❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses a faulty signalling system on the Bunbury to Armadale train line, focusing on safety, repair timelines, and the impact on the Australind service. The Minister's response details the cause, interim safety measures, and expected repair completion.
AnsweredQoN 1503Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that the signalling system on the Bunbury to Armadale train line is faulty and in some areas inoperable?
(2) Can the Minister advise how long the signalling system between the Mundijong Junction and Armadale has been inoperable?
(3) Can the Minister please confirm when the signalling system will be repaired and become fully operational?
(4) Can the Minister please explain how the Australind train is able to continue its journey past this junction with an inoperable signalling system?
(5) Can the Minister please advise if there are any further intermediate signals that are not fully functional on the Bunbury to Armadale train line?
(6) Can the Minister please advise how many minutes the Australind train is delayed each day due to the faulty signalling system?
(7) Can the Minister please advise what safety issues have arisen as a result of the malfunctioning signalling system?
(8) Can the Minister please confirm the cause of the derailment of the Australind earlier this year?
(2) Can the Minister advise how long the signalling system between the Mundijong Junction and Armadale has been inoperable?
(3) Can the Minister please confirm when the signalling system will be repaired and become fully operational?
(4) Can the Minister please explain how the Australind train is able to continue its journey past this junction with an inoperable signalling system?
(5) Can the Minister please advise if there are any further intermediate signals that are not fully functional on the Bunbury to Armadale train line?
(6) Can the Minister please advise how many minutes the Australind train is delayed each day due to the faulty signalling system?
(7) Can the Minister please advise what safety issues have arisen as a result of the malfunctioning signalling system?
(8) Can the Minister please confirm the cause of the derailment of the Australind earlier this year?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 October 2006
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
29 days
1. On 17 March 2006 a quantity of copper wire from the overhead signalling system between Armadale and Mundijong Junction was stolen which rendered the signalling system between those locations inoperable. The Public Transport Authority's approved railway safe working system has procedures in place which ensure trains continue to operate safely when the signalling system is inoperable. 2. Since 17 March 2006. 3. It is anticipated repairs will be completed by 31 October 2006. 4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
2. Since 17 March 2006. 3. It is anticipated repairs will be completed by 31 October 2006. 4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
3. It is anticipated repairs will be completed by 31 October 2006. 4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
2. Since 17 March 2006. 3. It is anticipated repairs will be completed by 31 October 2006. 4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
3. It is anticipated repairs will be completed by 31 October 2006. 4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
4. A fail safe working system is being employed. The system is known as Pilot Key Working under which the train driver has possession of the pilot key which is the driver's authorisation to traverse a particular section of railway. While the pilot key is in the possession of a driver, it is not possible for another train to enter the same section of railway. 5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
5. Three intermediate signals in each direction on the Armadale to Mundijong Junction section of railway are affected by the theft of the copper wire. Safe working procedures require that when a signal is not illuminated, all trains must stop at such signals and drivers must then obtain permission to proceed beyond those signals. 6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
6. The impact on Australind services' on time performances is minimal. 7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
7. None. 8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
8. A system failure led to a human error which resulted in a low speed derailment when the points were unlocked as the train passed over them. A report on the derailment has been forwarded to the Office of Rail Safety by WestNet Rail Pty Ltd.
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