However 99.9% of drivers would agree that a National Standard System would
be a brilliant innovation. But there are so many variations of CTC etc even
within the same state. We cannot even agree on what a Green over Red signal
indicates. States that use speed signalling like SA and Vic cannot agree on
what Medium Speed is. We can't even agree on tail lights for a light
engine!
When National Rail was formed it was supposed to introduce a standard
safeworking system for interstate main lines but that disappeared when the
Track Australia concept was created. Of course if and when TA ever gets off
the ground there will only be enough funds to just maintain the existing
system.
The money that the feds are talking about funding TA with for the first ten
years for track and signalling and train control would possibly pay for one
towns freeway bypass. Until Rail gets at least as much as they pay in fuel
excise (most of which directly funds the competition) we are stuck with a
third rate system.