In the wake of recent flood events that have disrupted rail corridors across Australia, building a more resilient rail network has become an urgent priority for the industry.
To address this, the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) has developed and recently released the updated AS 7637 Hydrology and Hydraulics standard, aimed at helping the industry to build resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding these growing challenges. It is already helping inform management of flood risk for one Australia’s largest Rail Infrastructure Managers (RIMs).
“This revised standard has undergone a comprehensive restructure, placing a stronger emphasis on design requirements, inspection, and monitoring,” said Jodie Matheson, Standards Development Manager at RISSB.
“It specifies the requirements for adequate planning and design in an environment of increasingly extreme weather events, and the development of a Flood Management Plan and Emergency Response Plan to mitigate flood risk to railway infrastructure, rail traffic and personnel.
“The flood risk assessment process outlined in the standard addresses the tolerability of the existing flood risks, identifies current and potential future flood hazard locations, and considers their cultural and social impact.”
The growing impacts of extreme weather
Extreme weather events have already proven to be a significant threat to Australia’s rail infrastructure and disruptions caused by flood events highlight the need for robust solutions to safeguard the reliability and safety of the rail network.
Learnings from incidents such as the Charters Towers derailment in 2020 and damage to the Transcontinental Rail Line in 2022 underscore the importance of proactive infrastructure design and effective risk management to minimise the impact of such events on rail operations.
With the increasing likelihood of more extreme weather conditions, AS 7637 offers essential tools to help the rail sector not only withstand these challenges but also enhance operational safety and infrastructure reliability. The standard outlines how RIMs can integrate resilience into the design of both new and upgraded railway infrastructure, ensuring greater preparedness for future flood risks.
Collaboration for a more resilient future
The development of AS 7637 reflects a collaborative effort from industry stakeholders, who participated in the RISSB product development group. This approach ensures the standard meets the needs of the Australian rail sector while aligning with national and international best practices in resilience.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Adrian Hudson, winner of the 2025 RISSB Development Group Member of the Year award, was an integral part of this update.
“It was a privilege to be involved in the development of such an important standard at a time when resilient railway infrastructure has never been more important to ensure the continuity of freight in a changing environment,” he said.
Clinton Crump, Group Executive Operations at ARTC, said that as the RIM of one of Australia’s largest rail networks – with 9600 kilometres of operating railway across five states – ARTC is acutely aware of the challenges facing the industry due to extreme weather events.
“We’re proud to share our knowledge and expertise in the development of this Standard and to play a leading role in making Australia’s rail industry more resilient, safe, and productive,” he said.
Updates for greater clarity and practical use
The update to AS 7637 comes after a thorough review process aimed at aligning the standard with the specific needs of the Australian rail sector.
“ARTC helped to shape the RISSB standard, which has informed ARTC’s management of flood risk to improve our operations and, critically, the Network Investment Program – a $1 billion resilience-building partnership with the Australian Government, which includes significant scope targeted at improving flood resilience and immunity in critical areas of the network,” Crump said.
Supported by a detailed hydrology assessment, these projects are now underway, focusing on the key rail corridors of the East-West and Albury-Sydney, to strengthen the network, improve its resilience and reliability and ultimately secure the future of freight in Australia.
Benefits of adopting AS 7637
By adopting AS 7637, RIMs and rail industry proponents can realise both direct and indirect benefits.
The implementation of this standard will help mitigate the risk of infrastructure damage and loss of life during extreme weather events. The safety of rail operations will be enhanced by more effective flood and emergency management plans.
The resilience of the rail network will improve, reducing disruptions caused by extreme weather. This leads to greater operational reliability, ensuring a consistent and dependable transportation system for both passengers and freight.
By proactively designing infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, the rail industry can reduce long-term maintenance costs, emergency recovery expenses, and loss of operational time.
The focus on resilient infrastructure helps reduce the environmental impact of flood events and ensures that the rail network remains sustainable and functional, even during adverse conditions.
As the Australian rail industry faces increasing climate challenges, AS 7637 Hydrology and Hydraulics will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the infrastructure and operations of the sector.
RIMs are encouraged to adopt the standard, either in full or through a tailored approach, ensuring that their infrastructure projects are resilient, safe, and capable of withstanding the growing threat of extreme weather events.
The long-term benefits of implementing this standard will not only improve safety but also contribute to a more reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable rail network.
Key features of AS 7637
The updated standard provides RIMs with the tools and criteria needed to manage flood-related risks, including:
Tailored requirements for RIMs in infrastructure design: This standard provides RIMs with more precise hydrological design criteria, ensuring that infrastructure is better equipped to withstand the effects of extreme weather, particularly flooding.
Resilience focus for future developments: AS 7637 places a strong emphasis on the resilience of future infrastructure developments, encouraging RIMs to account for potential long-term flood risks in their designs and operational plans.
Safety and cost benefits: Implementing the standard can improve safety and reduce costs. By improving infrastructure resilience, the risk of damage and disruption is reduced, leading to fewer recovery costs and a safer rail network.
