Accidents

Near Collision of Trains, Cootamundra

Following a signalling system design error, a passenger train had to unexpectedly apply its brakes; it stopped just 5 m short of a goods train.

On 12 November 2009, a passenger train was being routed into Number 1 Platform Road at Cootamundra,  New South Wales. The driver of the passenger train received a signal indicating that the route was clear.  However, as he approached, he noticed that the last wagon of a freight train was blocking his path. He  applied the train brakes and stopped just short of a collision.

The investigation determined that a signalling system design error had allowed the incorrect signal to occur.  The error happened despite the staff involved being suitably qualified and experienced. Working against  a tight timescale, they were simultaneously developing a control table and associated software, rather  than adopting the normal sequential approach. The control table contains information on points, signal  and level crossing interlocking logic. The tight timescale also compromised the normal testing process.  In addition, the quality control process was somewhat lacking: for example, not all identified queries and  issues were appropriately closed out.

This incident illustrates the importance of the integrity Data Property, with respect to the control table data,  and the completeness Data Property, with respect to data produced by the testing and the quality control  processes.

Links 

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2009/rair/ro-2009-009.aspx
(accessed 29  November 2017).