it has only a partial understanding of the realised benefits. There is a clear inconsistency in the way VicTrack and V/Line calculate what they charge the department for level crossing upgrades. The department needs to understand the differences to gain assurance about the cost-efficiency of the upgrades it funds. The information the department publishes is not sufficient to understand how its plans and programs are progressing and how successful they have been in delivering on the department’s objectives. viii Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings Victorian Auditor-General’s Report Audit summary Recommendations Number Recommendation Page The Department of Transport should: 1. Work with the rail managers to strengthen the processes it 18 uses to inform the committee about the rail managers’ views when making decisions about level crossing priorities and upgrades. 2. Lead the road and rail managers to develop a detailed, 18 three-year plan that provides an adequate basis for managing and monitoring the Towards Zero strategy. 3. With Public Transport Safety Victoria’s support, agree on 18 and document the actions needed to deliver a better understanding of level crossing collisions as part of the detailed plan underpinning the Towards Zero strategy. 4. Review the legislation and develop recommendations to 18 improve the effectiveness of the level crossing closure process. 5. Understand why the charges for level crossing upgrades 32 completed by different organisations have varied, with the view to improving efficiency. 6. Publish an analysis of the issues raised by its survey of 32 level crossings, identifying the works required, agency responsible and an estimate of the cost. 7. Improve the approach to assessing risk mitigation 32 treatments before their deployment and evaluating treatments once deployed. 8. Improve the way it reports on level crossing safety. 32 Victorian Auditor-General’s Report Management of Safety Risks at Level Crossings ix Audit
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Department of Transport Annual Report 2007-2008
    Annual Report Department of Transport Department of Transport Department of Transport Annual Report 2007-08 DOI3659/08 Published by Department of Transport 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne www.transport.vic.gov.au © State Government of Victoria 2008 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the Provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne ISSN 1441-4805 Printed by Geon-Impact Printing, 69-79 Fallon Street, Brunswick VIC 3056 If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio please telephone Public Affairs Branch on 9655 6000. Printed on environmentally friendly paper. Cover and text pages printed on LIFE Recycled. Building a safer, fairer and greener transport system for all Victorians to create a more prosperous and connected community. Contents Abbreviations 6 2007-08 Annual Report 7 Secretary’s foreword 8 Department of Transport 12 Vision, mission and values 14 Transport portfolios 15 Organisational structure 18 Chief Finance Officer’s executive summary 25 Outcome One Public safety and security 26 Outcome Two Infrastructure delivery and management 38 Outcome Three Access and mobility 48 Outcome Four Rural and regional development 62 Outcome Five Efficient movement of freight 70 Outcome Six Integrated policy development 80 Outcome Seven Organisational capability building 90 Office of the Chief Investigator 96 Financial Statements 100 Appendices 170 4 Department of
    [Show full text]
  • Duty Holders on Transition to the RSNL
    ONRSR Guideline Duty Holders on Transition to the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) Document control Objective ID: A332770 Version number: 1.2 Approved by: Executive Director | Policy, Reform and Stakeholder Engagement Date approved: 19 December 2019 Version 1 approved by Chief Executive 20 January 2013 Version 1.1 format review 22 July 2016 This version introduces the new template – content not revised Version 1.2 - transfer to updated template Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator Level 1, 75 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide SA 5000 PO Box 3461, Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000 Phone: 08 8406 1500 Fax: 08 8406 1501 E: [email protected] W: www.onrsr.com.au www.twitter.com/ONRSRAustralia Copyright information © Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator 2019. This material may be reproduced in whole or in part, provided the meaning is unchanged and the source is acknowledged Table of contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Who should read this guideline..................................................................................... 5 1.3 Definitions ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Status ............................................................................................................................ 5
    [Show full text]
  • Public Transport Safety Victoria Annual Safety Review 2007 Victoria Was the First State to Introduce the Rail Safety Act on 1 August 2006
    Public Transport Safety Victoria Annual Safety Review 2007 Victoria was the first State to introduce the Rail Safety Act on 1 August 2006. 2006-07 performance outcomes The central theme for Public Transport > The Bus Accreditation and Audit team Safety Victoria (PTSV) outcomes for conducted 961 bus compliance audits 2006-07 is the successful implementation under the requirements of the Public and administration of the Rail Safety Transport Competition Act 1995. Act 2006. In accordance with this theme These audits are designed to ensure the following are some of the highlights that operators are: of PTSV’s first full year of operation: – meeting the standards and conditions > PTSV developed an Accreditation of accreditation Guideline which provides guidance on – complying with maintenance the accreditation aspects of the new management systems rail safety legislation including risk – complying with management and change management. information systems > PTSV developed and agreed a series – having their buses inspected by an of milestones for commercial rail independent tester every 12 months. operators to achieve during the two year > The Rail Audit and Compliance team phase in period. conducted 42 safety audits. These audits > PTSV is developing a catastrophic are designed to ensure that operators: risk model and Contributing Factors – meet competency standards for rail Framework to enable more sophisticated safety workers analysis of incident trends and data. – meet maintenance standards > Victoria was the first state to introduce – have
    [Show full text]
  • Administration of Acts
    ADMINISTRATION OF ACTS General Order I, Stephen Phillip Bracks, Premier of Victoria, state that the following administrative arrangements for responsibility for the following Acts of Parliament, provisions of Acts and functions will operate in substitution of the arrangements in operation immediately before the date of this Order: Attorney-General Accident Compensation Act 1985 – • Division 1 of Part III (The remaining provisions are administered by the Minister for Finance, WorkCover and the Transport Accident Commission and the Treasurer) Acts Enumeration and Revision Act 1958 Administration and Probate Act 1958 Administrative Law Act 1978 Adoption Act 1984 – • The Act is jointly and severally administered with the Minister for Community Services Age of Majority Act 1977 Alcoholics and Drug-dependent Persons Act 1968 – • Sections 11, 14 and 15 (The remaining provisions are administered by the Minister for Mental Health) Appeal Costs Act 1998 Attorney-General and Solicitor-General Act 1972 Bail Act 1977 Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 Charities Act 1978 Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 Children and Young Persons Act 1989 – • The Act is jointly and severally administered with the Minister for Community Services Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 – • The Act is jointly and severally administered with the Minister for Children and the Minister for Community Services Choice of Law (Limitation Periods) Act 1993 Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995 Commercial
    [Show full text]
  • To View Asset
    Public Transport Safety Victoria Annual Safety Review 2008 www.ptsv.vic.gov.au 2007-08 performance outcomes 2007-08 performance outcomes In 2007-08 PTSV set out to achieve a project-based program of work consisting of five key outcome areas. These key areas are: > effective regulatory intervention > improved systems and governance > solve problems through proactive and reactive risk-based approach > promote and deliver targeted communication and education > create a work environment that attracts, develops and retains highly skilled and motivated people. Some of the highlights resulting from these outcomes include: > PTSV’s accreditation of all commercial AROs to the Rail Safety Act 2006 (RSA) by 30 June 2008, as stated in legislation. > Exceeding all of PTSV’s performance targets for 2007-08. > Successful implementation of 76 percent of the project deliverables. > Contributing to the Department of Transport’s Public Transport Division’s review of the current bus regulatory framework, which resulted in a discussion paper being distributed for comment and the draft bus safety bill. PTSV accredited all commercial > Contributing to the National Reform Agenda, particularly AROs to the Rail Safety Act 2006 development of the National Guideline for Accreditation and the National Compliance and Enforcement Policy for Rail Safety. by 30 June 2008. > All operations staff using the Transport Safety Accreditation and Audit Reporting System. > Comprehensive review of PTSV’s policy and procedure management system. > Establishing a brand for PTSV through the implementation of the separate PTSV website, uniforms for field officers, regular stakeholder communications through newsletters and email alerts. > Continuing the Transport Safety Officer training and including sharing experiences with other state rail safety regulators.
    [Show full text]
  • Design Requirements & Guidelines
    Design Requirements & Guidelines Civil Works on, under or over VicTrack Land Nov 2017 Table of Contents 1 When do these guidelines apply? ............................................................................................. 1 2 Design requirements .................................................................................................................. 1 2.1 Design drawings must be rail specific ........................................................................................... 1 2.2 Rail specific designs ..................................................................................................................... 2 2.2.1 Underground Proposal .................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2.2 Overhead Proposals ........................................................................................................................................ 4 3 Reference Drawings ................................................................................................................... 6 APPENDIX A ......................................................................................................................................... i STANDARD CONDITIONS FOR ELECTRIC POWER OVERHEAD LINES ON OR OVER LAND VESTED IN VICTORIAN RAIL TRACK (VRT) ..................................................................................................................... i APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Infrastructure - General - Traffic Control
    Standard Infrastructure - General - Traffic Control CE-021-ST-0015 1 12/03/2020 Disclaimer: This document is developed solely and specifically for use on Melbourne metropolitan tram network managed by Yarra Trams. It is not suitable for any other purpose. You must not use or adapt it or rely upon it in any way unless you are authorised in writing to do so by Yarra Trams. If this document forms part of a contract with Yarra Trams, this document constitutes a “Policy and Procedure” for the purposes of that contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed or downloaded. Users should exercise their own skill and care or seek professional advice in the use of the document. This document may not be current. Current standards are available for download internally from CDMS or from https://yarratrams.com.au/standards. Infrastructure - General - Traffic Control Table of Contents 1 PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 2 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 3 COMPLIANCE .............................................................................................................................................. 3 4 REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 4 4.1 General Requirements ......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Transport Annual Report 2011-2012
    Department of Transport Annual Report 2011-2012 Published by Department of Transport 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000 www.transport.vic.gov.au © State Government of Victoria 2012 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the Provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne ISSN 1839-6259 Printed by Impact Digital, Unit 3-4, 306 Albert St, Brunswick VIC 3056 If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format please telephone Public Affairs on 9655 6000. Printed on Revive Laser recycled. The Department of Transport and its agencies aim to provide a safe and reliable transport system that contributes to a prosperous, inclusive and environmentally responsible state. Contents Transmittal letter i Abbreviations 1 Secretary’s foreword 3 Changes to transport agencies 4 DOT and PTV achievements against priorities 6 Department of Transport 10 Organisational structure 12 2011-12 Annual Financial Report Chief Finance Officer’s Statement 13 Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Steering Committee Annual Report 16 Financial Statements 20 Appendices 122 Transmittal letter 5 October 2012 Hon. Terry Mulder MP Minister for Public Transport Minister for Roads Hon. Dr Denis Napthine MP Minister for Ports 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Dear Ministers Annual Report 2011-12 In accordance with provisions of the Financial Management Act 1994, I have pleasure in submitting for presentation to Parliament the Department of Transport’s Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2012. In recognition of the commencement of Public Transport Victoria’s (PTV) operations on 2 April 2012, as endorsed by the Minister for Finance this annual report constitutes a composite report with PTV.
    [Show full text]
  • Network Operator Access Agreement
    Network Operator Access Agreement (Freight Services) V/Line Pty. Ltd. [Access Provider] And [Operator] V/Line Pty. Ltd. Network Operator Access Agreement Table of Contents 1 Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 1 1A Good faith .................................................................................................................................... 9 2 Access .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Grant of access ............................................................................................................................. 9 Limitations on grant ....................................................................................................................... 9 Scheduled Train Paths .................................................................................................................. 9 Application for use of Unscheduled Train Paths ......................................................................... 10 Grant of Unscheduled Train Paths .............................................................................................. 10 Access to certain Sidings and Terminals .................................................................................... 11 3 Variation, surrender and non-use of Train Paths .................................................................. 12 Variation and
    [Show full text]
  • Freight Futures: Victorian Freight Network Strategy for a More
    Freight Futures Victorian Freight Network Strategy for a more prosperous and liveable Victoria Minister’s Message The ability to move goods effi ciently, seamlessly and sustainably around Victoria makes a signifi cant contribution to the prosperity and liveability of our State. Transport costs fl ow directly on to the costs of everyday goods on our supermarket shelves and affect the competitiveness of our export businesses. The location of freight activity areas and the way we move goods between them – the modes, the types of vehicles, the routes and the times of day – can also have a signifi cant impact on the amenity of particular communities and the liveability of the State generally. As Victoria’s population and economy continue to grow strongly, so does the size of the freight task, placing added pressure on existing infrastructure and systems and requiring us to look to the future to ensure that we make the right decisions now. For these reasons, all Victorians have an interest in ensuring that our freight networks, systems and infrastructure continue to perform well in meeting the current and future freight task. Freight Futures is the Victorian Government’s long term plan for achieving this objective. Freight Futures recognises that the movement of freight is primarily a private sector activity and that the Government’s role is best focussed on aspects of the task on which it can have a material and benefi cial impact. For this reason, Freight Futures does not attempt to address every aspect of freight supply chain development and management, but rather focuses on the freight network – its planning, delivery and management.
    [Show full text]
  • Inquiry Into Improving Safety at Level Crossings
    Road Safety Committee Inquiry into Improving Safety at Level Crossings December 2008 Date of adoption 11 December 2008 Inquiry into Improving Safety at Level Crossings Report of the Road Safety Committee on the Inquiry into Improving Safety at Level Crossings ORDERED TO BE PRINTED Victorian Government Printer 2008 Parliamentary Paper No. 170 Session 2006-2009 Parliament of Victoria Road Safety Committee Subject Vehicle Safety ISBN – 978-0-9751534-6-8 Table of Contents Committee Members .................................................................................i The Road Safety Committee ...................................................................iii Terms of Reference ..................................................................................v Chair’s Foreword ....................................................................................vii Executive Summary .................................................................................xi Recommendations .................................................................................xiii Abbreviations and Definitions ..............................................................xix Chapter 1 - Introduction ...................................................................1 Background ...............................................................................................1 The Inquiry ................................................................................................2 Terms of Reference ....................................................................................2
    [Show full text]
  • Victoria Government Gazette by Authority of Victorian Government Printer
    Victoria Government Gazette By Authority of Victorian Government Printer No. G 41 Thursday 12 October 2006 www.gazette.vic.gov.au GENERAL 2164 G 41 12 October 2006 Victoria Government Gazette TABLE OF PROVISIONS Private Advertisements RMAC Landholding Companies 2166 Estates of Deceased Persons Ashfords 2166 Engel & Partners 2166 Equity Trustees Ltd 2166 Findlay Arthur Phillips 2166 Garden & Green 2166 Lawson Hughes, Peter Walsh 2167 M. Davine & Co. 2167 Mills Oakley 2167 O’Brien & Galante 2167 Pearce Webster Dugdales 2167 Radford Legal 2167 White Cleland Pty 2168 Wills & Probate Lawyers 2168 Proclamations 2169 Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices 2172 Orders in Council 2199 Acts: Accident Compensation; Crown Land (Reserves); Financial Management; Land Advertisers Please Note As from 12 October 2006 The last Special Gazette was No. 268 dated 11 October 2006. The last Periodical Gazette was No. 1 dated 15 June 2006. How To Submit Copy ● See our webpage www.craftpress.com.au ● or contact our office on 9642 5808 between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm Monday to Friday Copies of recent Special Gazettes can now be viewed at the following display cabinet: ● 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne (behind the Old Treasury Building) Victoria Government Gazette G 41 12 October 2006 2165 VICTORIA GOVERNMENT GAZETTE Subscribers and Advertisers Please note that the principal office of the Victoria Government Gazette, published and distributed by The Craftsman Press Pty Ltd, has changed from 28 July 2005. The new office and contact details are as follows: Victoria
    [Show full text]