PAE Awareness Week runs from 2 - 8 November 2026, with this year’s campaign, Let’s Talk PAE, encouraging everyone who interacts with the rail network to recognise distractions, challenge assumptions and speak up when something does not seem right.
The campaign brings together above-rail and below-rail operators to raise awareness of Proceed Authority Exceedances across the rail network. A Proceed Authority Exceedance (PAE) occurs when rail traffic moves beyond an authorised limit or enters a track section without permission. Beyond the operational impacts, a PAE can seriously affect colleagues, families, customers and communities.
In 2025, 1144 PAEs were recorded by Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) - a reminder of why recognising distractions, checking assumptions and seeking clarification remain important.
Previously focused on SPADs (Signals Passed At Danger), the awareness campaign was recently broadened to cover all authority exceedances in both signalled and non-signalled territory, including written authorities. It became known as PAE Awareness Week in 2025, reflecting the importance of awareness across the entire network.
This year, Arc’s Network Operations team has developed a ‘Conversation Starter’ to build on the importance of maintaining focus - whether you are a driver, a network controller or someone else interacting with the rail network. These questions invite us to pause before proceeding and consider the decisions that help keep ourselves and others safe.
Head of Operations & Customer Management Rod Smith said this year’s campaign, ‘Let’s Talk PAE’ is about making the conversations that matter part of our everyday work.
“Whether you’re a driver, a network controller or someone else interacting with the rail network, recognising distractions and checking assumptions can make a real difference,” Rod said.
“If you’re unsure, stop, verify and clarify before proceeding. Asking a question or speaking up when something doesn’t seem right could prevent an incident. No one should be afraid to seek clarification.”
“The impact of a PAE can reach beyond operations to our colleagues, families, customers and communities. By sharing what we’ve learnt from incidents and near misses, we can identify risks and strengthen our safety culture together.”
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