Signal Passed At Danger - SPAD

ozbob · October 09, 2020, 15:44:55 PM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1314441548868722688

ozbob · November 11, 2020, 13:29:15 PM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1326366066407174147

ozbob · December 10, 2020, 14:23:33 PM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1336889122116444161

ozbob · January 11, 2021, 15:10:11 PM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1348497330874372097

ozbob · February 10, 2021, 14:51:26 PM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1359362491252314116

achiruel · February 12, 2021, 10:26:41 AM

Any thoughts on why this year is consistently higher than last? Lots of new drivers who aren't as experienced maybe?

red dragin · February 12, 2021, 10:52:11 AM

Quote from: achiruel on February 12, 2021, 10:26:41 AM
Any thoughts on why this year is consistently higher than last? Lots of new drivers who aren't as experienced maybe?

There was a big push last year to improve the SPAD rate. That might have lessened off combined with covid (less passengers = shorter dwell times) perhaps?

ozbob · February 16, 2021, 15:51:01 PM

Overall for all rail operators around Australia the average SPAD rate for passenger trains was 1.87 per million train km FY 19/20
(https://www.onrsr.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/26930/ONRSR-2019-2020-Rail-Safety-Report.pdf page 10).

January 2018, QR recorded a peak SPAD rate of 2.53 ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/Queensland-Rail-maintains-strong-focus-on-SPAD-prevention.aspx ).

I understand QR has ramped up anti-SPAD measures following the increase in the last few months.

ozbob · February 18, 2021, 01:02:01 AM

Couriermail --> Brisbane's red-light running train drivers cite Covid concerns and personal problems $

QuoteTRAIN drivers distracted by COVID concerns, personal problems and chatting colleagues are blowing through stop signals and even into level crossings open to cars.

And the majority of drivers were speeding at the time of their mistake.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the rate of red lights being run on Queensland's rail lines is climbing as investigation reports released under Right to Information laws give an insight into what was happening in the cab at the time.

Drivers lost focus and overran signals by as much as 195 metres, including at three different level crossings. ....

Foonote Admin: I was interviewed by 7 News re SPADs and Bridge Strikes 17th Feb 2021

ozbob · April 11, 2021, 06:39:25 AM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1380983635579314176

ozbob · May 14, 2021, 04:58:08 AM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1392916967414132736

ozbob · May 16, 2021, 13:01:41 PM

ATSB: Signal ME45 passed at danger involving suburban passenger train TP43 and near collision with another suburban passenger train, Bowen Hills, Queensland, on 10 January 2018

Final report 15 April 2021

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

Well worth a read ...

QuoteThere is limited potential to effectively redesign the AWS to reduce SPAD risk. However, QR is in the process of introducing the European Train Control System (ETCS) in parts of the south-east Queensland network, and this system, where and when it is implemented, will provide more sophisticated engineering controls for detecting potential SPADs and managing their risk.

^ this. Again I think the entire network should be upgraded to ETCS.

achiruel · May 20, 2021, 18:17:33 PM

^ I agree, however conversion to ETCS2 would be a huge project, and it makes sense that the core, which would deliver the most benefit, be done first.

BTW, do you know if Moorooka-Dutton Park is being done as part of CRR? If not, that should be the next priority!

ozbob · May 21, 2021, 00:12:37 AM

ETCS L2 is going through to Salisbury.

ozbob · June 07, 2021, 01:22:41 AM

Brisbanetimes --> Commuters at risk as train drivers increasingly run red lights

QuoteTrain drivers are increasingly running red lights and putting commuters' lives in danger.

Queensland Rail data reveals the rate of "signal passed at danger" (SPAD) – the term used when a train passes through a red signal – has soared. ...

ozbob · June 10, 2021, 15:50:21 PM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1402865616323694595

ozbob · July 14, 2021, 01:02:30 AM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1414963349578735621

ozbob · August 11, 2021, 15:32:28 PM

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2021/2021_08_10_EstimatesTRC.pdf

page 39

Mr MINNIKIN: I would like to ask some questions of Mr Easy from Queensland Rail. Last year
at estimates in relation to signals passed at danger or SPADs you said—

We have seen a slight increase in the SPADs over the last two months, but I am also very pleased to report that in November
that rate has dropped again.

According to information on the Queensland Rail website, the rate in October was 1.94 and in
November 2020 the rate was 2.04. In fact, it did not go down, it went up. At the time of the hearing last
year on 11 December, had you been provided with the November data that was subsequently published
on the Queensland Rail website?

Mr Easy: Obviously that question and my answer were at a point in time. The data that is
released on the Queensland Rail website is published after the end of each month. The figures are
transparent. They are publicly published for all to see and at the time there was a reduction of the
SPADs. The figures at the end of the month did result in an increase, so my answer was correct at the
time.

Mr MINNIKIN: When you became aware the information that you provided to the committee was
incorrect, because of the reasons you have just said, what steps did you take to correct the record,
Mr Easy?

Mr Easy: I believe my answer was correct at the time I gave it.

Mr MINNIKIN: Mr Easy, in relation to recent SPAD data, are you confident that you are able to
answer these questions or should they be referred to someone else? Are you happy to answer these
questions?

CHAIR: Member, just be cautious. Is that seeking an opinion? Mr Easy, answer if you can.

Mr Easy: I am happy to take your questions.

Mr MINNIKIN: The May SPAD rate is 2.27 versus 1.75 for the same time as last year. This is the
ninth month in a row that SPADs have been higher than last year's number. How is this feeding into rail
safety, Mr Easy?

Mr Easy: Perhaps if I could just remind the committee that a SPAD is a signal passed at danger
where a train enters a section of track without authority. We have come off a very low number of SPADs
on the network and, in fact, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau report that was released on the
incident at signal ME45 acknowledged that the rate of SPADs on the Queensland Rail network is in fact
very low and that the number of signals passed per SPAD is 36,000 signals. While the number has
increased from the period you talked about and it is on the back of some very low numbers of SPADs
on our network, we still are comparable with industry and other operators around Australia. We have
had acknowledgement from the regulator that the rates are indeed quite low. It is also a reflection that
with the controls we have in place, ultimately the injection of new technology such as the European
train control system which is being undertaken will have a significant impact on the elimination of SPADs
where that investment occurs on the network. I think this an acknowledgement of where we are at in
terms of safety on our network. We have a very safe network, and we will continue to focus on a
reduction of those signals passed at danger over time.

CHAIR: I would just like to say thanks for clarifying the acronym. I appreciate it.