Document Number: NIST-2617

STANDARD Date of Issue: 14/07/2015

Revision Number: 3

Transit Space Clearances

1. PURPOSE
This Standard specifies Clearance Standards and defines the requirements for ensuring
adequate train/train and train/structure clearances for existing structures, upgraded track
and new works

2. SCOPE
The Standard applies to all infrastructure managed by V/Line, Infrastructure under the
Regional Infrastructure Lease (RIL).

3. HISTORY
NIPR-2617 Revision 01 replaced Freight Australia Document Number 2617 Revision 2.0
– Transit Space Clearance. Revision 02, added the critical clearance limit and
expendable items. Revision or renumber NIPR-2617, Transit Space Clearances, as a
standard; and added fixed datum points for substandard clearances. This revision details
control measure for substandard clearances.
VRIOGS 0001, Structural Gauge Envelopes – Minimum clearances for Infrastructure
adjacent to the Railway, (NIST-0001) replaces:
 Freight Australia Drawing 01/04 – Clearance Diagram for New Construction of
Bridges, Walls, Signals and Electrification Structures; and
 Freight Australia Drawing 03/04 – Clearance Diagram for Existing of Bridges,
Walls, Signals and Electrification Structures.

4. DEFINITIONS
Please refer to the NIMG-2600, Infrastructure Definitions and Terminology for
abbreviations and terms used in this document. Other terms used include:
Expendable Item - A feature of a rail vehicle that is outside of the reference Rolling
Stock Outline but has low consequence if struck, for example mirrors.
General Clearance Inspection Limit – Structures with an air gap of less than 300mm to
the Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline (Maximum) of approved over dimensional rolling
stock of loading.

5. STANDARD
5.1. GENERAL
In general, clearance requirements are specified in VRIOGS 0001 – Structural
Gauge Envelopes – Minimum clearances for Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway
(NIST-0001). In any variation between VRIOGS 0001 and V/Line Standards, V/Line
Standards take precedence.
This Standard applies to all broad gauge, standard gauge and dual gauge tracks.
Structure clearances are to be managed in accordance with NIPR-2705 – Inspection
and Assessment of Clearances.

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STANDARD Date of Issue: 14/07/2015
Revision Number: 3

Transit Space Clearances

5.2. ROLLING STOCK OUTLINE AND KINEMATIC ROLLING STOCK OUTLINE
SAFO-111 – Network Rolling Stock Approval Form, describes the approval process
of all Rolling Stock before it can be used on the V/Line Network.
Where the outline for any rolling stock exceeds the Unrestricted Maximum Rolling
Stock Outline, Plate A in SAFO-111 – Network Rolling Stock Approval Form, the
Railway Operator shall develop and define the Special Rolling Stock Outline and the
Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline (Maximum) applicable to such over dimensional
rolling stock for assessment prior to authorisation. Authorisation of over
dimensioned rolling stock shall not be provided without assessment against all
critical clearances including station platforms, and structures within 200mm of the
assessed Maximum Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline.
Expendable items on rolling stock may extend outside the standard approved Rolling
Stock Outline if considered acceptable to safe operation, and those items are
recorded and authorised on form SAFO-111. Any conditions and configurations for
the operation of such over dimensional rolling stock shall be recorded on the form
and translated into the Network Service Plan..
Where the authorised operation of over dimension Rolling Stock results in any
structure infringing absolute minimum clearance requirements as defined in section
5.3, the clearance infringement shall be recorded as a special hazard and managed
in accordance with NIPR-2603 “Management of Special Hazard Locations”
Authorised over dimensional rolling stock / loading and the corresponding Kinematic
Rolling Stock Outlines (Maximum) are listed in the Network Service Plan, Network
Operating Requirements.
Static Rolling Stock Outlines for Existing Infrastructure
SAFO-111 – Network Rolling Stock Approval Form, Plate A, Unrestricted Maximum
Rolling Stock Outline is applicable on rail corridors on the V/Line Victorian Network.
Kinematic Rolling Stock Outlines (Maximum)
The Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline (Maximum) or Kinematic Envelope shall be
developed from the approved Static Rolling Stock Outlines and include the following
factors:
 Maximum End Throw on the outside of curves
 Maximum Centre Throw on the inside of curves
 Design Track Cant
 Track and Rolling Stock tolerances.
The effects of, centre throw and end throw on clearances shall be determined in
accordance with .The ARTC Code of Practice for Engineering (Track & Civil) Section
7 Clearances, Appendix A.
Calculation of Maximum Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline
The Track and Rolling Stock tolerances as listed in Table 1 are applied to the rail
corridor approved Static Rolling Stock Outline.

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Transit Space Clearances

Direction Kinematic Conditions Tolerance
Lateral Track - Track Centreline  35 mm
Track - Track out of gauge + 12 mm
Track - Wear on rail + 10 mm
Rolling Stock - Lateral displacement + 44 mm
Rolling Stock - Deflection of primary + 2 mm
suspension
Rolling Stock - Wear on wheel flanges + 8 mm
Vertical Rolling Stock - Maximum vehicle bounce + 50 mm
(upwards)

Track - Track out of gauge (both upwards  12 mm

and downwards)
Rotational Track - Track cross-level  35 mm (including
applied to level
track)
Rolling Stock - For vehicles defined by the 2 about a point on
Static Rolling Stock Outlines in of SAFO- the vehicle centre
111 – Network Rolling Stock Approval line, 610 mm above
Form rail level
Rolling Stock - For vehicles defined by the 2.5 about a point on
Static Rolling Stock Outline of The Code of the vehicle centre
Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail line, 440 mm above
Network, Rolling Stock Outline F rail level
Table 1 Track and Rolling Stock Kinematic Conditions and Tolerances

The calculation of Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline is based on the application of

lateral, vertical and rotational Track and Rolling Stock tolerances applied to the
static Rolling Stock Outline in the following order:

1. The sum of Lateral Track and Rolling Stock tolerances, and maximum
centre and end throw displaces the Static Rolling Stock Outline which then
becomes an enlarged Rolling Stock Envelope.

2. The sum of Vertical Track and Rolling Stock tolerances displaces the Static
Rolling Stock Outline which then becomes an enlarged Rolling Stock
Envelope.

3. The Track cross-level error and Rolling Stock rotational tolerances rotate
the Static Rolling Stock Outline which then becomes an enlarged Rolling
Stock Envelope.

4. Rotate the enlarged Rolling Stock Envelope based on design track cant to
determine the Kinematic Rolling Stock Envelope.

Note: The tolerances listed above do not strictly apply for track adjacent to
platforms. Track adjacent to platforms is to be maintained to minimise the track

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Transit Space Clearances

faults because there is interference between maximum rolling stock kinematic
outline obtained from applying these tolerances to the approved Rolling Stock
outlines and the minimum coping clearance shown on the approved Structural
Outlines.
5.3. Structure Outline
Structure Outlines or Structural Gauge Envelopes provide for the safe passage of
approved vehicles by providing:
 A Kinematic Envelope including;
 Approved Rolling Stock Outlines
 Track and Rolling Stock tolerances
 Allowances for curvature and cant
 A minimum Air Gap of 200 mm between *
 Train to Structure (between Kinematic Rolling Stock Outlines (Max) to
Structure) **.
 Train to Train (between Kinematic Rolling Stock Outlines (Max) of
passing trains)
* Except 5.3.1 below.
** Except for platform copings.
Structure Outline for Existing Infrastructure
The Structure Outlines for existing tracks and structures on rail corridors within the
V/Line Network shall conform to VRIOGS 0001 – Structural Gauge Envelopes –
Minimum clearances for Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway, Figure 4.
This is a Critical Clearance Limit which has sections without an air gap, particularly:
 In the top corners which are generally the critical area for overhead
structures; and
 At platform copings.
Note, at platform copings there is no air gap between the Kinematic Envelope for
Plate A, Unrestricted Maximum Rolling Stock Outline and VRIOGS 0001, Figures 1
and 3 – for New or altered infrastructure adjacent to track. Where platform height
exceeds 1080 mm above rail Envelope N applies.
Structure Outline for a Corridor
The minimum Structure Outline for the corridor is the combination of;
 VRIOGS 0001, Figure 4, Structural Gauge Envelope – For Existing
Infrastructure adjacent to or in the air space over, Track; and
 Kinematic Rolling Stock Outline (Maximum) plus 200 mm where V/Line has
approved the operation of over dimensional Rolling Stock on the corridor.
Structure Outline for Track Alterations and New Work
The Structure Outlines for new and altered structures and for new and altered track
work on rail corridors within the V/Line Network shall conform to VRIOGS 0001,
Structural Gauge Envelopes – Minimum clearances for Infrastructure adjacent to the
Railway, Figures 1, 2 and 3.

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Transit Space Clearances

At platforms on mainlines where significant physical constraints do not prohibit
increasing horizontal clearance, clearances between the platform and centreline of
track are to be increased to at least 1550 mm when tamped.
5.4. SUBSTANDARD CLEARANCES
Where significant physical constraints exist that prohibit complying with VRIOGS
0001, Structural Gauge Envelopes – Minimum clearances for Infrastructure adjacent
to the Railway, Figures 1, 2, 3 or 4, Management of Change approval is required
prior to construction of the infrastructure. Where rolling stock is proposed for long
term operation on a corridor where there is an Air Gap of less than 200mm,
Management of Change approval is required to be submitted by the Rolling Stock
Operator prior to the vehicle authorisation.
Where substandard clearances are within 100 mm of the Critical Clearance Limit for
Clearance (refer NIPR-2705, Inspection and Assessment of Clearances), fixed
clearance plates must be utilised to maintain the design and as-constructed
alignment. This excludes all items intended to be close to the track (refer VRIOGS
001, Figure 3).
5.5. TRACK CONTROL MEASURES
Track control measures to control the design and as-constructed alignment at
substandard clearances and track curvature include the use of:
 Clearance Plates
 Curve Monument Plates
 Structural Clearance Signs
 Limited Clearance Signs.
The measures shall be applied as follows:
Clearance Plates
Clearance plate shall be used to control the track alignment at overbridges and
underbridges. The clearance plate is a stainless steel plate mounted permanently
on any structure face longer than 2 metres lengthwise (eg bridge abutments and
piers) with epoxy adhesive. It shall be mounted on both ends of structure face facing
towards the reference track at a vertical offset between 600 mm (under side of
clearance plate) to 1200 mm (top side of clearance plate) from the top of near rail.
Horizontal offset shall be measured from the datum mark on the plate to the nearest
gauge face of the as-constructed track alignment. Refer Appendix A – Related
Drawings for installation guidelines.
Curve Monument Plates
Curve monument plate shall be used to control the mainline track curvature under
800 metre radius and associated transition curves (applicable to all design speed)
and all mainline track curvature and associated transition curves with design speed
greater than 115 km/h. The monument plate is a stainless steel plate mounted
permanently on the top of a round cast in-situ concrete block at existing ground level
with epoxy adhesive. The centre of the concrete block face shall be located at a
horizontal offset between 2400 mm to 2800 mm from the nearest gauge face and at
a vertical offset between 600 mm to 1200 mm from the top of nearest rail. Both
offsets are measured from the same as constructed reference track to the centre of
the galvanised pipe, centrally located in the concrete block. Refer Appendix A –
Related Drawings for installation guidelines.

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Transit Space Clearances

Limited Clearance Signs
Limited clearance sign shall be erected to advise the track maintenance and
construction personnel entering a restricted clearance at structures (eg overbridges).
The limited clearance signs shall be installed at both ends of structure face
(excluding structure face of less than 2 metres lengthwise) where clearance between
track centreline and structure face is less than 2600 mm. It shall be mounted on
structure face where practical by epoxy adhesive, facing perpendicular to track
centreline at a height between 600 mm (under side of sign) to 1800 mm (top side of
sign) from top of sleeper. Refer Appendix A – Related Drawings for installation
guidelines
Structural Clearance Signs
Structural clearance sign shall be erected to warn track maintenance and
construction personnel no adjustment to track geometry is permitted. This sign shall
be used in conjunction with the limited clearance sign. The structural clearance
signs shall be installed at both ends of structure face (excluding structure face of less
than 2 metres lengthwise) where clearance between track centreline and maximum
kinematic outline is less than K.E plus 300 mm (General Clearance Inspection Limit).
Maximum kinematic outline shall include conditions of the kinematic rolling stock
outline, track cant and track curvature effects (centre and end throws). The sign
shall be mounted on the structure face where practical with epoxy adhesive, facing
perpendicular to track centreline at a height between 600 mm (under side of sign) to
1800 mm (top side of sign) from top of sleeper. Any change to clearance must be
approved by Engineer Manager – Track and Civil prior to works. Refer Appendix A –
Related Drawings for installation guidelines
5.6. FOULING POINTS
At locations of converging track centres, (eg approaching turnouts or diamonds etc),
the Fouling Point shall be positioned on both the main and secondary track where
the Swept Envelopes of the Kinematic Rolling Stock Outlines (Maximum) are
separated by an Air Gap of 200 mm.
To ensure the protection of lines at such locations against the effect of vehicle
overhang, the limiting points for track circuits shall be located at least 4m clear of the
fouling point.

6. RELATED DOCUMENTS
NIST-0001 – VRIOGS 0001 – Structural Gauge Envelopes – Minimum clearances for
Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway
NIPR-2705 – Inspection and Assessment of Clearances
SAFO-111 – Network Rolling Stock Approval Form
Network Service Plan, Network Operating Requirements
SAPR-13 – Rail Safety Management of Change
STD_C0024 – Clearance Plate
STD_C0025 – Curve Monument Plate
STD_C0026 – Curve Monument Plate, Installation Guidelines
STD_C0027 – Structural & Limited Clearance Signs

7. EXTERNAL ISSUE DOCUMENTS

The ARTC Code of Practice for Engineering (Track & Civil) Section 7 Clearances,
Appendix A.

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Transit Space Clearances

Appendix 1 – Related Drawings

A1. CLEARANCE PLATES

Figure 1.1 – Clearance Plate

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STANDARD Date of Issue: 14/07/2015
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Transit Space Clearances

A2. CURVE MONUMENT PLATE

Figure 2.1 – Curve Monument Plate

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Transit Space Clearances

Figure 2.2 – Application of Monument Plates

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Transit Space Clearances

A3. STRUCTURAL & LIMITED CLEARANCE SIGNS

Figure 3.1 – Structural & Limited Clearance Signs

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