On this page: What is a safety interface agreement? | Guideline | Latest information on SIAs | Who is affected by SIAs? | Why SIAs have been introduced | Types of railway crossings
What is a safety interface agreement?
A safety interface agreement (SIA) is an agreement about the management of safety risks arising at railway interfaces.
An amendment (PDF, 651 KB, 104 pp.) to the Rail Safety Act 2006 introduces a requirement for rail operates and road managers to identify and assess safety risks arising from rail interfaces, namely railway crossings. The relevant parties must seek to reach agreement on how to manage those risks in SIAs. The provisions relating to SIAs become operational on 1 July 2010.
Guideline
The Road/Rail Safety Interface Agreements guideline has been developed in consultation with road and rail stakeholders and describes PTSV's expectations in relation to SIAs. The guideline also provides information on relevant considerations for railway crossing risk management. The document is available on our website from the rail safety publications page.
Latest information on SIAs
PTSV undertook extensive consultation with major stakeholders during 2008, and will continue to work to provide advice on the requirements of the SIA legislation and information on level crossing safety and risk management considerations to duty holders. PTSV welcomes enquiries and feedback relating to the development or implementation of SIAs. Contact us for further information or assistance.
A 'template SIA' has been developed by a group whose members were drawn from local government, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), VicRoads, V/Line, Connex and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Although use of the template SIA itself does not ensure compliance with the legislation, it may be useful for local councils in developing SIAs. The template SIA and other supporting documentation can be obtained by contacting the MAV. The MAV can also provide information and assistance to local councils relating to SIAs, level crossing safety and potential level crossing closures.
Who is affected by SIAs?
The road managers with rail interfaces who will be affected by these new laws include the majority of Victorian councils, VicRoads, and potentially private road owners as well. The major rail infrastructure managers in Victoria are currently Connex, V/Line and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Other rail infrastructure managers, including Yarra Trams and some Victorian tourist and heritage rail operators also have responsibilities under the new laws.
Why SIAs have been introduced
Railway crossing incidents are a major cause of rail-related fatalities in Australia. In the past, no overarching framework has been in place to ensure road and rail operators undertake a coordinated approach to the management of safety at railway crossings. Parties are able to manage risks at railway crossings better together than independently..
A national consensus between rail safety regulators, national transport agencies and other high level stakeholders was reached early in 2007 that a formal arrangement for road managers and rail operators to jointly manage safety risks at railway crossings be incorporated into the legislation of each Australian state and territory.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has a webpage which includes a news release and some background information on SIAs. A national overview of the responsibilities of parties and the matters which may be dealt with in SIAs, can be found in the NTC February 2008 road and rail interfaces information bulletin (PDF, 276 KB, 6 pp.).
Types of railway crossings
Railway crossings are also commonly known as ‘level crossings’ (where a road crosses over rail tracks at the same level). The SIA legislation makes reference to ‘rail or road crossings’, because safety interface agreements need to encompass rail over road or road over rail bridges as well as level crossings. Management of rail pedestrian crossings will be included in safety interface agreements.