The Australian federal government has decided to introduce the European Train Control System (ETCS) as the mandatory standard for all future investments in digital signalling technology on the national railway network NNI. This is intended to eliminate existing differences between the states and improve interoperability in passenger rail transport and rail freight transport. Implementation will take place within the framework of the National Rail Action Plan under the leadership of the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB). In addition, a new governance model for the development and implementation of national railway standards and a simplified approval procedure for new rolling stock have been adopted. A consultation paper will be prepared and a national ETCS training curriculum developed in the coming months.
