30 Sep 2026
ARISO The Standard Edition 10, September 2026
|
No images? Click here 
Edition 10, September 2026 A message from Alan Fedda | CEO Following from the announcement of our agreement with all Australian governments on the five-year program of work to transform how rail operates across freight and passenger networks, our focus is to rapidly build the capability needed to deliver this. The program will strengthen our approach to standards development, drive greater national harmonisation and support industry to adopt and implement standards more effectively. It is a significant step forward for ARISO and for the rail industry. We are starting to actively recruit to strengthen technical and implementation expertise across areas critical to the future of rail, including signalling and train control, rolling stock, systems engineering, operational technology and standards development. Building this capability will allow ARISO to operate at the scale and technical depth required of a national industry-led standards organisation. Look out for our recruitment notices. International engagement will also be an important part of this work. This month, I attended InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, which brought together the global rail industry to showcase the technologies and approaches shaping the future of rail. It was an important opportunity to understand international developments and gain insights relevant to the Australian rail industry. In Berlin, we took two important steps to strengthen ARISO’s connection with international rail expertise, joining EULYNX as an Associate Member and establishing a strategic partnership with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Users Group. Both agreements give us access to the experience of European railways that have been tackling many of the challenges Australia now faces, particularly around digital rail, interoperability, standardised interfaces and systems integration. I also met the UK RSSB Chief Executive Mark Phillips in London, taking the opportunity to sign a partnership to build a practical relationship with one of the world's most experienced rail standards organisations. By working directly with RSSB, ARISO can help industry avoid duplication, make standards easier to adopt, and support the safer, more productive railway Australia needs for the future. These engagements are particularly relevant as Australia enters a new standards era. Our challenge is to ensure our standards incorporate international best practice, are technically robust, nationally aligned and practical for industry to adopt. There is considerable work ahead. We are building the people, processes and technical capability to deliver on our five-year program, and continuing to support industry through the standards and guidance it needs today. I invite you to be a part of this change. 
In this edition:
Australia connects with global rail expertiseARISO is strengthening Australia’s connection to the international rail community, with three significant partnerships announced in September that will support the development of a more interoperable and digitally enabled railway. ARISO has joined EULYNX as an Associate Member and established a strategic partnership with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Users Group, creating direct connections to organisations that have spent decades addressing many of the challenges Australia now faces. A new partnership agreement was also signed with UK's Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB). Building the capability for a new standards eraARISO is growing to deliver the ambitious five-year work program agreed with Australian Governments. A major recruitment campaign is underway to build deeper technical expertise across systems engineering, signalling and train control, rolling stock and operational technology, supported by industry engagement and economics capability. Explore our Careers webpage for opportunities to join and strengthen ARISO’s ability to lead national harmonisation, support digital rail implementation and provide the authoritative standards and technical coordination needed for a safer, more interoperable and productive rail industry. 
ETCS and the future of digital railClose to 400 participants joined ARISO’s MasterClass webinar to explore the technical considerations behind ETCS Level 2 connectivity and the transition from GSM-R to FRMCS. Presented by SYSTRA technical leaders Rodrigo Alvarez and James Reed, the MasterClass provided practical insights into supporting reliable ETCS deployment as Australia moves towards a more connected, interoperable digital railway. Missed the session or want to revisit or share it? 
ARISO Rail Safety Conference 2027Delivering Safety and Productivity - Standards in Action Super early bird registration rates are available – book now to save! Call for Papers is also open. The 2027 conference focuses on the critical implementation phase – transforming regulatory frameworks into operational excellence, embedding safety culture at every level, and measuring real-world performance outcomes. The ARISO conference is highly regarded for the quality and relevance of its program and a not-to-be missed event. Join industry leaders, safety professionals, and regulators as we transform the new standards era into measurable safety performance. Share your implementation journey, learn from peers, and accelerate your path to operational excellence. Safety Excellence Award recognises Vossloh
Congratulations to Vossloh Switch Systems Australia, winner of the 2026 Rail Industry Awards Safety Excellence Award, supported by ARISO. Presented in Sydney, the award recognises Vossloh’s systematic and collective efforts over several years to strengthen safety culture, prevent risk and drive continuous improvement in health and safety. The recognition highlights the important role of strong safety practices in supporting safe, reliable rail operations and reflects the commitment of Vossloh’s teams to ensuring everyone returns home safely each day. Congratulations to Vossloh on this well-deserved industry recognition. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7520.2 Body Structural Requirements – Freight Vehicles This Standard helps manage risks associated with structural failures in freight rolling stock that could lead to derailments, collisions, or other safety-related incidents. By adopting the Standard’s requirements, organisations can help ensure structural safety, improve asset reliability, and support compliance with industry and network access requirements. 
Contact info@ariso.org.au if you’d like to discuss this standard with one of our standards development managers. In the news: Operations standard helps manage changeFrom new technology and infrastructure upgrades to revised procedures, organisational restructures and evolving operating principles, change is part of everyday rail operations. But as change becomes more technology-enabled and complex, stronger guidance is required. The September edition of the Rail Express magazine looks into how the updated AS 7472 standard is enabling the rail industry to make changes more safely and efficiently. Public ConsultationAS 7510.7 ECP Brakes 
TRAININGALCAM Survey & Rating TrainingDelivered on behalf of the National ALCAM Committee, ALCAM Survey and Rating Training equips participants with the skills required to accurately record level crossing data needed to obtain an ALCAM risk score. The next ALCAM Survey and Rating training is scheduled for October and December – visit the ALCAM website to register your interest. 
|
