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As 7634-2017
As 7634-2017
Infrastructure Standard
AS 7634:2017
Railway Infrastructure - Survey
This Australian Standard® AS 7634 Railway Infrastructure - Survey was prepared by a Rail Industry Safety and
Standards Board (RISSB) Development Group consisting of representatives from the following organisations:
Queensland Rail Aurizon Operations Limited Pacific National
ARTC TfNSW Sydney Trains
WSP
The Standard was approved by the Development Group and the Infrastructure Standing Committee in March, 2017.
On March 23, 2017 the RISSB Board approved the Standard for release.
This standard was issued for public consultation and was independently validated before being approved.
Development of the Standard was undertaken in accordance with RISSB’s accredited process. As part of the
approval process, the Standing Committee verified that proper process was followed in developing the Standard.
RISSB wishes to acknowledge the positive contribution of subject matter experts in the development of this Standard.
Their efforts ranged from membership of the Development Group through to individuals providing comment on a draft
of the Standard during the open review.
I commend this Standard to the Australasian rail industry as it represents industry good practice and has been
developed through a rigorous process.
Paul Daly
Chief Executive Officer
Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board
AS 7634:2017
Document details
First published as: AS 7634:2017
ISBN 978-1-76035-703-0
Published by SAI Global Limited under licence from the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board,
PO Box 4271, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia
Copyright
© RISSB
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of RISSB, unless otherwise permitted under the
Copyright Act 1968.
Notice to users
This RISSB product has been developed using input from rail experts from across the rail industry and represents
good practice for the industry. The reliance upon or manner of use of this RISSB product is the sole responsibility of
the user who is to assess whether it meets their organisation’s operational environment and risk profile.
Document control
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Document history
Publication Version Effective Date Reason for and Extent of Change(s)
Approval
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Contents
1 Introduction................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Scope ............................................................................................................. 6
1.3 Compliance ..................................................................................................... 6
1.4 Referenced documents ................................................................................... 7
1.4.1 Normative references...................................................................................... 7
1.5 Definitions ....................................................................................................... 7
1.6 Abbreviations .................................................................................................. 9
2 Planning ....................................................................................................................... 9
2.1 General ........................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Competency.................................................................................................. 10
2.3 Strategy ........................................................................................................ 10
2.4 Categories of Railway Survey Systems......................................................... 10
2.4.1 National Geospatial Reference System......................................................... 10
2.4.2 Non-National Geospatial Reference System ................................................. 11
2.5 Instrumentation, Tools and Equipment .......................................................... 11
2.5.1 Specialised Tools and Equipment ................................................................. 11
2.5.2 Instrumentation ............................................................................................. 12
3 Implementation ........................................................................................................... 13
3.1 Application of the Rail Survey Control Network ............................................. 13
3.1.1 Rail Survey Control Marks ............................................................................ 13
3.1.2 Placement of Rail Survey Control Marks ....................................................... 13
3.1.3 Installation of Rail Survey Control Marks....................................................... 14
3.2 Application of the Track Control or Monument Network ................................ 15
3.2.1 Track Control Marks...................................................................................... 15
3.2.2 Placement of Track Control Marks ................................................................ 15
3.3 Survey Mark Identification Requirements ...................................................... 16
3.3.1 Coordinated Survey Networks....................................................................... 16
3.3.2 Non-Coordinated Survey Networks ............................................................... 17
4 Observations and Reporting ....................................................................................... 17
4.1 Coordinated Survey Networks....................................................................... 17
4.1.1 Observational Requirements ......................................................................... 17
4.1.2 Reporting ...................................................................................................... 18
4.1.3 Observational Deliverables ........................................................................... 18
4.2 Non-National Geospatial Reference System Survey Networks ..................... 18
4.2.1 Local or Assumed Coordinated Survey Networks ......................................... 18
4.2.2 Non-Coordinated Survey Networks ............................................................... 19
5 Data Management and Quality Assurance.................................................................. 19
5.1 Survey Data Management System................................................................ 19
Appendix Contents
Appendix A Typical Railway Surveying Tasks .................................................................. 21
Appendix B Specialised Tools and Equipment used for Railway Surveying Purposes ..... 23
Appendix C Different Types of Rail Survey Control Marks - Typical Examples ................. 24
Appendix D Examples of Track Control Marks, Monuments, Plaques, and Data Plates ... 25
1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Standard is to –
(a) specify requirements relating to the design, construction, measurement,
maintenance and monitoring of a railway survey system, to be able to support
various engineering activities undertaken within, and applicable to a modern
railway environment;
(b) achieve a standardised approach to railway engineering surveying; and
(c) provide mandatory and recommended guidance so that the rail survey system
developed is aligned with the safe operation of the railway network, in
accordance with the requirements of Rail Safety National Law.
1.2 Scope
This Standard covers surveying systems for railways as defined under AS 7630 'Railway
Infrastructure - Track Classification'.
This Standard is intended to cover railway survey systems based on –
(a) the current National Geospatial Reference Systems (NGRS) for Australia and
New Zealand; and
(b) non-NGRSs
This Standard covers railway survey system requirements and promotes current good practice.
This Standard is not specifically intended to cover urban on-street tramway, or light rail
networks, cane railways, or heritage railways operating on a private reservation, but items from
this Standard may be applied to such systems as deemed appropriate by the relevant Rail
Infrastructure Manager (RIM).
1.3 Compliance
There are two types of control contained within Australian Standards developed by RISSB:
(a) Mandatory requirements.
(b) Recommended requirements.
Each of these types of control address hazards that are deemed to require controls based on
existing Australian and International Codes of Practice and Standards.
A mandatory requirement is a requirement that the Standard provides as the only way of
treating the hazard.
Mandatory requirements are identified within the text by the term ‘shall’.
A recommended requirement is one where the Standard recognises that there are limitations to
the universal application of the requirement and that there may be circumstances where the
control cannot be applied or that other controls may be appropriate or satisfactory, subject to
agreement with the Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM), Rolling Stock Operator (RSO), and/or
Rail Safety Regulator.
Recommended clauses are mandatory unless the Rail Infrastructure Manager or Rolling Stock
Operator can demonstrate a better method of controlling the risk.
Recommended requirements are to be considered when compliance with the Standard is being
assessed.
Recommended requirements are identified within the text by the term ‘should’.
Hazards addressed by this Standard are listed on the RISSB website www.rissb.com.au
1.5 Definitions
General railway technical terms can be found in the National Guideline - Glossary of Railway
Terminology.
Specific terms used in this Standard are defined below:
Australian Height Datum (AHD): this is the geodetic datum for altitude in Australia. From
measurements taken in the late 1960s at 30 tide gauges around the mainland, and 2 tide
gauges around Tasmania, 0.000 m AHD was assigned to the mean sea level of these results.
Referred to as Australian Height Datum 1971 (AHD71) and Australian Height Datum (Tasmania)
1983 (AHD-TAS83).
Azimuth: this is the adopted meridian for a survey, based on the reference system used. This
can be determined by various means, one example being by the occupation of two marks with
known coordinates.
Best Mean Fit (BMF): this is a designed geometric alignment which minimises track slewing on
open track and as near as possible adopts the existing track alignment across timber and steel
bridges, the centre of the deck on concrete bridges and the design clearance to platforms and
other lineside structures. Best Mean Fit can refer to both horizontal and vertical centreline
design track alignments.
Datum Plate: these plates are typically fastened to structures adjacent to the track and contain
information relating to the track alignment. They have a small adjustable aluminium or plastic
block affixed to the face of the plate which acts as the reference point. As a minimum, they
should display the following information relating to this block:
Kilometrage.
Distance to the adjacent track design gauge face or centreline.
Design track superelevation.
Additional information, such as design height to low rail and track centres for example, can be
provided if required. See also Plaque.
Detail or Topographic Survey: this is a survey carried out to provide information of sufficient
accuracy and extent for the design of the railway or other infrastructure, in brown or green field
environments.
Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94): this is the current geodetic datum, first
adopted nationally across Australia on 1 January 2000. The map projection associated with
GDA94 is the Map Grid of Australia 1994 (MGA94), which conforms to the Universal Transverse
Mercator Grid coordinate system. It was the first geocentric datum compatible with modern
GNSS positioning techniques adopted within Australia. GDA94 is a plate-fixed static coordinate
datum, based on a global framework, the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 1992
(ITRF92), held at the reference epoch of 1 January 1994.
Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 (GDA2020): this is the proposed geographic coordinate
system for Australia. GDA2020 is based on a global framework, the International Terrestrial
Reference Frame (ITRF), projected to a reference date of 1 January 2020 as a conventional
plate-fixed or static datum. The shift in horizontal coordinates from GDA94 is approximately 1.8
metres.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): this is a generic term for all satellite based
positioning systems.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Heighting: This is a height (z coordinate)
determined from GNSS observations based on the national ellipsoid model. A correction must
be applied using reliable AHD-ellipsoid separation values (N values) to determine AHD values.
Map Grid of Australia (MGA): this is a metric rectangular grid. It is a Cartesian coordinate
system based on the Universal Transverse Mercator projection and the Geocentric Datum of
Australia. The unit of measure is the metre. It is important to know what epoch the MGA is
referring to as there will be differing versions due to tectonic movement. Care needs to be
exercised to nominate which epoch the published coordinates relate to (MGA94 or MGA2020).
Monument: this is a physical structure (for example, post or concrete block) defining major
points, sometimes used for track control marks. See also Survey Monument, Track Control
Mark.
National Geospatial Reference System (NGRS): this is a combination of infrastructure, data,
software and knowledge. It includes all aspects of a coordinate datum, along with tools, utilities
and the standards and guidelines that facilitate its use.
New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000): this is the current official geodetic datum for
New Zealand. It is based on the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 1996 (ITRF96), and
uses the Geodetic Reference System 1980 (GRS80). It manages slow crustal deformation
using a deformation model. It is a geocentric datum, compatible with GNSS. The unit of
measure is the metre, and it was implemented in 1998.
New Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016): this is the current official national vertical
datum for New Zealand. It is defined by the NZGeoid2016 geoid, with normal-orthometric
heights in metres. It is consistent with NZGD2000, meaning that normal-orthometric NZVD2016
heights can be transformed to ellipsoidal NZGD2000 heights, and vice versa. It was adopted on
27 June 2016.
Permanent Survey Mark, State Permanent Mark, Permanent Mark or State Survey Mark
(PSM, SPM, PM or SSM): These marks form part of the State Survey Control Network.
Permanent survey marks are unique to the State or Territory, and as such are registered in the
relevant State or Territory Survey Control Database (or register). The information registered
may include coordinates, height, access notes and other administrative information.
Plaque, survey plaque, datum plate, data plate, tag, label: these plates or plaques contain
information relating the rail survey control mark, track control mark or monument to the adjacent
track alignment. See also Datum Plate.
Rail Survey Control Network: this is the network of permanent rail survey control marks that
provide the survey framework for all engineering activities. This rail survey control network
consists of the physical marks, measurements, calculations and coordinates related to them.
Rail Survey Control Mark: these are permanent survey marks made of high quality, durable
and corrosion resistant materials, intended specifically for use in the railway environment and
installed in stable ground, solid rock, or in concrete in-situ, where the potential for disturbance is
minimised. They are uniquely identified, and located at regular intervals along a rail corridor,
providing the opportunity for connection to the adjacent State Survey Control Network if
required. Examples of these types of marks are provided in Appendix C.
State Survey Control Network: this is the network of physical permanent uniquely identified
ground marks, installed and maintained across a state or territory, which provide the realisation
of the National Geospatial Reference System (NGRS).
Survey Monument: these are physical structures defining significant points, sometimes used
as track control marks. In some jurisdictions, survey monuments comprise of a truncated
concrete cylinder with track alignment information stamped upon the top. See also, Monument,
Track Control Mark.
Track Control Mark (TCM): this is a mark specifically placed to provide a reference to the
design alignment of the track to which it relates.
1.6 Abbreviations
DBYD Dial Before You Dig
EDM Electromagnetic Distance Measurement
ICSM Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping
SSP Stainless Steel Pin
2 Planning
2.1 General
Railway survey systems shall encompass all aspects of railway surveying and associated
requirements in relation to –
(a) personnel;
(b) equipment;
(c) methodology - design, working, configuration, usability;
2.2 Competency
All railway survey work and associated activities detailed within this Standard shall only be
undertaken by, or under the direct supervision of, suitably qualified persons holding recognised
qualifications, as authorised and approved by the Rail Infrastructure Manager:
(a) Such authorised persons shall be responsible for the precise location of
infrastructure using surveying techniques.
(b) They are the only persons authorised to place, amend or relocate rail survey
control marks, track control marks or monuments, and any associated survey
plaques or tags.
All personnel undertaking survey work in the rail environment shall also be suitability qualified in
the safe working requirements and regulations of that jurisdiction.
Where compliance with the requirements of this Standard is not considered to be reasonably
practicable, the Rail Infrastructure Manager shall minimise identified non-compliance risks.
Lists of typical railway survey activities are in Appendix A. These lists are not exhaustive, but
are designed to provide guidance in the efficient allocation of surveying resources.
2.3 Strategy
The railway survey system shall provide –
(a) an element of assurance that the railway network can operate in a safe
manner; and
(b) a framework to support all engineering activities undertaken on a modern
railway network.
The application of a railway survey system may have different requirements, depending on the
environment in which it is located.
This enables coordinated track alignment to be described in the national framework, and for this
information to be integrated with mapping and other features, for example in a Geographic
Information System (GIS).
In Australia, all surveys so established shall use the current national horizontal and vertical
reference systems, namely the Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA94), and the Australian
Height Datum (AHD71) for the Australian mainland, and (AHD-TAS83) for Tasmania.
In New Zealand, all surveys so established shall use the current national horizontal and vertical
reference systems, namely the New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000), and the New
Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016).
The horizontal and vertical datums used, and the origins and values of coordinates and heights,
shall be recorded so that full traceability is documented.
to meet the issues and exacting standards required for the purposes of rail survey control and
track control. There is also the requirement for this equipment to be robust enough to withstand
a harsh work environment.
These tools shall be calibrated prior to their use, and on an ongoing basis, as deemed
appropriate by the Rail Infrastructure Manager.
Some examples of these specialised tools and equipment are listed below:
(a) Right-angled offset prism.
(b) Coping tool.
(c) Track bar.
(d) Magnetic rail prism.
Examples of this type of equipment are illustrated in Appendix B.
The use of metallic and invar staves shall not be permitted on any railway projects. Only non-
conductive certified staves shall be used.
Any other equipment used that has the potential to impact upon, or adversely affect any
electrical, signalling or other critical equipment, shall be certified as insulated and safe for use in
the rail environment.
2.5.2 Instrumentation
Instrument specifications shall be based on the equipment recommendations outlined in the
Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (SP1) document 'Guideline for
Conventional Traverse Surveys' for total station instruments, and 'Guideline for Control Surveys
by Differential Levelling' for differential levelling instruments.
Instrument specifications for GNSS equipment shall be based on the recommendations outlined
in the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (SP1) document 'Guideline for
Control Surveys by GNSS'.
Instrumentation and survey techniques for other types of surveys shall be compatible with the
type of work being undertaken, and shall be agreed to in consultation with the Rail Infrastructure
Manager.
It is recognised that many survey tasks can be undertaken using innovative methods rather than
conventional survey methods. However, before any work is undertaken using non-traditional
survey methods or techniques, the proposed methodology shall be thoroughly investigated and
accepted by the Rail Infrastructure Manager.
The Rail Infrastructure Manager shall confirm that where any work is undertaken using non-
conventional survey techniques, care shall be taken to ensure that the accuracy required for the
purpose and/or output of the survey is maintained.
All survey equipment shall be maintained in good adjustment (within equipment manufacturers’
stated precisions) and condition.
Examples of information required to ensure equipment is in good working order include –
(a) an annual service certificate confirming that the instrumentation meets
minimum operating specifications;
3 Implementation
3.1 Application of the Rail Survey Control Network
The rail survey control network shall have appropriate connections to the State or Territory
Survey Control Network. These connections shall be agreed to in consultation with the Rail
Infrastructure Manager before work commences.
The safety of survey personnel and equipment shall be of paramount importance when
designing rail survey control networks and installing rail survey control marks.
In all cases where ground penetration is a requirement, a services search of the site such as a
Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) and/or any state jurisdictional specific services search shall be
undertaken as determined by the Rail Infrastructure Manager.
The services search is undertaken to ensure –
(a) that no buried services are damaged; and
(b) the safety of the personnel involved.
(d) design track centres between the track being referenced and an adjacent
track;
(e) information relating to the mark attachment location (for example, overhead
wiring structure number, road over-line bridge name); and
(f) point number or unique identifier of the reference mark.
Different types of plaques, markers, datum plates or tags are illustrated in Appendix D.
outlined in the ICSM (SP1) document ‘Guideline for Control Surveys by Differential Levelling’,
unless otherwise advised by the Rail Infrastructure Manager.
Where AHD or NZVD information is not available within a reasonable proximity of the project,
then GNSS techniques as approved by the Rail Infrastructure Manager, shall be employed to
establish a benchmark for the project, which can subsequently be adjusted back to AHD or
NZVD from the observed ellipsoidal height.
Sufficient observations shall be made to ensure redundancies in the data set to allow a rigorous
least square adjustment to be undertaken to ensure the integrity of the observed data. Check
measurements to significant marks, including all radiated track control marks, shall be made to
ensure the integrity of the observed data.
4.1.2 Reporting
A survey report shall be provided, and contain the following information —
(a) job or project details;
(b) surveyors’ details;
(c) equipment details, observation techniques, rail survey control network details,
photographs and field notes / sketches;
(d) data processing methods and software used;
(e) least squares adjustment details, accuracies and software used, constraints,
options, analysis and results; and
(f) any other relevant details as required by the Rail Infrastructure Manager.
(a) all relevant railway databases are updated, including track design alignment
and clearance data; and
(b) other relevant authorities are notified.
Reference Clause: 2.5.1 Specialised Tools and Equipment - Source TfNSW T HR TR 13000 ST
Offset prism and associated attachment arms Right angled offset prism being used to measure a SSP
Brass Bar and Survey Plaque Datum Plate Track Data Plate SSP and Survey Plaque
2 X 1mm chamfer
12 – 12.7
90 - 100 2