AS 7630:2017

n
tio
Railway Infrastructure – Track
Classification

a
fic
si
s
la
C
Infrastructure Standard

w ck
ie ra
ev - T
Pr e
ur
ct
ru
st
fra
In
ay
lw
ai
R
 AS 7630:2017
Railway Infrastructure – Track
Classification

This Australian Standard® AS 7630 Railway Infrastructure – Track Classification was prepared by a Rail Industry
Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) Development Group consisting of representatives from the following

n
organisations:

tio
ARTC Pacific National Queensland Rail

a
TfNSW ASA PTA SA PTA WA

fic
Brookfield Rail Aurizon Rio Tinto

s si
The Standard was approved by the Development Group and the Infrastructure Standing Committee on December,

la
2016. On January 30, 2017 the RISSB Board approved the Standard for release.
This standard was issued for public consultation and was independently validated before being approved.

C
Development of the Standard was undertaken in accordance with RISSB’s accredited process. As part of the
approval process, the Standing Committee verified that proper process was followed in developing the Standard.

w ck
RISSB wishes to acknowledge the positive contribution of subject matter experts in the development of this Standard.
Their efforts ranged from membership of the Development Group through to individuals providing comment on a draft
ie ra
of the Standard during the open review.
I commend this Standard to the Australasian rail industry as it represents industry good practice and has been
ev - T

developed through a rigorous process.

Pr e
ur
ct
ru
st

Paul Daly
fra

Chief Executive Officer

Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board
In
ay

Keeping Standards up-to-date

lw

Australian Standards developed by RISSB are living documents that reflect progress in science, technology and
systems. To maintain their currency, Australian Standards developed by RISSB are periodically reviewed, and new
ai

editions published when required. Between editions, amendments could be issued. Australian Standards developed
by RISSB could also be withdrawn.
R

It is important that readers assure themselves they are using a current Australian Standard developed by RISSB,
which should include any amendments that have been issued since the Standard was published. Information about
Australian Standards developed by RISSB, including amendments, can be found by visiting www.rissb.com.au.
RISSB welcomes suggestions for improvements, and asks readers to notify us immediately of any apparent
inaccuracies or ambiguities. Members are encouraged to use the change request feature of the RISSB website at:
http://www.rissb.com.au/products/. Otherwise, please contact us via email at info@rissb.com.au or write to Rail
Industry Safety and Standards Board, PO Box 518 Spring Hill Qld 4004, Australia.

RISSB ABN 58 105 001 465 Page 1

Accredited Standards Development Organisation
 AS 7630:2017
Railway Infrastructure – Track
Classification

n
AS 7630:2017

a tio
fic
Railway Infrastructure – Track Classification

s si
la
C
w ck
Document details
First published as: AS 7630:2010 Rail Infrastructure Track Classification
ie ra
ISBN 978-1-76035-690-3
ev - T

Published by SAI Global Limited under licence from the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board,
PO Box 518 Spring Hill Qld 4004, Australia
Pr e
ur

Copyright
ct

© RISSB
ru

All rights are reserved. No part of this work can be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of RISSB, unless otherwise permitted under the
st

Copyright Act 1968.

fra
In
ay
lw

Notice to users
This RISSB product has been developed using input from rail experts from across the rail industry and represents
ai

good practice for the industry. The reliance upon or manner of use of this RISSB product is the sole responsibility of
the user who is to assess whether it meets their organisation’s operational environment and risk profile.
R

RISSB ABN 58 105 001 465 Page 2

Accredited Standards Development Organisation
 AS 7630:2017
Railway Infrastructure – Track
Classification

Document control

n
Document identification

tio
Designation / Title

a
AS 7630:2017 Railway Infrastructure – Track Classification

fic
si
Document history

s
Publication Version Effective Date Reason for and Extent of Change(s)

la
2017 January 30, 2017 Standard review and re-issued (new format, Inclusion of

C
“P” Forces).

2010 March 17, 2010 Version AS 7630:2010 (first publication)

w ck
ie ra
Approval
ev - T

Name Date

Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board 30/01/2017

Pr e
ur
ct
ru
st
fra
In
ay
lw
ai
R

RISSB ABN 58 105 001 465 Page 3

Accredited Standards Development Organisation
 AS 7630:2017
Railway Infrastructure – Track
Classification

Contents

n
1 Introduction......................................................................................................................5

tio
1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................5
1.2 Scope ................................................................................................................5

a
1.3 Compliance........................................................................................................5

fic
1.4 Referenced documents .....................................................................................5
1.4.1 Informative references .......................................................................................5

si
1.5 Definitions ..........................................................................................................6

s
2 Track classification ..........................................................................................................6

la
3 P forces ...........................................................................................................................8

C
3.1 P2 Force Limits..................................................................................................8
3.2 Calculation of P2 Force .....................................................................................9
3.3
w ck
P/D ratio...........................................................................................................10
ie ra
3.4 Wheel Diameter ...............................................................................................10
ev - T
Pr e
ur
ct
ru
st
fra
In
ay
lw
ai
R

RISSB ABN 58 105 001 465 Page 4

Accredited Standards Development Organisation
 AS 7630:2017
Railway Infrastructure – Track
Classification

1 Introduction

n
1.1 Purpose

tio
This Standard describes the Railway Track Classification system.

a
The main purpose of this Standard is to establish track classification with functional and
performance requirements, specific characteristics and limitations for the various track

fic
classifications.

si
1.2 Scope

s
la
This Standard applies to all Railway networks in Australia.
This Standard covers existing, upgraded and new main line railway tracks.

C
This Standard covers all heavy rail freight passenger networks over 600 mm track gauge and

w ck
heritage and tourist railways.
This Standard is the lead standard for track.
ie ra
ev - T
1.3 Compliance
There are two types of control contained within Australian Standards developed by RISSB:
(a) Requirements.
Pr e
ur

(b) Recommendations.
Requirements – it is mandatory to follow all requirements to claim full compliance with the
ct

Standard.
ru

Requirements are identified within the text by the term ‘shall’.

Recommendations – do not mention or exclude other possibilities but do offer the one that is
st

preferred.
fra

Recommendations are identified within the text by the term ‘should’.

Recommendations recognise that there could be limitations to the universal application of the
In

control, i.e. the identified control cannot be able to be applied or other controls can be
appropriate / better.
ay

For compliance purposes, where a recommended control is not applied as written in the
standard it could be incumbent on the adopter of the standard to demonstrate their actual
lw

method of controlling the risk as part of their WHS or Rail Safety National Law obligations.
Similarly, it could also be incumbent on an adopter of the standard to demonstrate their method
ai

of controlling the risk to contracting entities, or interfacing organisations where the risk may be
R

shared.
Controls in RISSB standards address known railway hazards as included in an appendix.

1.4 Referenced documents

1.4.1 Informative references
The following referenced documents are used by this Standard for information only:
(a) AS 4292.1 - Railway Safety Management - Part 1 "General".

RISSB ABN 58 105 001 465 Page 5

Accredited Standards Development Organisation