A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by states and Rail Infrastructure Managers (RIM) to standardise product type approval processes in the rail industry.
The national Product Type Approval Framework (PTAF) has already been signed by New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), and will drastically reduce duplication, speed up approval timeframes and improve safety.
Remaining jurisdictions are expected to follow.
The national PTAF will deliver several key benefits to the rail industry, including:
- Saving the rail industry about $40 million annually by eliminating redundancies and speeding up the approval process;
- Reducing duplication involving redundant documentation, studies, trials, and evaluations for the same product across different rail networks, which stifles efficiency and innovation;
- Cutting red-tape and trial duplication across multiple jurisdictions, improving product development cycles and reducing costs for operators and taxpayers; and
- Opening doors for new technologies and innovations, ensuring the rail industry remains at the forefront of international transport trends.
“This Memorandum of Understanding represents a monumental achievement for the rail industry and broader transport sector,” Australasian Railway Association CEO Caroline Wilkie says.
“By aligning product type approvals across jurisdictions, we are setting the stage for a more streamlined, cost-effective approach.
“By harmonising product type approval processes, the PTAF ensures products meet the necessary safety, operational and interoperability standards to ensure seamless integration across Australia’s rail networks.”
The development of the PTAF was led by Transport for NSW and involved 49 members across various transport modes including government agencies, industry bodies and technical experts.
Pilot trials involved 17 road and rail products.
The Steering Committee includes representation from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the ARTC, and implementation of the national plan is slated for 2026.
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