Rail

In Australia, rail transport is a modern, national and diverse industry and one that plays a key role when it comes to the integrated logistics supply chain.  Rail is also a significant contributor to both the rural and regional economies of Australia, producing economic benefits of around $7.7 billion annually.

As a transport industry, risks are very real for the rail sector.  The risk of a collision with another train, a vehicle at a level crossing or a pedestrian, and of course, derailment is a major public safety concern to the rail industry.  The fallout from such incidents would also have wider business and reputational ramifications.

In addition to the above safety risks, the rail industry is under increased scrutiny concerning the delivery of large infrastructure and rolling stock projects, to ensure they are delivered on time, to budget, safely and to specification.

R2A works with companies within the rail sector to help minimise these very real risks.  We facilitate and document the resolution of risk and safety issues in a due diligence context for numerous railway and tram projects.  The objective is to help the industry maintain its sound safety record and minimise project ‘blow out’.

For further information, please contact us.

 

Project Overview

South Morang Rail Extension Project Due Diligence Review – Department of Transport

In late 2008 the Department of Transport enlisted R2A to complete a top-down due diligence risk review of the South Morang rail extension prior to tender.  This involved three key tasks.

Firstly, a functional review of the concept project was completed focusing on potential impacts to whole of government policy critical success factors for rail projects.  The second task of this project was to identify and raise issues on a zonal vulnerability basis by examining the project incrementally, travelling from Keon Park to South Morang.  The combined result of these two tasks was a high level appreciation of the credible critical issues and the potential impact these could have on the project.  The project team undertook further work to clarify these primary concerns.  This enabled the third task, a prediction of the potential costs of these risk issues to be estimated at the time of tender.  The cost of risk at tender was estimated in two parts, the cost of risk to the Department of Transport (DoT) and the cost of risk to the successful contractor.

 

Interim Rolling Stock Project Due Diligence Review – Connex Melbourne / Metro Trains Melbourne

As part of the IRS project, R2A have undertaken a number of studies to ensure project due diligence with the initial key focus on ensuring the ‘smooth’ delivery and introduction of the first new train into revenue service. The reviews involved Connex/Metro Trains as the operator, MainCo/UTML as the maintainers, DoT as the rolling stock owners and Alstom as the designer of the trains.


The review considered risk issues associated with each of the project stages, namely:

  • contract
  • design
  • manufacture & assembly
  • delivery
  • commissioning & testing
  • acceptance
  • revenue service & maintenance
  • other issues.

 

Other associated studies included reviews for the modifications associated with the existing Comeng & Seimens fleets as well as some design changes.

 

VICERS / Vigilance Due Diligence Review – Department of Transport (DoT) & Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM)

R2A has worked extensively with the DoT and MTM on a number of specific issues associated with this project which has now been given the go ahead to be switched on in the Comeng fleet. Studies have included various modelling tasks including threat-barrier and cause-consequence modelling, stakeholder workshops and generative interviews and facilitated workshop sessions.

 

Tram Procurement Project – Department of Transport, Victoria

R2A has completed various risk, reliability and due diligence studies relating to the Tram Procurement & Support Infrastructure Project. The project is responsible for the procurement of fifty new, low floor trams as well as associated depot, power supply and infrastructure upgrade works.

Studies have involved a variety of stakeholders including the Government as the owner, the Franchisee operator and the safety regulator.