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NRSS Policies
We provide access to New Zealand’s rail network, to rail operators who hold track access agreements and who meet the National Rail System Standards. The standards provide a framework for the management of safety and change within the Rail Safety System (RSS). They also meet legislative requirements and New Zealand Transport Agency’s Rail Safety Licensing and Audit Guidelines.
What the standards cover
The standards apply to all activities involving the operation of rail service vehicles on the national rail system. Standards cover:
- safety
- environment
- mechanical engineering
- rail operations
- incident and occurred reporting
- auditing standards (audits are conducted by the New Zealand Transport Agency and its selected service provider)
National Rail System Executive
The standards are developed by the National Rail System Executive, a body of representatives from KiwiRail (also secretary and administrator), Veolia Transport Auckland Ltd, and other organisations.
The standards are reviewed and updated from time to time. If you find any inaccuracy please report it
immediately to KiwiRail ++64 4 495 3000.
Latest version of the National Rail System Standards are detailed below.
Standards
NRSS 1 - Definitions (Issue 3, Effective Date 20-11-2011) - Click here
NRSS 1 will help people applying for access to rail land and creates standard terms for use in the rail industry, to reduce confusion. It contains a glossary of terms used in the National Rail System Standards.
NRSS 2 - Safety Management (Issue 3, Effective Date 20-11-2011) - Click here
NRSS 2 creates a framework for safety and change with minimum requirements for access providers and rail operators on New Zealand's rail network. It contains safety standards, practices and procedures for operating safely on the national rail system.
NRSS 3 - Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers (Issue 1, Effective Date 18-11-2010) - Click here
NRSS 3 provides a framework for the management of health assessment of rail safety workers on the National Rail System. It contains procedures for conducting health assessments and the medical criteria for judging fitness for rail safety duty, and it provides practical guidance to assist rail organisations to perform health risk assessments of its rail safety workers.
NRSS 4 - Risk Management (Issue 2, Effective Date 11-06-2007) - Click here
NRSS 4 has guidelines for risk handling in each organisation's rail system. It contains information on risk management in terms of occupational, operational and engineering, responsibilities, documentation and associated change.
NRSS 5 - Occurrence Management (Issue 4, 04-04-2012) - Click here
NRSS 5 creates an environment that continuously improves operating processes. It contains primary
procedures and responsibilities for dealing with rail based occurrences such as accidents.
NRSS 6 - Engineering Interoperability Standards (Issue 3, Effective Date 26-04-2010) - Click here
NRSS 6 outlines what is needed to ensure a safe and effective interface with the national rail network. It
contains design and maintenance features and characteristics that operators' rail vehicles require.
NRSS 7 - Rail Operations Interoperability (Issue 2, Effective Date 11-06-2007) - Click here
NRSS 7 contains high level requirements for the safe operation of rail vehicles by operators and other parties with other rail users. Heritage operators should also see NRSS/11.
NRSS 8 - Document Control (Issue 3, Effective Date 20-11-2011) - Click here
NRSS 8 establishes controls to ensure clear, accurate and relevant information is provided in a timely manner. It contains requirements for controlled documentation for the national safety standards.
NRSS 9 - Audit (Issue 3, Effective Date 20-11-2011) - Click here
NRSS 9 creates a generic guide to policy requirements for access providers and operators. It contains
definitions and methodology for management system auditing as defined within the rail safety system.
NRSS 10 - Crisis Management Procedures (Issue 4, Effective Date 04-04-2012) - Click here
NRSS 10 helps the organisation(s) involved to resolve a crisis. It contains guidance for developing individual and joint crisis management plans.
NRSS 11 - Heritage Vehicle and Train Management (Issue 1, Effective Date 11-06-2007) - Click here
NRSS 11 contains standards for the registration and operation of heritage vehicles, expectations and requirements for heritage operators using the national rail system.
Amendments to NRSS Standards
- Bulletin 0982 NRSS register and amendments - Click here
- Bulletin 0582 Towing of non registered rail vehicles on the National Rail System - Click here