Engineering Standard

Right of Way

ESC 550

Engineering Standard
ACCESS ROADS

Version 1.1

Issued December 2009

Owner: Chief Engineer Civil

Approved by: John Stapleton Authorised by: Richard Hitch

Group Leader Standards Chief Engineer Civil
Civil

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This document was prepared for use on the RailCorp Network only.
RailCorp makes no warranties, express or implied, that compliance with the contents of this document shall be
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copy of the document it is viewing is the current version of the document as in use by RailCorp.
RailCorp accepts no liability whatsoever in relation to the use of this document by any party, and RailCorp excludes
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The information in this document is protected by Copyright and no part of this document may be reproduced, altered,
stored or transmitted by any person without the prior consent of RailCorp

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Document control
Revision Date of Approval Summary of change
1.1 December, 2009 Details in summary of changes
1 May, 2009 First issue as a RailCorp document.

Summary of changes from previous version

Section Summary of change
Document Changes to position titles
Control
Appendix 1 Figure caption deleted

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Contents
1 Purpose, Scope and Application ............................................................................................................ 4
2 References ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Australian and International Standards ......................................................................................... 4
2.2 RailCorp Documents ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Other References .......................................................................................................................... 4
3 Definitions and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ 4
4 Design Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 5
4.1 Provision of access roads.............................................................................................................. 5
4.2 Design loading ............................................................................................................................... 5
4.3 Pavement type............................................................................................................................... 5
4.4 Configuration ................................................................................................................................. 5
4.5 Geotechnical advice ...................................................................................................................... 6
4.6 Earthworks materials ..................................................................................................................... 6
4.7 Compaction of earthworks............................................................................................................. 6
4.8 Drainage ........................................................................................................................................ 6
4.9 Culverts and bridges...................................................................................................................... 7
4.10 Safety barriers ............................................................................................................................... 7
4.11 Level crossings.............................................................................................................................. 7
4.12 Environmental considerations ....................................................................................................... 7
4.13 Security.......................................................................................................................................... 7
4.14 Lighting .......................................................................................................................................... 7
4.15 Signposting and vehicle height warning structures ....................................................................... 8
5 Construction ............................................................................................................................................. 8
5.1 Construction standards.................................................................................................................. 8
5.2 Protection of rail infrastructure....................................................................................................... 8
6 Documentation ......................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 Design Stage ................................................................................................................................. 8
6.2 Work-as-Executed Plans ............................................................................................................... 9
Appendix 1 R Loading Configuration........................................................................................................ 10

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1 Purpose, Scope and Application

This document specifies technical requirements for the design and construction of access roads
within the rail corridor.

The access roads may be required for both maintenance and emergency services purposes.

2 References
2.1 Australian and International Standards
AS 1170 Structural design actions
AS 1289 Methods for testing soils for engineering purposes

2.2 RailCorp Documents

ESC 215 Transit Space
ESC 410 Earthworks and Formation
ESC 420 Track Drainage
ESC 520 Level Crossings
SPC 411 Specification Earthwork Materials
TMC 313 Brick Arch Culvert Extension and Repair
TMC 411 Earthworks
TMC 421 Track Drainage

2.3 Other References

AP-G17/04 Austroads Pavement design A Guide to the Structural Design of Road
Pavements

3 Definitions and Abbreviations

Terms used in this Standard are defined as follows:

Subgrade: Natural or prepared portion of the formation on which pavement is

constructed.
Subbase course: The material laid on top of the subgrade
Base course: The material laid on top of the subbase and either forming the road
surface (in the case of a rigid pavement) or immediately below the
wearing course (in the case of a flexible pavement)
Wearing surface: The top surface of a flexible pavement, usually constructed with
asphalt or a bituminous seal
Capping: The top surface of an unsurfaced pavement, usually constructed out
of granular materials with a low clay content and compactable to an
impervious surface
Flexible pavement: A resilient pavement that is designed to deflect under load
Rigid pavement: A pavement that is designed not to deflect under load
Unsurfaced pavement: A pavement constructed entirely out of soils without a bitumen or
concrete seal
Danger Zone: Everywhere within 3m horizontally from the nearest rail and any
distance above or below this 3m, unless a safe place exists or has
been created

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4 Design Requirements
4.1 Provision of access roads
Access roads provide access for road vehicles along and within the rail corridor to trackside for
both maintenance and emergency services purposes.

Access roads may be provided in conjunction with the construction of new lines or within an
existing rail corridor.

Where appropriate, access roads should be provided to facilitate maintenance access to other vital
rail infrastructure, e.g. track signals, substations, section huts.

4.2 Design loading

Access roads shall be designed for the type of traffic that will be using the road.

Unless otherwise advised by the local Asset Manager, the default loading for designed access road
pavements shall be the R20 vehicle loading with minimum cycles. Refer to Appendix 1 R Loading
Configuration and Austroads publication AP-G17/04 Pavement Design A Guide to the Structural
Design of Road Pavements for details.

4.3 Pavement type

Access road pavements may be designed as unsurfaced, flexible or rigid. The type of pavement for
each location is to be determined in accordance with the service requirements.

Access roads will typically include a subbase and base course and in the case of a flexible
pavement, a wearing surface.

Approved configurations are shown in Figure 1 below:

Wearing surface Capping

Base Concrete Base Base
Subbase Subbase Subbase
Subgrade Subgrade Subgrade

FLEXIBLE RIGID UNSURFACED

PAVEMENT PAVEMENT PAVEMENT

Figure 1: Types of access road pavements

Depending on the service requirements, an unsurfaced pavement may be designed with a formal
subgrade, subbase, base and capping course, or alternatively constructed by compaction of the
natural subgrade with or without a capping such as spent track ballast.

Designs of flexible and rigid pavements should generally be in accordance with Austroads
publication AP-G17/04.

4.4 Configuration
The configuration of a new access road shall provide for:
Vehicle entries and exits;
Turning circles and standing areas where necessary;
Width of vehicles that are intended to use the access road. Vehicles used by RailCorp may be
up to 2.5 metres wide with collapsible side mirrors outside this space no more than 230mm
wide. Where space permits, the minimum width of road shall be 4 metres;

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Height of road vehicles that are intended to use the road. Vehicles used by RailCorp may be
up to 4.3 metres in height. The default minimum vertical clearance shall be 4600mm from road
pavement to any overhead structures. Where this cannot be achieved any locations with
lesser clearances shall be signposted accordingly;
Length of road vehicles that are intended to use the access road. Standard 3-axle rigid body
vehicles may be up to 12.5 metres in length;
Suitable road grades and crossfalls;
Vehicle and personnel safety, particularly adjacent to deep drains, on high cuttings and
embankments or within the Danger Zone (3 metres from the nearest running rail of a rail line);
Shoulder distances for earthworks as specified in ESC 410 Earthworks and Formation;
Transit space clearances as specified in ESC 215 Transit Space.

4.5 Geotechnical advice

An access road may be located in soft or hard ground and under either submerged or non-
submerged conditions during flood events.

The advice of RailCorps Principal Geotechnical Engineer shall be sought prior to finalising an
access road design, including sites where unsurfaced pavements utilising the natural ground and
capping only are proposed.

When an access road is proposed to be provided by the widening of an existing rail embankment
or cutting, particular attention shall be given to the effect on the existing earthworks, including
stability and drainage. The advice of the Principal Geotechnical Engineer shall be sought with
respect to drainage, benching or retaining wall requirements. The geotechnical investigation shall
also include an assessment on any nearby structures such as overhead wiring structures and
specify requirements for monitoring any movement.

Guidance on the widening of embankments and cuttings and protection of existing structures is
provided in RailCorp Engineering Manual TMC 411 Earthworks.

4.6 Earthworks materials

Earthwork materials for the subbase area should generally conform to that specified for general fill
in RailCorp Specification SPC 411 Earthwork Materials.

Earthwork materials for the base area should generally conform to that specified for the structural
zone in RailCorp Specification SPC 411 Earthwork Materials.

Capping material for an unsurfaced access road should generally conform to the specification for
railway capping in RailCorp Specification SPC 411 Earthwork Materials, unless otherwise
approved by the Principal Geotechnical Engineer.

4.7 Compaction of earthworks

Compaction of the subbase soils shall be not less than 95% maximum dry density as determined
by AS 1289 Tests 5.1.1 and 5.3.1 (Standard Compaction).

Compaction of base course cohesive soils shall be not less than 100% maximum dry density as
determined by AS 1289 Tests 5.1.1 and 5.3.1 (Standard Compaction). For rock fill or cohesionless
soils, there should be no visible deflection of the surface under a 10 tonne vibratory roller after 6 to
8 passes. Relative density shall not be less than 75%.

Material not complying with the specified compaction standard shall only be used with the approval
of RailCorps Principal Geotechnical Engineer.

4.8 Drainage
Stormwater runoff from a new access road shall be designed for an average recurrence interval
(ARI) of 50 years.

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New access roads on existing rail corridors shall not obstruct or affect in any adverse way the
existing drainage system. Where appropriate, the opportunity should be taken to improve the
existing track drainage conditions in conjunction with the installation of the access road.

For new lines, the drainage of the access roads shall be designed in conjunction with the track
drainage design.

Runoff from access roads shall be appropriately collected and disposed of in conjunction with the
existing or new drainage system. It shall not be directed onto adjacent rail lines or other railway
infrastructure e.g. substation compounds, or have an adverse effect on adjoining public or private
property.

Reference should be made to RailCorp Standard ESC 420 Track Drainage and RailCorp Manual
TMC 421 Track Drainage for design and installation requirements for track drainage systems.

4.9 Culverts and bridges

The construction of a new access road may involve the crossing of existing waterways. Depending
on the proximity to adjacent rail lines, the waterway structures may be independent or married into
existing structures. The new structure or extension shall be designed so that the waterway area of
the existing structure is not impeded or limited in any way or any adverse effects such as afflux,
scouring or ponding created.

Where the extension of an existing brick or masonry culvert is proposed, it shall comply with the
requirements of RailCorp Manual TMC 313 Brick Arch Culvert Extension and Repair.

4.10 Safety barriers

Safety barriers shall be provided where there is a risk of vehicles or personnel falling over or
colliding with other fixed rail infrastructure such as overhead wiring structures, retaining walls,
signal posts and above-ground cable troughs. The barriers may typically comprise guardrailing,
fencing or bollards.

Design loads on barriers should generally be in accordance with that adopted in car parks and the
provisions of AS 1170 Structural Design Actions.

4.11 Level crossings

It may be necessary at some locations for an access road to cross a rail line or lines. In this
circumstance, a service level crossing shall be installed in accordance with RailCorp Standard ESC
520 Level Crossings.

4.12 Environmental considerations

Appropriate measures to protect the environment should be identified and documented when
designing an access road. Environmental considerations include:
Prevention of siltation of existing watercourses or leeching of earthwork materials onto
adjoining properties;
Creation of noise and dust during construction in built-up areas;
Removal of flora or destruction of native habitats;
Disposal of excavated materials including contaminated soils.

4.13 Security
Appropriate security shall be designed at both entry and exit points to an access road to prevent
unauthorised use and to restrict access to approved personnel and emergency services only.

4.14 Lighting
Lighting of a proposed access road is to be incorporated where appropriate, e.g. where there is
considered to be a safety risk to road vehicles or personnel using the road.

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4.15 Signposting and vehicle height warning structures

Appropriate signposting is to be provided where use of the access road is required to be available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Trespass signage should also be provided where considered necessary.

Where an access road is to cross the rail lines, sign posting for the maximum vehicle height shall
be installed in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.15 Electrical Requirements of RailCorp
Engineering Standard ESC 520.

Where necessary, vehicle height warning frames shall be installed at the point of entry of road
vehicles into the rail corridor and approaching any level crossings, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.15 Electrical Requirements of RailCorp Engineering Standard ESC 520.

5 Construction
5.1 Construction standards
For designed pavements, construction shall be to the compaction standards and tolerances
specified on the drawings.

For basic access roads for which construction drawings are not prepared, construction shall be in
accordance with the geotechnical advice and relevant RailCorp Engineering Standards as
referenced in this Standard.

5.2 Protection of rail infrastructure

Particular care must be taken during the construction of an access road that adjacent rail
infrastructure is not disturbed or damaged. This could include for example:
Track subsidence
Excavation at the base of railway embankments, that might lead to destabilisation and failure
of the embankment
Disturbance to drainage systems over railway cuttings that might lead to failure of the cutting
slopes or fouling of the tracks below etc.
Blocking of track ballast drainage by access road pavements added adjacent to the ballast
Undercutting of the base of railway cuttings
Damage to railway cess drains and disturbance to the flow of stormwater runoff
Damage to train examination or staff walkway areas
Excavation adjacent to building, bridges or other structures that might undermine or
destabilise the foundations
Damage to above ground railway equipment, e.g. signalling infrastructure
Damage to existing above ground or below ground services.

6 Documentation
6.1 Design Stage
For designed pavements, the designer shall include the following detail on the design drawings:
Proposed location in plan view and rail kilometrage of the access road, relative to the railway
boundary, tracks and other adjacent railway infrastructure;
Proposed reduced levels of the access road including gradients and cross-falls;
Details of the road formation, running surface, drainage, safety barriers, lighting and
signposting etc.;

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Details of existing underground and overhead services as determined from the Services
Search and proposed protective measures where applicable;
Compaction standards and finished surface tolerances.

6.2 Work-as-Executed Plans

For designed pavements, work-as-executed plans of completed access roads shall be lodged in
the Plan Room. Any variations to the approved design plans shall be clearly marked.

Where appropriate, details of the access road location, entry and exit are to be forwarded to
emergency service authorities.

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Appendix 1 R Loading Configuration

R Loading Configuration
The R vehicle is a rigid truck with the same configuration as the prime mover portion (first 3 axles)
of the T vehicle and the numerical portion is the vehicles weight in tonnes.

Standard
T44
Vehicle

Axle Loads
4.9 9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8 (Tonnes)

1800
3700 1200 Variable 1200

3000-8000
To produce maximum loading effect

R20
Vehicle

4.0 8.08 8.0

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