The Queensland Government has released the Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy, outlining a 10-year strategy aimed at making level crossings across the state safer for rail and road users.
The 10 year strategy comes off the back of the level crossing program announced last week in which the government is attempting to find cost-effective solutions to some of our most problematic level crossings across the South East.
A three-year Action Plan is being launched alongside the strategy, during Rail Safety Week, which centres around improving safety based on:
- enforcement
- education
- technology and innovation
- data capture and coordination
This includes the trial of safety camera technology at level crossings to detect dangerous behaviour, like people driving through flashing red lights, boom gates or speeding.
TMR is currently in the market for Queensland Level Crossing Safety Camera technology, which is soon set to be trialled at high-risk level crossings around the state.
Similar technology is already widely used in the UK, and parts of Europe like Belgium and the Czech Republic.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said Every collision at a level crossing is one too many.
“This is why we’re continuing to strive for the long-term vision of zero harm at level crossings in Queensland,” he said.
“Our SEQ Level Crossing Program, announced last week, includes the targeted upgrade of level crossings and forms a key part of our broad approach.
“The new Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033 provides a roadmap for action to improve level crossing safety across the state over the next ten years and the Action Plan prioritises key initiatives over the next three years.
“This includes a commitment to trialling innovative level crossing safety camera technology in deterring unsafe driving behaviours.
“This Rail Safety Week, we’re urging everyone to stay rail safe by respecting the sign – it’s everyone’s responsibility.”
Between 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2023 across Queensland level crossings, (involving either pedestrians or road vehicles).
- 1507 near hits
- 64 collisions
- 12 fatalities
- 6 serious injuries
The Strategy follows the release of the South East Queensland Level Crossing Program 2024 last week, which details the 14 level crossings in South East Queensland currently being removed, upgraded or under investigation. $10 million has also been set aside, as part of the Program, to identify solutions for future priority level crossings.
Both the Program and the Strategy are aligned in a vision for zero harm at level crossings across Queensland by:
- Increasing Police enforcement at level crossings across Queensland
- Improving level crossing user behaviour through targeted education campaigns
- Leveraging opportunities from emerging technology and innovations
- Identifying opportunities to deliver early, low cost and effective safety improvements.
- Supporting the development of improved data and knowledge on level crossings
- Increasing coordination and sharing between those responsible for level crossing safety.
Rail Safety Week is a time to remind road users to always stay alert around rail level crossings as trains can come at any time.
RTBU Queensland Branch Secretary Peter Allen spoke about the importance of this trial.
“Everyone has a level crossing story, sadly some are tragedies. Those tragedies always affect the victims, rail workers, everyone’s families and whole communities,” he said.
“Rail Safety week reminds us we all have a role in keeping our communities safe around rail lines.
“We welcome the Queensland Government’s level crossing strategy to start the work of removing or upgrading dangerous level crossings. We know it will save lives.”
TMR has partnered with Aurizon to promote its national campaign – “Respect the Sign. Lives are on the Line.”
This campaign is told through the eyes of train crew and first responders who see the devastation that can be caused at level crossing incidents.
A train driver cannot swerve or stop quickly if a vehicle is too close, and it takes a fully loaded freight train up to two kilometres to stop.
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon said road freight transport is a critical service in the State and the geographical location of communities means that trucks are interacting with rail level crossings daily.
“Acknowledgement of specific heavy vehicle related considerations such as truck driver visibility, the height and size of vehicles, stopping distance times and handling heavy loads will be critical to designing new safety systems and technology for rail level crossings,” he said.
“We strongly support the collaboration on this strategy as the safety of heavy vehicles and interaction with rail level crossings is paramount.”
Signs are in place to keep road users and train crews safe. Always follow these signs and be cautious when travelling across a rail level crossing.
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