ARISO The Standard Edition 9, August 2026

Edition 9, August 2026

A message from Alan Fedda | CEO

This month we reached a historic five-year agreement with all Australian governments to transform how rail operates across freight and passenger networks.

This investment marks a major step forward for national rail standards. By properly resourcing ARISO, governments are backing an industry-led reform program that can strengthen how standards support harmonisation and interoperability across Australia’s rail networks.

I have over the last year talked about the need for a five-year work program which is designed to deliver on the National Rail Action Plan and support the transition to a more digital rail future. I’ve also talked about the organisational and technical capability uplift ARISO needs to turn national reform priorities into practical, industry-led change.

We will now put these changes into operation by establishing a new organisational structure and recruiting the technical, economic and engagement expertise needed to deliver this ambitious industry-led work program. This expanded capability will focus on signalling and train control, rolling stock, systems engineering, operational technology, adoption and change, economics, and benefits realisation – enabling us to support and develop the mandatory and harmonised standards as well as the one rule book.

It's going to be a busy year ahead as we recruit and onboard a significant uplift in resources and capability and I encourage you to engage with the new roles as they are advertised and consider your wider network as we fill them. A strong and capable ARISO will lead to a stronger and more capable industry!

I look forward to working closely with industry and our members as we turn this commitment into a practical industry supported change program.

ARISO has launched a new lithium-ion battery fires webpage sharing the latest information, research and industry activities. 

Lithium-ion batteries are used widely in everyday life. But when larger batteries, particularly those in e-bikes and e-scooters, fail and ignite, they can present a significant change in the fire risk for passenger rail.

ARISO has been leading work on this new risk through its Fire and Life Safety Group, getting ahead to understand the nature of lithium-ion battery fires and associated hazards, and to assess new challenges they will pose.

In the news: Turning route knowledge into a reliable safety tool

Route knowledge is widely recognised as one of the most important safety tools in rail operations, but the way it has been managed has often varied between operators, networks and local practice. 

In the July edition of the Rail Express magazine, read all about AS 7454 Management of Network Route Competencies and how it provides a practical, risk-based framework for developing, assessing and maintaining route competence for the rail industry. 

AS 7531 Rolling Stock Lighting and Visibility

ARISO is nearing completion of the targeted review of AS 7531 Rolling Stock Lighting and Visibility, with publication of the Standard expected at end of September 2026. The updated AS 7531 standard will provide operators with clearer, more practical and evidence-based requirements for train visibility.

The review focused on the specific recommendations from the Monash Institute of Railway Technology (Monash IRT) research report commissioned by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), together with the requirements and expectations set out in ONRSR’s Code of Practice: Train Visibility at Level Crossings. 

Delivered 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.