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The Annual Rail Safety Conference (ARSC) is a forum that brings together rail industry professionals in Southern Africa to exchange rail information and provide experiences and lessons for improving railway safety. The ARSC makes a crucial contribution to the continued development of safety and performance in the railway industry as a platform where thought leaders share experiences, ideas, information, knowledge, and challenges surrounding the safety of communities near railway properties, improvements in safety management, performance approaches, systems, and technological innovations for the continued improvement of safe railway operations.
The ARSC is a platform that ignites the collision of people, ideas, strategies, and partnerships that transform the rail industry. The annual meeting attracts 250 delegates ranging from rail operators, manufacturers, innovators, transportation service providers, and stakeholders in rail-related subsectors such as mining, freight services, as well as academic institutions.
The insightful exhibition that runs concurrent to the plenary sessions of the conference, attracts around 20 organisations that showcase various rail services and innovations.
Sponsors
Previous Sponsors
| Time | Function / Topic | Facilitator | Venue / Organization | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | 14:00 | Steam Train Ride from Cape Town Harbour to Elgin Railway Market | Conference Secretariat | Cape Town Harbour to Elgin Railway Market |
| 14:00 | 16:30 | Lunch at Elgin Railway Market | Elgin Railway Market | |
| 16:30 | 17:00 | Return to Hotels on Bus Shuttles | ||
Moderator: Mr Cyrus Rodgers
| Time | Event | Responsible Person(s) | Organisation | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 16:30 | Welcome Congress Desk for Accreditation and Control Areas Information Point for Attendees |
Conference Secretariat | Railway Safety Regulator | Foyer |
| 08:00 | 08:30 | Exhibitions Tea/Coffee and Refreshments |
All | All | Exhibition Hall |
| 08:30 | 08:35 | Conference Commencement | Cyrus Rogers | ARSC2024 Conference Moderator | Plenary |
| 08:35 | 08:45 | Welcoming Address by host of the ARSC2024 | Mmuso Selaledi | Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of Railway Safety Regulator | Plenary |
| 08:45 | 08:50 | Introduction of MEC Transport and Logistics, Gauteng Provincial Government | Ms Nompumelelo Ekeke | Chairperson, RSR Board | Plenary |
| 08:50 | 09:05 | Opening Address | Ms Kedibone Diale-Tlabela | MEC Transport and Logistics, Gauteng Provincial Government |
Plenary |
| 09:05 | 09:25 | Platinum Sponsorship Presentation | Hishaam Emeran | Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), SOUTH AFRICA | Plenary |
| 09:25 | 09:45 | Keynote Speech # 1: Comprehensive Safety Management Systems used as a basis for Railway Infrastructure Development funding View Presentation |
Mr Zerfu Tessema Mammo | Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Dr Natalie Skeepers
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presentor(s) | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:45 | 10:05 | Presentation 1-1: Impact of Prolonged Abnormal Railway Conditions on Employees’ Wellbeing View Presentation |
Gcobisa Tshaya | Glasgow Caledonian University, UNITED KINGDOM | Europe |
| 10:05 | 10:25 | Presentation 1-2: Case study – Factors affecting decision-making for track safety management View Presentation |
Deepak Budhram | Railway Safety Regulator Research & Technical Skills Development, Waterfall City, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 10:25 | 10:45 | Presentation 1-3: Steering Safety on the Right Track: Harnessing Human Factors in Railways View Presentation |
Mabu Molele | South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 10:45 | 11:05 | Discussion – Q and A Voting |
All | ||
| 11:05 | 11:25 | Official Opening of Exhibition Morning Tea and Coffee / Exhibitions |
|||
| 11:25 | 11:45 | Keynote Speech # 2: How best to be an Infrastructure Manager View Presentation |
David Jilka | The Regulatory, European and International Affairs Directorate, Etablissement Public de Sécurité Ferroviaire (EPSF) FRANCE | Europe |
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Dr Lubinda Sakanga
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presentor(s) | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:45 | 12:05 | Presentation 2-1: Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Electric Locomotives: Integrating Solar Photovoltaic Technology for Sustainable Rail Transport View Presentation |
Adrian Chinnarajulu | Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) Electrical Infrastructure Maintenance, Vryheid SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 12:05 | 12:25 | Presentation 2-2: PRASA Train Control System EMU Pilot based on European Train Control System (ETCS Level 2) View Presentation |
Athanacious Sebolla Makgamatha | Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 12:25 | 12:45 | Discussion – Q and A Voting |
All | ||
| 12:45 | 13:00 | Gold Sponsorship Presentation # 1 | Tshepo Kgobe | Gautrain Management Agency, SOUTH AFRICA | Plenary |
| 13:00 | 14:00 | Lunch / Exhibitions | |||
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Mesela Nhlapo
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presentor(s) | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | 14:25 | Presentation 3-1: Analysis of community Engagement and Stakeholder collaboration in Rail Infrastructure Projects critical to the growth of the economy in South Africa View Presentation |
Adv. Vhudzisani Maringa | Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 14:20 | 14:40 | Presentation 3-2: A focus on Railway Safety Critical Grades for improved Railway Safety Performance View Presentation |
Reginald Ntshingila | Railway Safety Regulator Safety Management – Regulatory Development, Waterfall City, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 14:40 | 15:00 | Presentation 3-3: Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration View Presentation |
Stanley Mkoko | Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 15:00 | 15:20 | Presentation 3-4: Context and development of the Railway Safety Inspector qualification View Presentation |
Dr Willen Sprong | Chair in Railway Safety, University of Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 15:20 | 15:40 | Presentation 3-5: An assessment of the applicability and efficiency of the OCC competency development techniques for change adaptation View Presentation |
Hilda Christina Shange-Venter | Glasgow Caledonian University, UNITED KINGDOM | Africa |
| 15:40 | 16:00 | Presentation 3-6: Determining Routes and Developing Railway Lines in Gauteng View Presentation |
Victor Shange | Gautrain Management Agency, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 16:00 | 16:20 | Q and A Discussion Day 1 Voting |
All | ||
| Time | Event | Presenter(s) | Organisation | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | 17:30 | Welcome Congress Desk for Accreditation and Control Areas Information Point for Attendees |
Conference Secretariat | Railway Safety Regulator | Foyer |
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Prof. Hannes Gräbe
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presenter | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 08:45 | Exhibitions Tea/Coffee and Refreshments |
All | All | Exhibition Hall |
| 08:45 | 09:00 | Silver Sponsorship Presentation #1 | Vuyiswa Tlomatsane | Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, SOUTH AFRICA | Plenary |
| 09:00 | 09:20 | Keynote Speech # 3: Funding of Open Access View Presentation |
Adj. Prof. Dr Andreas Giuricin | CEO TRA Consulting, ITALY | Plenary |
| 09:20 | 09:40 | Presentation 4-1: Leveraging innovative technology to criminal attacks on railway infrastructure | Dr Willem Sprong | Chair in Railway Safety, University of Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 09:40 | 10:00 | Presentation 4-2: Steering Safety on the Right Track View Presentation |
Mongezi Sibiya Fhatuwane Tshiovhe Devendran Govender |
Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Prof. Hannes Gräbe
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presenter | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | 10:20 | Presentation 4-3: Using Innovative Track Monitoring and Condition Diagnostics to Enhance Rail Safety Management in South Africa View Presentation |
C Kunneke Kent Gibbon GC Doubell |
HisWay Labs (Pty) Ltd., Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 10:20 | 10:40 | Presentation 4-4: The safe digitalisation of railways – Focus on low density mixed traffic lines View Presentation |
Fabrizio Burro1 A Mascis1 L Lochman1 T Mokaila2 1Wabtec Corporation, Avellino, ITALY |
2 Wabtec Corporation, Waterfall City, SOUTH AFRICA Europe |
Africa |
| 10:40 | 11:00 | Q and A Discussion | All | ||
| 11:00 | 11:20 | Morning Tea and Coffee / Exhibition | |||
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Adj, prof. Dr Andrea Giuricin
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presenter | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:20 | 11:40 | Silver Sponsorship Presentation # 2 | Anand Moodliar | Barberry Broup (Pty) Ltd, SOUTH AFRICA | Plenary |
| 11:40 | 12:00 | Presentation 5-1: Leveraging Predictive Analytics, Real-Time Monitoring, and Automated Risk Profiling for Enhanced Operational Safety | Nelisiwe Tembe | Transnet Freight Rail, Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 12:00 | 12:20 | Presentation 5-2: The value of Rail SMS to regional railway efficiency and service delivery View Presentation |
Dr Lubinda Sakanga | Southern African Railways Association (SARA) | Africa |
| 12:20 | 12:40 | Presentation 5-3: An Investigation of the Integration of Technological Solutions into The Safety Management System of Transnet to Curb Railway Incidents View Presentation |
Tobiyise Dhlamini | Transnet SOC Limited (TFR), Ermelo, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 12:40 | 13:00 | Q and A Discussion | All | ||
| 13:00 | 14:00 | Lunch / Exhibits | |||
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Reginald Ntshingila
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presenter | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | 14:20 | Presentation 6-1: The Impact That Safety Culture Has On Human Factors And Safety Performance View Presentation |
Dr Natalie Skeepers | Global Safety Resources cc Johannesburg, Gauteng, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 14:20 | 14:40 | Presentation 6-2: Advancing Railway Safety: Embedding Safety Culture as a Way of Life View Presentation |
Uhone F Sikhwama | Transnet SOC Limited (TFR), Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 14:40 | 15:00 | Presentation 6-3: Ensuring that Railway Safety Culture is a Gibela Way of Life View Presentation Part 1 View Presentation Part 2 |
Bennie de Ru | Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 15:00 | 15:20 | Q and A Discussion | All | ||
Conference Moderator: Cyrus Rogers (ARSC2024 Conference Moderator)
Session Chair: Xoliswa Njokweni-Mlotywa
Venue: Plenary
| Time | Event | Presenter | Organisation | Region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:20 | 15:40 | Presentation 7-1: Mitigating train/wildlife collisions through digital technologies and data analytics View Presentation |
Prof. Hannes Gräbe | Chair in Railway Safety, University of Pretoria, Department of Civil Engineering, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 15:40 | 16:00 | Presentation 7-2: Proactive Climate Change Strategies for Railway Companies in South Africa and Africa: Beyond Risk Management View Presentation |
Bonginkosi Masuku | Transnet Freight Rail, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA | Africa |
| 16:00 | 16:20 | Q and A Discussion Day 2 Voting |
All | ||
| 16:20 | 17:20 | Day 2 Panel Discussion Efforts towards establishing an Infrastructure Manager and Open Access in South Africa |
Panel Moderator: Phillippa Dean Panel: Mmuso Selaledi – CEO, Railway Safety Regulator Russell Baatjies – CEO, Transnet Freight Rail Tshepo Kgobe – CEO, Gautrain Management Agency Hishaam Emeran – GCEO, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa Ngwako Makaepea – DDG, Department of Transport David Jilka – Etablissement Public de Sécurité Ferroviaire (EPSF) |
||
| Closing Speech | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:20 | 17:30 | Vote of Thanks from RSR Board | Mr Sisa Lunga Mtwa | Deputy Chairperson, RSR Board | Plenary |
Venue: Hazendal Wine Estate
| Time | Event | Presentor(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 | 20:00 | Welcome Cocktails Opening by Master of Ceremony Dress Code: Business/Evening Attire for Men, Cocktail Evening Dress for Women |
Cyrus Rogers |
| 20:00 | Transfer from Hazendal Wine Estate back to Hotels | ||
Start time: 09h00 – End time: 14h30
| Time | Activity Description | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:20 | Arrival & Registration of delegates | PRASA/RSR |
| 09:25 – 09:40 | Opening & Welcoming | RSR |
| 09:45 – 09:50 | Safety Briefing | Acting Train Ops Manager – Chris Sias |
| Group 1: 10:00 – 10:30 Group 2: 10:30 – 11:00 Group 3: 11:00 – 11:30 Group 4: 11:30 – 12:00 |
Tour of the PRASA Innovation Centre (Group 1, 2, 3 & 4) | Simulator Tour Management |
| Group 1: 10:30 – 11:15 Group 2: 11:15 – 12:00 Group 3: 12:00 – 12:45 Group 4: 12:45 – 13:30 |
EMU Train Simulator Tour (Group 1, 2, 3 & 4) | Simulator Tour Management |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Refreshments served | |
| ENDS |
Start time: 07h30 – End time: 14h35
| Time | Activity Description | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 07h30 – 09h30 | Travel from Cape Town to Saldanha | RSR |
| 09h30 – 09h45 | Arrival in Saldanha Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) Technical Hall | All |
| 09h45 – 10h00 | Welcome address | Transnet Freight Rail: Andiswa Dlanga |
| 10h00 – 10h10 | Safety Briefing | Transnet Port Terminals: Werner Labuschagne |
| 10h10 – 10h45 | Operational Overview of Transnet –Sishen to Saldanha | Transnet Freight Rail: Keitheng Adeolu Transnet Port Terminals: Louis du Toit |
| 10h45 – 11h05 | Safety Induction for Terminal and Rail Tour | Transnet Port Terminals: Werner Labuschagne Transnet Freight Rail: Bheki Mtoba |
| 11h05 – 11h15 | Delegation grouping for technical tours
|
RSR |
| 11h15 – 13h35 |
|
Transnet Port Terminals, Saldanha Terminals: Nomvana Marwanqana, Gregory Abrahams, Ebrahim Jacobs, Bruce Jordaan Transnet Freight Rail: Leane Luus, Jerome Gouws and Tshamaano Mulaudzi Transnet Freight Rail: Keitheng Adeolu |
| 13h35 – 14h35 | Lunch & Networking | All |
| 15h00 | Departure |
We invite you to submit abstracts for the upcoming Annual Rail Safety Conference. This is an excellent opportunity to share your research, innovations, and insights with industry professionals and experts. With seven sub-themes to choose from, we encourage submissions that explore various aspects of rail safety, from technological advancements to operational best practices.
Bottelary Road
New entrance from Ronelle Street via, Kruis St
Stellenbosch
Western Cape
Participating the ARSC exhibition will give your company exposure to railway stakeholders from across Africa. Stakeholders from large and small rail operators, rail subsectors and academic institutions will be there.
