Conference Day One: Tuesday, 30 April 2019
8:30 am - 9:00 am CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE
9:00 am - 9:10 am Opening Remarks by IQPC and the Conference Chair
INLAND RAIL UPDATE
9:10 am - 9:50 am Inland Rail Update
With P2N underway and N2NS expected to start construction in 2019, completion of the Feasibility Designs and EIS for the remaining brownfield and greenfield corridors between 2019 – 2021 are critical for Inland Rail’s timeline. This ARTC Executive Update will explore the priorities underway to ensure construction and operations of the Inland Rail remain on track, and the lessons already learned from the P2N section that can be applied for the remaining corridors.
OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS FOR SUPPLY CHAINS
9:50 am - 10:30 am Case Study from the Port of Melbourne
Port of Melbourne will discuss their sustainable port freight rail solution that will compliment the Inland Rail and the benefits it will bring for supply chains. In this session, hear about the creation of the rail access strategy and the distribution from ports to metropolitan regions in order to identify the areas that will increase network capacity for logistics and supply chains.
10:30 am - 11:00 am Panel Discussion: Future Customers – Analysing the Combination of Transport Routes and Modes to Increase Supply Chain Capacity
- Exploring the long term benefits of rail: What ways will the routes and intermodal capabilities benefit the volume and capacity of freight task to grow future operations?
- Moving beyond just transporting products: How the Inland Rail will allow users to assist their suppliers, regional markets and export business
- How users benefit from the early days of construction: Working with stakeholders to determine future strategies for terminal development, sites and changes to potential operations to prepare for when the project is ready
11:00 am - 11:30 am Speed Networking Session
An effective structured interactive session designed to help expand your network through one-to-one focused conversations. Bring your business cards!
11:30 am - 12:00 pm MORNING TEA AND NETWORKING BREAK
12:00 pm - 12:40 pm Geotechnical Challenges and Sustainable R&D Solutions in Track Design, Construction and Maintenance
There are significant engineering challenges in design, construction and maintenance when tracks are built on low-lying and coastal areas. With increasing numbers of rail projects are planned to be constructed in coming years (e.g. Inland Rail) which will involve 14000 tonnes of steel and a rigorous process for efficient construction that will shed light on the remaining process. In preparation for this, rail owners should adopt innovative and effective methods to improve serviceability and effectiveness, and reduce maintenance and construction costs of rail tracks. This session will address the importance of adopting sustainable solutions in track design, construction and maintenance of resilient tracks catering for heavy freight trains in various ground conditions, including:
- An overview of typical Australian track problems across various passenger, freight and heavy haul to analyse track damages and develop resilience techniques to ensure long term protection of the corridors
- Preserving dedicated corridors which could link to the Inland Rail as a long term necessity to improve the efficiency of future supply chains
- The implications for Inland Rail and freight networks: Optimum heavy haul track design approaches (i.e. testing and computational modelling rigor) for improved track longevity and faster speeds
- State-of-the art geotechnical laboratories at the CGRE including series of large-scales testing facilities for ballasted tracks and iconic national facility for cyclic testing of highspeed rail (ARC-LIEF) recently constructed at the Russell Vale
Stream Chair:
Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna
Director, Centre for Geomechanics and Railway EngineeringUniversity of Wollongong
12:40 pm - 1:20 pm Communication and Engagement Strategy on Infrastructure Projects – How the Game is Changing
Now more than ever customers and communities are playing an important role in how infrastructure projects are being delivered. We now know the financial cost of ineffective engagement which, in the billions, is too high to ignore. But over the past five years, we’ve seen and continue to see rapid changes in the needs and expectations of communities and stakeholders when it comes to projects that impact not only them, but the generations to come. Using real project examples, we’ll take a look at the benefits of engaging early and what it really means to develop an effective communication strategy that engages all project stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for your project.
- Traditional Engagement vs New Age methods (Why the change? Do we always have to do digital now? How do you know the right ‘mix’ to use on your project?)
- Timing of Engagement – current and emerging trends (clients are bringing in stakeholder engagement earlier in the process than ever before; co-creation is on the rise – what does this mean?)
- Using this knowledge – how can we effectively develop and plan communication and management strategies for our project and external stakeholders?
1:20 pm - 2:20 pm NETWORKING LUNCH
2:20 pm - 3:00 pm Case Study: How VicRoads Assists with Technical Design of Bridge Structures to Accommodate Road and Rail Networks
In Victoria, the Inland Rail will potentially impact 30 bridges along VicRoads’ network. This includes the expectation of six new bridge replacements and 24 bridges with track lowering. As such, VicRoads’ is playing an important role as a stakeholder for this project, offering technical design solutions and assisting the ARTC in the planning stage to ensure the best outcome possible for both the bridges and road networks, and the safe construction and operability of the Inland Rail.
- Developing strong relationships and engagement with various internal and external stakeholders including legal, state government and the ARTC on the planning, project development and impact on VicRoads structures
- Design that matters in the planning phase: Assuming the role of SMEs to deliver advice and input on i) the proposed design and technical solutions, and ii) the safety and constructability of the infrastructure
- Taking into consideration bridge and road infrastructure and the impact it will have on bridge replacements and track lowering designs to accommodate rail infrastructure
Dr Hani Nahlawi
Senior Project Integration Engineer, Relationship Manager – Inland RailVicRoads
3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Case Study: Ventilation, Fire and Life Safety: System Requirements in Challenging Tunnel Designs for Diesel Freight Operations
- Having very limited precedence to follow the tunnel design has had to establish the ventilation, electrical and control system requirements to allow high power diesel locomotives with 1.8km double stacked freight through long tunnels at high grades while preventing overheating.
- Identifying the systems and equipment that accommodate a fire and life safety strategy that can reduce risks to drivers and passengers.
- Working closely with utility providers, operators and fire and emergency services to establish a plan for intervening during incident or emergency in tunnel the tunnel environment.
3:40 pm - 4:10 pm AFTERNOON TEA AND NETWORKING BREAK
4:10 pm - 4:50 pm HS2: More Than a Railway
HS2 is the most important economic regeneration project in Britain seen for decades. The new high speed railway will connect 8 out of 10 of the UK’s largest cities and economic hubs. It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe. It will increase opportunities for work and help grow the economy. Realising the transformative potential of HS2 requires planning and delivery across many disciplines – including skills.
Skills, employment and education is one of the seven strategic goals of HS2 and is critical in achieving the vision of HS2 being a ‘catalyst for growth across Britain’ and a leaving a legacy of a highly-skilled and diverse workforce for the industry. Through delivery of its Skills, Employment and Education Strategy and HS2 aims to meet its objectives of:
- Having the skills to deliver the HS2 Programme and leave a skills legacy for the transport infrastructure sector and the wider UK economy
- Creating sustainable skills, employment and education opportunities in HS2 Ltd’s supply chain through the use of procurement levers
- Stimulating interest in STEM subjects to encourage more young people into transport infrastructure related careers
- Working in partnership with stakeholders and industry as they maximise the economic and regeneration benefits of the HS2 Programme locally along the line of the route and across the UK
Champagne Roundtable Discussions
This is your chance to make your conference experience truly interactive and collaborative. Grab a glass of wine, beer or soft drink and join your industry peers to discuss and work through pressing challenges around the topic of your choice. Each round will last 20 minutes, giving you the chance to rotate and discuss two topics.
Topic One
4:50 pm - 5:30 pm Project Financing and Investment for Major Rail Infrastructure: What Can Australia Learn from International Trends?
Topic Two
4:50 pm - 5:30 pm Understanding the Responsibilities of Stakeholders in the Construction and Operation of the Inland Rail
Rebecca Pickering
Director, Engagement, Environment & Property, Inland RailAustralian Rail Track Corporation
