CHIEF ENGINEERS ADVICE NOTE

SAFE NORMAL SPEEDS THROUGH TURNOUTS

L1-CHE-GDL-021 Version: 1 Effective from: 13th March 2014

1 Purpose
This advice note is to provide guidance to those involved in the design, renewal,
construction or upgrade of turnouts with regard to reducing the risk associated with reduced
diverge speeds over turnouts.

2 Background
Metro has undertaken a review of the risks associated with a train taking the diverge
movement over a turnout at the line speed for the main line. This review has assessed that
this risk is a subset of a broader set of over-speeding risks and that for the existing network
configuration Metro will manage this risk through driver training and selection. However
when a turnout is to be designed, constructed, renewed or upgraded the diverge speed of
the replacement turnout shall be appropriately matched to the required line (normal) speed
for that location.

3 The Advice
Any party undertaking turnout design, construction, renewal or upgrade shall select the
crossing angle of the replacement turnout according to the following requirements;

Turnout Crossing Angle Permitted Line (normal) speed

1:7.52 Only to be used in non main-line applications
1:8.25, 1:8.7 and 1:9 For mainline applications less than 80 km/hr
1:15 For mainline applications 80km/hr and above but less than
110km/hr
1:21 For mainline applications of 110km/hr and above

Where the existing crossing angle already satisfies the above requirements the
replacement turnout may retain that crossing angle.
Where it is not practicable to meet these crossing angle requirements a risk assessment
shall be undertaken to support a formal request to the Chief Engineer to waive these
requirements.

Approved By

Paul O’Halloran
Chief Engineer

Approving Manager: Chief Engineer Approval Date: 13/03/2014 Next Review Date: N/A
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