Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
KiwiRail
Text
There is a heightened risk of trains colliding within the approaches to Wellington Station because limited available space makes the track layout congested. The existing layout means there are fewer safety overlaps designed into this area and fewer fail-safe back-up systems in place in the event of a driver failing to stop at a red light.
Any increases in commuter train services into and out of Wellington through this tight track layout increases the pressure on this bottleneck area, and in turn increases the underlying risk of relying on train drivers to stop at red lights.
To decongest and modernise the track and signal infrastructure at Wellington Station will require significant resources, which is unlikely to occur in the near future.
However, there will likely be future increases in rail patronage and the system is already congested.
On 15 December 2017, the Commission recommended that the Chief Executive of KiwiRail liaise with Greater Wellington Regional Council to develop a long-term strategy for the metropolitan rail system, with a view to identifying and addressing the current safety issues with the track and signalling infrastructure in the Wellington Station area.
Any increases in commuter train services into and out of Wellington through this tight track layout increases the pressure on this bottleneck area, and in turn increases the underlying risk of relying on train drivers to stop at red lights.
To decongest and modernise the track and signal infrastructure at Wellington Station will require significant resources, which is unlikely to occur in the near future.
However, there will likely be future increases in rail patronage and the system is already congested.
On 15 December 2017, the Commission recommended that the Chief Executive of KiwiRail liaise with Greater Wellington Regional Council to develop a long-term strategy for the metropolitan rail system, with a view to identifying and addressing the current safety issues with the track and signalling infrastructure in the Wellington Station area.
Reply Text
KiwiRail accepts the recommendation as presented and will be engaging with the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) for developing a long-term strategy for improving the safety of the track and signalling infrastructure in the Wellington Station area.
Related Investigation(s)