Originally published in Track & Signal Spring 2014.

The Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), of the United States of America have joined forces to advance safe, efficient and reliable rail operations.

This week, Executive director of ACRI, Vicki Brown and the administrator of the USA’s Federal Railroad Administration, Joseph C. Szabo co-signed a Memorandum of Co-Operation (MoC), committing to share knowledge, ideas and develop a strong dialogue for the betterment of rail safety. The partnership, facilitating shared access to research outcomes, is expected to benefit the Australasian rail sector by enabling the pooling of resources to provide economies of scale in the delivery of innovations to the rail and wider transport sector. FRA’s research and development program covers track, rolling stock and train control engineering and human factors science. Many of the issues being studied are common to those experienced in Australasia.

ACRI Chairman, former deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, said the agreement would help to ensure Australasia keeps abreast of international advances in transport technology while establishing ACRI as the collaborative rail research organisation for the Australasian rail industry.

“By partnering with established rail organisations internationally, ACRI is taking a proactive approach to ensure the Australian rail sector is in touch with global innovation and research” Mr Anderson said.

Established in November 2013, the Australasian Centre for Rail innovation (ACRI) formally commenced operations on 1 July 2014 and has already made significant progress in creating partnerships within the sector. With several work programs now ramping up to deliver research outcomes in the transport sector, ACRI will work to ensure that innovation in Australia remains competitive on the international stage.

Having already formally partnered with the UK Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), and International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA), ACRI is seeking to extend its influence in the international rail sector and ensure that collaboration is at the heart of its delivery model.

“This collaboration will create wonderful opportunities for rail research in both Australasia and in the United States, creating greater efficiencies in the production of research by allowing each party to contribute to each other’s work. Collaboration is often the key to unlocking the potential held in research” said Vicki Brown, Executive director of ACRI.

More information about the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation and their work is available by contacting the Executive Director Vicki Brown, at vicki.brown@infrastructure.gov.au.