29 Jun 2026
ARISO The Standard – Edition 7, June 2026
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Edition 7, June 2026 A message from Alan Fedda | CEO As we reach the end of the financial year, I have been reflecting on the importance of industry collaboration, and the role standards play in shaping the future of rail. At the June meeting, the ARISO Board approved revisions to seven Standards and three Codes of Practice. These products cover a diverse range of topics across workforce competence, rolling stock, infrastructure and operations. The revisions are updated to help industry meet current practices, emerging risks and new technologies. Importantly, they will help industry work more consistently towards improving safety and uplifting productivity - our common purpose. For an industry operating across multiple jurisdictions, networks and organisations, consistency is critical. As the new financial year unfolds, I will provide more details about our Work Plan and directions; the projects that we’ve spoken about like refining of the standards development process and the harmonisation of standards prioritisation. Critically, our approach to how we will support implementation to significantly increase adoption. In this edition, read about the AS 7711 Signalling Principles, the foundation of signalling design in Australia. We recently updated this Standard to align with international best practice, including the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) fundamental requirements for train control systems. The Standard can now support both legacy systems and emerging digital environments such as ETCS. Our recent webinar masterclass on the growing importance of understanding and managing the evolving safety risks associated with lithium-ion battery powered e-scooters and e-bikes on passenger trains attracted significant interest. If you missed it, it can now be viewed on demand. ARISO will continue to lead the thinking on how our standards can help industry address emerging challenges. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their expertise and time over the past year. Together, we are building the foundations for a safer, more productive and more harmonised rail industry. 
ARISO Board approves revisions to existing standardsThe ARISO Board met in Brisbane this month, hosted by its government director Sally Stannard (Director-General, TMR), who also headlined the ARA’s Queensland dinner with over 500 rail industry partners. ARISO Chair Dr Gillian Miles AM and other directors also attended the ARA dinner for conversations with industry and members. Among other items discussed at the Board meeting, revisions to seven Standards and three Codes of Practice were approved, marking another important milestone in supporting a safer, more productive and more interoperable national rail system. 
Thank you to the TasRail team for the warm welcome and continued support. Strengthening industry collaborationAs part of our member engagement program, ARISO CEO Alan Fedda met TasRail’s CEO Steven Dietrich and his team at their Launceston offices to discuss industry priorities, safety, interoperability and the role of standards in supporting a more productive national rail system. TasRail makes a valuable contribution to ARISO’s work through active participation across our committees, development groups and industry forums. ARISO’s industry-led standards are strengthened by the insight and expert contribution of organisations like TasRail. It helps ensure that practical operational experience and challenges inform the development of nationally harmonised standards and guidance that deliver real outcomes for the rail industry. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7454 - Management of Network Route Competencies This Standard helps reset route competence on a modern, risk‑based, nationally consistent footing that directly supports Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) obligations and national reform objectives. It will drive clearer, nationally aligned links between route risk, training and assessment, make better use of VET units of competency, and strengthen how change, transfer and skill‑fade are managed so competent rail traffic crews can move safely and efficiently across networks. 
Contact info@ariso.org.au if you’d like to discuss this standard with one of our standards development managers. ARISO PRODUCT UPDATESIn the news: Harmonising signalling standards for digital rail futureFor the rail industry to move towards a unified national rail system, disparate signalling systems must give way to a harmonised approach. Through the recent review of its stable of signalling standards, ARISO has created the pathway for industry to take concrete steps towards harmonisation. In the June edition of the Rail Express magazine, find out how ARISO’s signalling standards play a central role in aligning practices across infrastructure managers, suppliers and projects. Public ConsultationAS 7510.3 Braking Systems – Multiple Unit Passenger AS 7641 Rail Lubrication Management AS 7706 Interface with Points AS 7529.4 Fire Safety – Infrastructure Vehicles
Development GroupsAS 7528 Interior Communications AS 7450 Rail Systems Interoperability EVENTSWatch on demand - Fire safety webinarARISO's recent MasterClass webinar explored the safety risks associated with lithium-ion battery powered e-scooters and e-bikes on passenger trains. The strong level of engagement from attendees highlighted the growing importance of understanding and managing this evolving risk as e-ridables become increasingly common in everyday travel. This webinar discusses the findings of an ARISO technical paper by the Fire and Life Safety Sub-Group that examines the implications of lithium-ion battery fires on passenger trains. Drawing on international research, recent transport incidents, and the emerging Australian context, the session explores why e-ridable fires represent a step change in risk for rail operators, regulators, rolling stock designers, safety professionals, and emergency responders. ARISO extends its sincere thanks to presenters Klaus Clemens and A/Professor David Lange and all participants for contributing to a thoughtful and informative discussion on this important safety topic. If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the presentation, a recording of the webinar is available on the ARISO website at ariso.org.au/webinars or watch on YouTube Horizons 7 wraps-up in SydneyAfter successful forums in Melbourne and Brisbane, high-potential technical, operational and safety rail professionals from across Australia's rail industry came together in Sydney from 24-27 June for the third and final forum. 
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