AS 7660 Radio Communication in the Rail Corridor

The objective of this Standard is to define functional requirements for radio communication systems that will:

1. mitigate the risk associated with identified hazards;
2. facilitate compliance with the Rail Safety National Law; and
3. identify the roles of Rail Infrastructure Managers (RIM) and Rolling Stock Operators (RSO) in providing, operating, maintaining and removing radio communication systems.

Rail Transport Operators (RTO) are legally required to ensure safe railway operations. While each operator meets this obligation through their own safety management system, safety critical communications are to be coordinated and consistent across operators. Despite differences in technology, communication systems are to enable seamless and reliable communication for users across all RIM boundaries and interfaces.

This product establishes functional, system design and performance requirements for safety‑critical radio communication between network controllers, train crews and people working in or near the rail corridor, covering essential elements such as coverage, latency, availability and emergency messaging. It clarifies the roles and obligations of rail infrastructure managers, rolling stock operators and rail transport operators for providing, operating, maintaining and upgrading communication systems, including responsibilities for interfaces, recording, maintenance and defect management. It also supports technology transition and interoperability by addressing both analogue and digital radio systems, linking to complementary standards such as AS 7470, AS 7495, AS 7527, AS 7533, AS 7722 and AS 7770, and offering guidance on spectrum use and system management.

This review strengthens functional, lifecycle and interoperability requirements to align the standard with current radio technologies, related standards and regulatory expectations, leading to a more detailed and prescriptive framework than the 2017 edition. The scope and definitions have been refined to explicitly cover safety‑critical radio communications across freight, passenger, light rail and infrastructure maintenance fleets, addressing both analogue and digital systems while clarifying boundaries of applicability. Functional clauses have been expanded to include clearer expectations for access, routing, emergency messages, boundary operation, identification codes, acknowledgements and call priority, including automated behaviour where supported and procedural controls where automation is not available. System design and interoperability requirements have been strengthened with explicit links to human factors, cybersecurity, EMC, event recording, rolling stock communications equipment and rail‑bound vehicle requirements. The performance and maintenance content has also been enhanced, adding clearer requirements for coverage verification, exchange of design parameters such as EIRP and latency, communication system maintenance planning for both infrastructure managers and operators, and an updated ARRM hazard register focusing on failed communications, mis‑communication, EMI and cyber risks.

The product improves safety by setting robust functional and performance requirements for emergency calls, acknowledgements, call prioritisation, coverage and communication recording so that safety‑critical messages are transmitted, received and retained reliably so far as is reasonably practicable. It supports interoperability by defining common expectations for interfaces, identification codes, spectrum use, coverage parameters and cross‑boundary operation, and by aligning with complementary standards for interoperability, human factors and cybersecurity to ensure consistent operation across different systems, fleets and networks.

The standard manages the risk of failed, delayed or mis‑routed safety‑critical communications between train crews, network control and track workers, including at boundary points between rail infrastructure managers and on adjacent or parallel lines. It addresses risks associated with inadequate coverage, capacity, availability or electromagnetic compatibility of radio systems that could result in loss of communication in normal, degraded or emergency conditions. It also manages risks arising from poor human‑machine interfaces, user distraction or incorrect use of radio systems that could lead to errors in safety‑critical messages or failure to operate equipment properly in emergencies. Additionally, the standard mitigates cybersecurity and security threats such as unauthorised access, malicious interference or equipment misuse that could compromise the integrity, confidentiality or availability of critical communications.

Implementation involves aligning communication system specifications, procurement activities, design reviews and change management processes with the system design, spectrum, safety‑critical information, security, cybersecurity and performance requirements outlined in Sections 3 and 5, supported by related standards such as AS 7470, AS 7495, AS 7527, AS 7533, AS 7722 and AS 7770. Rolling stock standards and fleet implementation plans should be updated so that cab equipment, interfaces, self‑test functions, driver interfaces and event recorder integration meet the requirements of Section 4, including the expectation for a single‑interface approach where multiple systems are fitted and clarity around recorded data items. Organisations should establish or refine joint arrangements between infrastructure managers and rolling stock operators for access control, performance monitoring, defect management, coverage verification and degraded or backup modes, using Appendices D and E for guidance on responsibilities, emergency message handling and operational procedures. The ARRM hazard register items should be incorporated into safety management system risk registers and assurance plans, ensuring that communication failures, mis‑communication, EMI and cyber threats are explicitly addressed, with appropriate testing, training and audit programs to ensure ongoing compliance with the standard.