December 2024
General Update
KiwiRail is engaged in a multi-year transformation to reshape its business and to focus on delivering the reliable services that customers want, at competitive rates. As we configure our services to meet the changing demands of the markets we serve, our commitment to safety in all our operations across the national rail network is an absolute priority.
The first three-year RNIP (Resilient Network Improvements Programme) cycle came to a close in June 2024, with the second RNIP cycle (RNIP 2.0) now developed and currently underway. RNIP 2.0 is funded through the National Land Transport Land Programme (NLTP), which funds the majority of government led road and rail projects. This funding will provide a secure pipeline in the coming RNIP cycle, and we look forward to working with the industry to deliver on these critical projects.
KiwiRail Slope Risk Analysis Guide – C-TI-GR-4222
In June 2024, the Geotechnical Team within KiwiRail brought to life a year-long project to update the approach to assessing slope risk and align with other similar industry approaches used throughout New Zealand. The updated guideline has been published as part of the KiwiRail Standards under C-TI-GR-4222 KiwiRail Slope Risk Analysis Guide. This document can be provided on request, by contacting a member of the team at geotech@kiwirail.co.nz.
The updated approach aligns with a probability-based likelihood assessment combined with qualitative consequence criteria tailored to the rail environment, which analyses both the life-safety elements, as well as the service disruption aspects that are critical to maintaining a suitable level of service for our customers.
We are looking at rolling out some further training information in the new year, and in the meantime are keen to capture a register of those intending to use the updated tool, as well as express interest in any prospective training. If you intend to use the KiwiRail Slope Risk Guide for any KiwiRail projects we request you fill in the register, this only takes a couple minutes and enables us to contact you as more information is released. The form can be found at https://forms.office.com/r/8y3sAu3XKX or by scanning the below QR code.
Auckland Flood Recovery and Hawkes Bay Recovery Update
Following the devasting impacts of the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, the teams have been working tirelessly on both the upper North Island and Hawke’s Bay Recoveries.
The team reached a momentous milestone with the successful reopening of the North of Auckland Line (NAL). The team continue to work hard on these recovery efforts and are nearing completion on several of the larger projects.
The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance is gearing up to start construction works for damage sites between Palmerston North and Hastings over the next few months. Designs for this package are also well under way. Duty of care works are also currently being undertaken between Napier and Wairoa until a final decision for this section is made.
