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Signal Passed At Danger - SPAD

Started by ozbob, October 20, 2017, 09:56:25 AM

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ozbob

ATSB: Rail safety investigations & reports

>> https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/safety-investigation-reports/?mode=Rail

=======================

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/rair/ro-2017-015/

Signal passed at danger by train 2552, Petrie, Queensland on 12 October 2017
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https://twitter.com/atsbinfo/status/970819318807187456

========================

The ATSB's final investigation report into a signal passed at danger (SPAD) event, involving suburban passenger train near Roma Street Station, Brisbane, Queensland, on 5 September 2017 demonstrates how task-irrelevant thoughts can contribute to driver distraction and decrease task performance.

Report summary:

The ATSB investigation found task-irrelevant thoughts contributed to the driver's distraction from observing and reacting appropriately when a stop signal approximately 140m west of platform 8 at Roma Street Station. Task-irrelevant thoughts can increase based on a person's emotional state or mood. In this instance, the driver advised they recalled a significant past event prior to commencing work that resulted in an emotional response.

Final Investigation Report: Signal RS57 passed at danger, involving suburban passenger train 1W33 Roma Street Station, Brisbane, Queensland, on 5 September 2017
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Couriermail --> Train driver ran red light 'due to emotions'

QuoteA PEAK-HOUR train crash at one of Brisbane's busiest stations was narrowly averted after a driver ran a red light.

The near-miss at Roma St last September is detailed in an investigation report issued today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

It says the driver was distracted by "emotional thoughts" when he ignored the red stop signal and continued on to the platform in the station at about 4.30pm on September 5.

At the same time, another train was travelling in the opposite direction from central station on ''a converging route".

An alarm activated at the Queensland Rail Management Centre and the network control officer broadcast an emergency radio message, telling both drivers to stop.

The vehicles were about 550 metres apart when they came to a halt.

The incident caused chaos, with commuters facing delays for hours after the incident which Translink described as a "points issue" at the time.

The ATSB report says the train 1W33 was being taken from the Mayne Depot on the Exhibition loop line without any passengers aboard.

As it approached Roma St from the west, the driver acknowledged a flashing yellow signal warning him to slow to 25km/h.

But he went through last signal before the station which was red.

"The ATSB found that the driver of 1W33 was distracted from his primary task of driving the train, including observing and reacting to signals, by personal emotional thoughts when approaching signal RS57 displaying a stop indication," the report says.

"In relation to this incident, the driver advised that prior to commencing work he recalled a significant past personal event that resulted in an emotional response."

The ATSB report says Queensland Rail has already taken action in response to the incident including raising the volume of audible warnings at yellow and red signals.

They have also developed a health and wellbeing strategic plan including an organisational resilience and psychological wellbeing education and awareness program.

QR has also sought tenders to implement the European Train Control System which has additional inbuilt automated safety control features.

Comment has been sought from Queensland Rail.
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ozbob

#3
SPAD

Q2 2017/18 added.  Incidence is increasing.

>> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
[ select Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) ] in selection box.
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Quote from: ozbob on March 20, 2018, 17:08:47 PM
SPAD

Q2 2017/18 added.  Incidence is increasing.

>> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
[ select Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) ] in selection box.

Couriermail 24th March 2018 page 15

More trains running red lights

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Sent to all outlets:

24th March 2018

Queensland Rail Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) rate increasing

Good Morning,

The incidence of Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) is increasing.

See >> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
[ select Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD)  in selection box ].

This has been reported in today's Couriermail (see below).

Minister Bailey is correct when he says " Any increase in SPADs is a concern and we are taking steps to reduce their occurrence ".

This is of concern we agree.  It should also be noted that the Queensland Citytrain Network (suburban) does not have Automatic Train Protection (ATP). Steps have been taken to introduce a form of ATP, namely European Train Control System (ETCS)  [ https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/current-projects/european-train-control-system ] however implementation is years away.

Without wishing to sound alarmist can the Minister please outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs might be disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Couriermail 24th March 2018 page 15

More trains running red lights

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https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2018/rair/ro-2018-002/

Signal ME45 passed at danger resulting in a near-miss between suburban passenger trains TP43 and TR50 at Bowen Hills, Queensland on 10 January 2018

The ATSB has commenced an investigation into a signal passed at danger (SPAD) rail occurrence that occurred near Bowen Hills station in Brisbane, Queensland on 10 January 2018.

Suburban passenger train, designation TP43, exceeded its limit of authority by passing signal ME45 at danger, and continued on as the driver at the controls was unaware of the occurrence. At this point there was an imminent risk of a collision, as train TP43 was travelling directly into the path of suburban train TR50.

The train controller, who was alerted to the SPAD by the activation of a systems warning alarm, was able to broadcast an emergency call to the driver of train TP43, who subsequently stopped the train prior to the point of conflict. As part of the investigation, the ATSB will be collecting evidential material to determine the safety factors which contributed to the SPAD occurrence.

A final report will be released at the end of the investigation.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue.
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Sent to all outlets:

26th March 2018

What is being done about SPADs? (Signals Passed at Danger)

Good Morning,

As we anticipated, feedback indicates passengers are concerned with the increasing incidence of SPADs on the Citytrain network.

We again call for the  Minister to outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs is disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on March 24, 2018, 10:13:21 AM
Sent to all outlets:

24th March 2018

Queensland Rail Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) rate increasing

Good Morning,

The incidence of Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) is increasing.

See >> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
[ select Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD)  in selection box ].

This has been reported in today's Couriermail (see below).

Minister Bailey is correct when he says " Any increase in SPADs is a concern and we are taking steps to reduce their occurrence ".

This is of concern we agree.  It should also be noted that the Queensland Citytrain Network (suburban) does not have Automatic Train Protection (ATP). Steps have been taken to introduce a form of ATP, namely European Train Control System (ETCS)  [ https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/current-projects/european-train-control-system ] however implementation is years away.

Without wishing to sound alarmist can the Minister please outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs might be disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Couriermail 24th March 2018 page 15

More trains running red lights


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Couriermail --> Queensland Rail figures show 'disturbing' rise in train drivers running red lights

QuoteA TRAIN driver was back behind the controls 19 days after narrowly avoiding a collision at a busy Brisbane railway station when he became distracted and ran a red stop signal.

The incident was among those making up a "disturbing" rise in train drivers running red signals on the Citytrain passenger network.

Queensland Rail figures released to The Sunday Mail reveal 2017 was the worst year in almost a decade for drivers running red signals, with 38 "signals passed at danger" (SPAD) incidents that year. The number of incidents continued to climb in the first half of 2017-18.

Most recently, a train ignored a red signal on January 10 at Bowen Hills station, creating an "imminent risk of a collision" with a suburban train, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is still investigating the incident.

In a separate incident on September 5 last year, the driver of an empty train ignored a red signal and continued on to the Roma St platform, coming within 550m of a train on a converging route.

No one was injured, but it threw the network into chaos during afternoon peak hour.

An ATSB investigation this month found the red stop was missed after the driver became distracted by "personal emotional thoughts".

"The driver advised that prior to commencing work he recalled a significant past personal event that resulted in an emotional response," it found.

It also revealed drivers had run red lights at the same signal six times since 2007.

QR said the driver was cleared to return to work less than three weeks later.

QR chief executive officer Nick Easy rejected any link between the number of incidents and the ongoing train crew shortage, and said drivers must pass a competency test and on-track monitoring to check their skills before being deemed fit to return to duty.

But state Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the spike coincided with major service cutbacks due to the driver shortage, and criticised QR for not having a permanent safety manager.

She also labelled the Labor Government's handling of rail safety as "disturbing".

"Overcrowded trains speeding through signals put commuter safety at risk," she said.

Mr Easy said QR was finalising recruitment of a permanent safety executive general manager. The comparable job has been filled by an acting employee since July 2017.

QR last year rejected it was plugging holes in its roster when it returned a driver to work three weeks after another red signal breach in December 2016.

The driver was involved in a second incident a week later.

Commuter group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow wants a planned automatic braking system expedited and rolled-out across the network.

He said the rising number of incidents was particularly concerning as the network was under pressure, with plans for a high frequency Gold Coast service during Commonwealth Games.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said a SPAD prevention taskforce had been launched and an automatic braking system was on trial.
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Sent to all outlets:

1st April 2018

What is being done about SPADs? (Signal Passed at Danger)

Good Morning,

We renew our request for the Minister to outline in detail what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?

Today in the Sunday Mail --> Queensland Rail figures show 'disturbing' rise in train drivers running red lights

An increasing number of passengers are becoming very uneasy with the rising incidence of SPADs.  This is not an April Fools joke.  This is alarming.

Is there a link for the increasing incidence of SPADs with factors such as excess overtime, substance abuse, and the fixation on ontime running peak statistically nonsensical KPIs?  Have braking issues with the New Generation Rollingstock trains also been a factor?

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on March 26, 2018, 02:18:17 AM
Sent to all outlets:

26th March 2018

What is being done about SPADs? (Signals Passed at Danger)

Good Morning,

As we anticipated, feedback indicates passengers are concerned with the increasing incidence of SPADs on the Citytrain network.

We again call for the  Minister to outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs is disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on March 24, 2018, 10:13:21 AM
Sent to all outlets:

24th March 2018

Queensland Rail Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) rate increasing

Good Morning,

The incidence of Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) is increasing.

See >> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
[ select Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD)  in selection box ].

This has been reported in today's Couriermail (see below).

Minister Bailey is correct when he says " Any increase in SPADs is a concern and we are taking steps to reduce their occurrence ".

This is of concern we agree.  It should also be noted that the Queensland Citytrain Network (suburban) does not have Automatic Train Protection (ATP). Steps have been taken to introduce a form of ATP, namely European Train Control System (ETCS)  [ https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/current-projects/european-train-control-system ] however implementation is years away.

Without wishing to sound alarmist can the Minister please outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs might be disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Couriermail 24th March 2018 page 15

More trains running red lights


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BrizCommuter

Lack of ATP across most of Brisbane's Citytrain network is an accident waiting to happen. Sure the considerable overtime, which RTBU seems to "encourage" isn't helping.

ozbob

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22 April 2017 Couriermail --> Queensland Rail train drivers run red lights, with rate of close calls climbing

QuoteCOMMUTERS are being put at risk by train drivers who run red lights while chatting, speeding, eating snacks or daydreaming, as the rate of close-calls climbs.

But last year's timetable bungle was also partly blamed for an error that saw a driver blow through a red signal by 150m and ignore a back-up alarm warning.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the bungles outlined in official safety reports that have seen trains chug past stops by as much as 900m, with several having the potential for collision as ignorant passengers sat on board.

Safety investigation reports obtained under Right to Information laws identified drivers who were speeding, chatting with a guard, eating, distracted by a crackly radio, had their emergency broadcast turned down, or were thinking about personal issues when they recorded a Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD).

Several would have headed into the path of another train had emergency systems not kicked in. All were cleared for drugs and alcohol, and ­fatigue was thought to be a contributory factor in just one case, although another driver admitted he had got behind the controls after only five hours' sleep.

Queensland Rail yesterday refused to answer questions about disciplinary action taken against SPAD drivers.

Documents outline a December 11 incident in which a Shorncliffe service damaged track points after it drove on to a section set for a Cleveland-bound train that had passed by just 22 seconds ­earlier between Nundah and Northgate stations. The Shorncliffe driver read the wrong light and thought a warning alarm that sounded was a "fault". It wasn't until network control sent an emergency call that she braked to stop, overshooting the signal by 147m.

The investigation found that "the October timetable required a number of complex train movements through Northgate Station".

An investigation into another SPAD at Northgate on November 20 found the "potential to result in a flanking collision" as two trains headed towards the platform on the same piece of track.

Both trains were ordered to apply emergency brakes when one driver misread a signal and was travelling too fast on approach to the red.

QR's figures show the incidents of SPAD events trending up since January 2016.

There have been 27 since August last year, not including those caused by third party operators Aurizon and Pacific National, and the organisation is averaging one a week.

QR chief executive Nick Easy said the organisation was reviewing its SPAD Risk Reduction Strategy, but he said the number of events was consistent with the monthly average for the past five years of 3.6.

"Safety is Queensland Rail's absolute priority and we have a comprehensive strategy in place and a broad range of safety controls, from engineering design of the signalling system to driver training and cultural awareness programs," he said. "SPAD incidents are an industry-wide occurrence, but when you look at the data our strategy is working."

Transport Minister Jackie Trad (pictured) said she was confident QR was "doing everything it can to improve safety and reduce SPADs".

Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary Owen Doogan said no SPADs had resulted in injuries and the current rate was "pretty good".
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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released the final investigation report into an incident on 26 August 2017 involving a 'signal passed at danger' by suburban passenger train 1A21 in Bowen Hill, Queensland.

Report summary:
At about 0948, suburban passenger train 1A21 exceeded its limit of authority by passing signal ME45 while it displayed a stop indication. The driver of the train was distracted on approach to Bowen Hills station and was further distracted after departing from the station. The sequence of distractions led to the driver overlooking risk control measures that would normally be applied when approaching a stop signal. This resulted in the driver applying the brakes too late to stop before the signal. The signal had been placed at 'stop' to define the limit of a Track Occupancy Authority, which was in the process of being lifted for normal operations.

This incident serves as an important reminder to train drivers that distraction while operating trains is a hazard which increases risk. To manage the risk appropriately, drivers are required to follow a robust risk-based approach. This includes applying the appropriate procedures and control measures

Investigation Report: Signal ME45 passed at danger, involving suburban passenger train 1A21, Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, 26 August 2017
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A Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 4th April 2018 page 13

A sketchy future for Queensland Rail

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jesse

Can confirm that Run 1886 has exceeded its limited of authority by passing NE44 by a full carriage length at approx 19:25. (Unit numbers are 38/46)

ozbob

Sent to all outlets:

12th April 2018

What is being done about SPADs? (Signal Passed at Danger)

Good Morning,

No response to our request for a detailed explanation as to what is being done to review Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) events.  We understand there was another SPAD last evening.

It is disappointing that the ' State of Queensland ' ignores the growing community unease with respect to SPADs and fails to outline what is being done to bring SPADs down.  Queensland Government and their bureaucracies are not transparent and open.  They are in fact cloistered and secretive in the extreme, which breeds cultural and organisational failure.  Something we are all far to familiar with sadly.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on April 01, 2018, 02:17:14 AM
Sent to all outlets:

1st April 2018

What is being done about SPADs? (Signal Passed at Danger)

Good Morning,

We renew our request for the Minister to outline in detail what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?

Today in the Sunday Mail --> Queensland Rail figures show 'disturbing' rise in train drivers running red lights

An increasing number of passengers are becoming very uneasy with the rising incidence of SPADs.  This is not an April Fools joke.  This is alarming.

Is there a link for the increasing incidence of SPADs with factors such as excess overtime, substance abuse, and the fixation on ontime running peak statistically nonsensical KPIs?  Have braking issues with the New Generation Rollingstock trains also been a factor?

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on March 26, 2018, 02:18:17 AM
Sent to all outlets:

26th March 2018

What is being done about SPADs? (Signals Passed at Danger)

Good Morning,

As we anticipated, feedback indicates passengers are concerned with the increasing incidence of SPADs on the Citytrain network.

We again call for the  Minister to outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs is disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on March 24, 2018, 10:13:21 AM
Sent to all outlets:

24th March 2018

Queensland Rail Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) rate increasing

Good Morning,

The incidence of Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) is increasing.

See >> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
[ select Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD)  in selection box ].

This has been reported in today's Couriermail (see below).

Minister Bailey is correct when he says " Any increase in SPADs is a concern and we are taking steps to reduce their occurrence ".

This is of concern we agree.  It should also be noted that the Queensland Citytrain Network (suburban) does not have Automatic Train Protection (ATP). Steps have been taken to introduce a form of ATP, namely European Train Control System (ETCS)  [ https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/current-projects/european-train-control-system ] however implementation is years away.

Without wishing to sound alarmist can the Minister please outline what is being done to review SPADs and what are the actual steps being taken to reduce their occurrence please?  This news of increasing incidence of SPADs might be disturbing to some of the public.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Couriermail 24th March 2018 page 15

More trains running red lights


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Quote from: jesse on April 11, 2018, 19:33:59 PM
Can confirm that Run 1886 has exceeded its limited of authority by passing NE44 by a full carriage length at approx 19:25. (Unit numbers are 38/46)

Thanks jesse ..
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#26
http://www.qrig.org/safeworking/train-numbering-guide

1886 = 6 car EMU in revenue service, Cleveland suburban, UP.
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Couriermail --> Queensland Rail drivers still failing to stop at red lights

QuoteSTRESSED, distracted and unhappy Queensland Rail train drivers were behind the controls during some of the worst errors jeopardising passenger safety on the rail network.

A Sunday Mail investigation into a reported spike in the number of train drivers failing to stop at red signals shows the incidents were caused by everything from a driver's fear about running late to chatty train guards in the driver's cab and a cabin mishap involving a controller becoming entangled in a telephone cord, causing a power surge.

The incidents are detailed in 24 separate "Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD)" investigations by QR obtained by The Sunday Mail under Right to Information legislation.

Others remain under investigation by the rail safety regulator, including a near-miss on January 10 creating an "imminent risk" of a head-on between two trains at Bowen Hills.

QR faced its worst year in almost a decade for SPAD incidents last year, with 38 cases.

Rail bosses are so concerned they appointed a special taskforce to arrest the upward trend.

In one case, a train driver failed to stop at a red signal in July last year after becoming distracted by fears the train would miss QR's stringent on-time running targets.

On-time-running is tied to executive bonuses for meeting targets and hefty penalties for not.

It is used by the State Government as a yardstick for QR's performance, but has been accused of encouraging "station skipping", where all-station trains are suddenly flicked to run express.

As previously revealed, the trains are then counted as on-time, helping QR meet the nation's toughest target of 95 per cent of trains arriving within four minutes of the scheduled time.

QR investigators found that the primary cause of the July 2017 incident was a driver becoming "distracted by on-time running requirements and allowing their attention to be drawn away from the primary task of observing signals and responding (to the red signal)."

As passenger train TP37 zoomed toward Albion station that month, the driver's thoughts were fixed on how the train could ever arrive on time after a series of delays.

A track closure and speed restrictions meant it was running nine minutes late when the driver's thoughts "digressed" to the domino effect this would have on his later journeys.

It was at this point the driver realised the train was about to whiz by a red light.

The driver hit the emergency brake, stopping 1m beyond the red signal.

In another case that month, a driver stopped 95m passed a red signal. The driver had been reading documents on approaching the signal to try overcome a faulty indicator.

He passed QR's fatigue management test, but nonetheless reported "he always feels fatigued".

Three other incidents were caused by chatty train guards distracting the driver.

A "short conversation" with a guard about a "pay slip they wanted to obtain before going home that day" led to a distracted driver running a red signal in July 2017.

Then last October, another driver failed to stop when a guard entered the driver cab.

Last January, another guard-driver "catch up" saw a train miss a red signal at Taringa by 37m.

Another train failed to stop on November 5 last year at Central Station after a phone cord in the cabin caught onto a power controller "causing a surge of power to the train."

And on January 24, a driver missed a stop after becoming distracted by thoughts of an upcoming break, triggering an hour-long delay.

Days later, another driver was "reflecting on personal issues" and had earlier viewed an upsetting Facebook post when he stopped 150m down the line from a red signal at Walloon.

He couldn't say when he saw the post, but told investigators it was not while driving.

The driver conceded he shouldn't have turned up to work, but had previously been made to feel guilty by a roster clerk for reporting unfit for duty.

QR has rejected a link between the number of SPADs on the network and train crew supply.

Chief executive Nick Easy said a SPAD prevention taskforce had in February begun implementing extra safety controls and new initiates.

Mr Easy said it had led to a "stabilisation" of the rate of SPADs last year, which he said had fallen more than five per cent between January and May.
MISSED RED LIGHTS

2017

Jul 4: Driver misses red signal between Roma St and Milton after becoming distracted.

Jul 6: Driver passes red signal at Shorncliffe after reading train documents.

Jul 13: Driver worried about running late and breaching
on-time running requirements misses red signal by 1m.

Jul 19: Red signal incident causes a more than one-hour delay near Bowen Hills.

Jul 25: Driver distracted by a conversation with a guard about a payslip when the train goes through red at Normanby.

Jun 30: Driver at Wellington Point goes through yellow signal as it turns red, coming to a stop 70m down the line.

Aug 18: Train goes through red signal, which had changed to allow another train to pass in front. The driver had bronchitis but recorded an "acceptable" fatigue score.

Aug 19: Driver looking at wrong signal fails to stop at a red, stopping about 135m later. Another train had been due to cross the tracks about 100m up the line.

Aug 20: Red signal missed at Roma St when the driver mistakes it for green.

Aug 23: Trainee driver runs red signal due to "inattentional blindness" caused by concentrating on the task of approaching a station.

Aug 26: Driver distracted by person on platform stops 60m past red signal at Bowen Hills.

Sep 5: Driver looking at the wrong signal stops 468m from the potential point of conflict with another train.

Sep 5: Empty passenger train at Roma St stops 170m past a red signal after driver is distracted by "personal emotional thoughts".

Oct 22: Driver runs a red signal at Normanby after being distracted by a guard in the cab.

Oct 29: Driver suffering "expectation bias" thinks a red signal is about to turn green when it doesn't.

Nov 5: Phone cord catches on power controller, causing a power surge. Train passes red by 3m.

Nov 24: Driver inattention causes 44-min delay by failing to stop on red at Lindum.

Dec 12: Driver distracted by a radio conversation about an air leak and runs a red signal.

Dec 28: Train runs a red after the signal's light bulb blows.

2018

Jan 16: Red passed at Petrie.

Jan 23: Driver distracted by a catch-up with a guard fails to stop at red at Taringa.

Jan 27: Driver becomes distracted by thoughts about a personal issue when he goes through a red signal at Walloon, going another 150m.

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ozbob

Sent to all outlets 8th July 2018

Re: Queensland Rail Performance Data still not published!

Good Morning,

Is this why Queensland Rail Performance Data is not being published?

We call on the Minister for Transport Mr Bailey to release all the performance data for February to June 2018 immediately.

This is an outrage!

From today's Sunday Mail.

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail drivers still failing to stop at red lights

QuoteSTRESSED, distracted and unhappy Queensland Rail train drivers were behind the controls during some of the worst errors jeopardising passenger safety on the rail network.

A Sunday Mail investigation into a reported spike in the number of train drivers failing to stop at red signals shows the incidents were caused by everything from a driver's fear about running late to chatty train guards in the driver's cab and a cabin mishap involving a controller becoming entangled in a telephone cord, causing a power surge.

The incidents are detailed in 24 separate "Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD)" investigations by QR obtained by The Sunday Mail under Right to Information legislation.

Others remain under investigation by the rail safety regulator, including a near-miss on January 10 creating an "imminent risk" of a head-on between two trains at Bowen Hills.

QR faced its worst year in almost a decade for SPAD incidents last year, with 38 cases.

Rail bosses are so concerned they appointed a special taskforce to arrest the upward trend.

In one case, a train driver failed to stop at a red signal in July last year after becoming distracted by fears the train would miss QR's stringent on-time running targets.

On-time-running is tied to executive bonuses for meeting targets and hefty penalties for not.

It is used by the State Government as a yardstick for QR's performance, but has been accused of encouraging "station skipping", where all-station trains are suddenly flicked to run express.

As previously revealed, the trains are then counted as on-time, helping QR meet the nation's toughest target of 95 per cent of trains arriving within four minutes of the scheduled time.

QR investigators found that the primary cause of the July 2017 incident was a driver becoming "distracted by on-time running requirements and allowing their attention to be drawn away from the primary task of observing signals and responding (to the red signal)."

As passenger train TP37 zoomed toward Albion station that month, the driver's thoughts were fixed on how the train could ever arrive on time after a series of delays.

A track closure and speed restrictions meant it was running nine minutes late when the driver's thoughts "digressed" to the domino effect this would have on his later journeys.

It was at this point the driver realised the train was about to whiz by a red light.

The driver hit the emergency brake, stopping 1m beyond the red signal.

In another case that month, a driver stopped 95m passed a red signal. The driver had been reading documents on approaching the signal to try overcome a faulty indicator.

He passed QR's fatigue management test, but nonetheless reported "he always feels fatigued".

Three other incidents were caused by chatty train guards distracting the driver.

A "short conversation" with a guard about a "pay slip they wanted to obtain before going home that day" led to a distracted driver running a red signal in July 2017.

Then last October, another driver failed to stop when a guard entered the driver cab.

Last January, another guard-driver "catch up" saw a train miss a red signal at Taringa by 37m.

Another train failed to stop on November 5 last year at Central Station after a phone cord in the cabin caught onto a power controller "causing a surge of power to the train."

And on January 24, a driver missed a stop after becoming distracted by thoughts of an upcoming break, triggering an hour-long delay.

Days later, another driver was "reflecting on personal issues" and had earlier viewed an upsetting Facebook post when he stopped 150m down the line from a red signal at Walloon.

He couldn't say when he saw the post, but told investigators it was not while driving.

The driver conceded he shouldn't have turned up to work, but had previously been made to feel guilty by a roster clerk for reporting unfit for duty.

QR has rejected a link between the number of SPADs on the network and train crew supply.

Chief executive Nick Easy said a SPAD prevention taskforce had in February begun implementing extra safety controls and new initiates.

Mr Easy said it had led to a "stabilisation" of the rate of SPADs last year, which he said had fallen more than five per cent between January and May.
MISSED RED LIGHTS

2017

Jul 4: Driver misses red signal between Roma St and Milton after becoming distracted.

Jul 6: Driver passes red signal at Shorncliffe after reading train documents.

Jul 13: Driver worried about running late and breaching
on-time running requirements misses red signal by 1m.

Jul 19: Red signal incident causes a more than one-hour delay near Bowen Hills.

Jul 25: Driver distracted by a conversation with a guard about a payslip when the train goes through red at Normanby.

Jun 30: Driver at Wellington Point goes through yellow signal as it turns red, coming to a stop 70m down the line.

Aug 18: Train goes through red signal, which had changed to allow another train to pass in front. The driver had bronchitis but recorded an "acceptable" fatigue score.

Aug 19: Driver looking at wrong signal fails to stop at a red, stopping about 135m later. Another train had been due to cross the tracks about 100m up the line.

Aug 20: Red signal missed at Roma St when the driver mistakes it for green.

Aug 23: Trainee driver runs red signal due to "inattentional blindness" caused by concentrating on the task of approaching a station.

Aug 26: Driver distracted by person on platform stops 60m past red signal at Bowen Hills.

Sep 5: Driver looking at the wrong signal stops 468m from the potential point of conflict with another train.

Sep 5: Empty passenger train at Roma St stops 170m past a red signal after driver is distracted by "personal emotional thoughts".

Oct 22: Driver runs a red signal at Normanby after being distracted by a guard in the cab.

Oct 29: Driver suffering "expectation bias" thinks a red signal is about to turn green when it doesn't.

Nov 5: Phone cord catches on power controller, causing a power surge. Train passes red by 3m.

Nov 24: Driver inattention causes 44-min delay by failing to stop on red at Lindum.

Dec 12: Driver distracted by a radio conversation about an air leak and runs a red signal.

Dec 28: Train runs a red after the signal's light bulb blows.

2018

Jan 16: Red passed at Petrie.

Jan 23: Driver distracted by a catch-up with a guard fails to stop at red at Taringa.

Jan 27: Driver becomes distracted by thoughts about a personal issue when he goes through a red signal at Walloon, going another 150m.


Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on July 07, 2018, 12:58:01 PM
Sent to all outlets:

7th July 2018

Queensland Rail Performance Data still not published!

Greetings,

It is time to ask why Queensland Rail performance data has ceased to be published.

Last data published was for January 2018.

Service punctuality and reliability https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/service-punctuality-and-reliability
Safety and Security  https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security
Customer information  https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/customer-information

Previous requests as to a reason as to why the data has not been published have remain unanswered and ignored.

There is growing concern that there may be significant deterioration in some of the key performance data measurements (e.g. signals passed at danger) and this is perhaps why it has not been made available publicly.  There is one exception, we have seen skipped stations data for February, March and April 2018.  This data was released to a journalist and was reported on 9 News.

If there is not a response by the 13th July 2018 we will make a Right To Information application for the Queensland Rail performance data.

There is something seriously wrong with the Transport Portfolio.  There appears to be a deliberate policy of obfuscation and unacceptable delay.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on June 25, 2018, 13:00:30 PM
Sent to all outlets:

25th June 2018

Queensland Rail Performance Data still not published - something to hide?


Greetings,

Still no recent Queensland Rail performance data published ( as of 1pm 25th June 2018 https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance ). Last data is for January 2018.

Why is the data not being published?  Is there more bad news?

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on June 23, 2018, 02:19:55 AM
Sent to all outlets:

23rd June 2018

Queensland Rail Performance Data still not published!

Good Morning,

Still no movement on the Queensland Rail ' Our Performance ' data. ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance ).

I have seen the skipped stations data for February, March, and April 2018.  So there is no doubt that the data is available at Queensland Rail but they don't appear to be able to publicly publish the data.  I strongly suspect that the Minister for Transport's office is blocking publication.   The question must be asked why?

Data such as Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD),  Customer Injuries, Bridge Strikes,  Level crossing collisions, and Alcohol and other drugs testing; need to be reported publicly and in a timely manner.  The last data published was January 2018.

This lack of publication is unsatisfactory and raises great concerns. These things need to be reported monthly and promptly.

It is difficult to have any confidence in a Government that seeks to obfuscate. Can we have confidence in the rail network?

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on June 22, 2018, 02:07:23 AM
Sent to all outlets:

22nd June 2018

Queensland Rail Our Performance Data on a slow train to nowhere ...

Good Morning,

The Queensland Rail ' Our Performance ' data has still not been updated.  Now nearly 6 months behind.
https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance

This is an outrageous slur to Queenslanders.  Do we have to make a RTI application for the information?

There must be some very bad statistics if you will not release the data hey Minister?

The rail fail rot continues ... day 630 since the first wave of rail fail cancellations on the 30th September 2016.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org
Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
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ozbob

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ozbob

So Mr Easy comments SPADs have stabilised with a 5% reduction.
Where is the fuking data?
:steam:
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ozbob

Hard copy ..

Sunday Mail 8th July 2018 pages 24 and 25

Distracted drivers put lives on the line



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ozbob

" QR has rejected a link between the number of SPADs on the network and train crew supply.

Chief executive Nick Easy said a SPAD prevention taskforce had in February begun implementing extra safety controls and new initiates.

Mr Easy said it had led to a "stabilisation" of the rate of SPADs last year, which he said had fallen more than five per cent between January and May. "

^ appears in the online version but not the hard copy ... was chopped.
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PoliticalFootball

Quote from: ozbob on July 08, 2018, 07:21:18 AM
" QR has rejected a link between the number of SPADs on the network and train crew supply.

What a crock. They're doing huge amounts of OT to cover services. Leave is being knocked back left right and centre for drivers because they don't have enough coverage. The shift turn arounds are rediculous in some instances but because the QR fatigue score is calculated by a computer they think everything is ok.

Staff are only human. They're being pushed beyond acceptable limits of work & fatigue. Add on to that all the extra signals and signs added to the network over the years, it's no wonder incidents have gone up. I would dare say the network is overdue for a major incident.

Of course this all falls on deaf ears though, as long as management keep getting their performance bonuses they don't care about the little bloke.

ozbob

Agree.  I knew things have not been right, particularly when they starting to bury basic performance data.

There is a lot wrong with QR middle and senior management in my view.  And don't get me started on the Board, what a waste!

A 5% reduction in the worst SPAD rate is better than none, but still indicates serious problems.

The cash bonuses make me vomit!!
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PoliticalFootball

Most staff would agree with you. Doing all the hard work for a useless manager to get a huge bonus!

#Metro

Interesting articles from CM.

Suggests two things:

- Trains skip stops because of network issues and to satisfy metrics. Claims that a private operator would skip stops such as in Melbourne are unsound because the same behavior is observed with a fully public operator as well. Suggests that the actual issue is expectations, contract design, the metrics and pressure to comply rather than public/private.

- Also suggests that guards can decrease the safety of rail operations through distraction. This is evidence against the idea that guards always enhance safety and thus a transition to DOO would reduce safety.

Another observation is that the SPADS metric is too simplistic. It treats a 1m signal violation the same as a 95m violation. Clearly, the risk of a crash increases as the distance travelled past the danger signal increases also.

In other words, the actual graph or chart the CEO is using to suggest QR has reduced SPADS by 5% is itself not properly reflecting the true risk. SPADS should also be measured as a distance, not just a count. A true reduction in risk should see the total distance of SPADS fall.
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

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