ARISO The Standard Edition 4, March 2026

Edition 4, March 2026

A message from Alan Fedda | CEO

This month I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many of our members and industry colleagues across a range of forums. It is important for ARISO to meet with and listen to industry members, and you’ll note the theme of my message this edition is getting out and about! The conversations with industry ensure ARISO is taking on board feedback and remains closely aligned with the challenges and opportunities facing the rail sector. 

At the CEDA event in Melbourne, where Federal Minister, the Hon. Catherine King MP delivered an update on Australia’s broader transport and infrastructure future, it was a timely reminder that rail plays a critical role in national productivity and connectivity. And that robust and consistent standards are fundamental to supporting that role.

I also met industry colleagues at the joint ARA and PTAANZ dinner in Canberra, which brought together leaders from across the transport landscape. The discussions reinforced for me the importance of sector collaboration to achieve the goal of an integrated transport system.

These conversations will continue next month at the Heavy Haul Conference in Perth, where I’ll be delivering a keynote address and participating in a panel on the evolving landscape for rail regulation and standards. I’m looking forward to hearing directly from operators, suppliers and maintainers about the practical challenges they face and how ARISO standards can better support the industry.

We’ve had very strong registrations for next month’s ARISO Rail Human Factors Forum, with a theme that is perfectly aligned to the introduction of emerging technologies across rail systems and how human factors thinking is supporting its safe introduction.

We’re also looking ahead to several important industry events, including the 2026 Rail Safety Conference and the ARISO Rail Safety Awards. The Awards will be closing soon and I encourage you to send in your nominations to recognise the outstanding work being done across the sector to improve safety and performance. 

Nominations closing soon: Rail Safety Awards 2026

Across our diverse industry, rail professionals are delivering initiatives that make our networks, workplaces and communities safer every day. The ARISO Rail Safety Awards recognise those achievements, and there’s still time to nominate.

We’re looking for individuals, teams and organisations who have delivered real, measurable safety improvements over the past 12 months. Award categories include:

• TrackSAFE Frontline Worker Safety Award
• Community Safety Award
• Advancing Safety and Productivity Award
• Industry Safety Professional of the Year
• 'Next Generation' Award

Don't delay, nominations close on 17 April!

Themed 'Human Factors and Emerging Technology', the 2026 ARISO Human Factors Forum will provide you practical insights from industry practitioners who are applying human factors approaches in real rail environments.

Connect with peers, exchange ideas and strengthen your understanding of how human factors contributes to safer, more resilient rail systems.

If you're working in safety, human factors, engineering, rail projects, operations, signalling, technology and innovation, this Forum is for you!

Product in the news: AS 7520.3 - an upgrade for passenger safety

Featuring in the March 2026 Edition of Rail Express, 'Raising the bar for passenger and crew car safety' - an article about how and why the recently released AS 7520.3 Rolling Stock Body Structural Requirements – Passenger is a major step forward for passenger rolling stock safety.