13 Feb 2010: Queensland: Railway crossing, what railway crossing?

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 February 2010

Queensland:  Railway crossing, what railway crossing?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for the installation of red light cameras at major railway crossings and severe penalties for ignoring the road rules relating to railway crossings.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is to Queensland Rail's credit that they are conducting a major railway crossing safety campaign (1).  Sadly, railway crossing incidents are still occurring with some frequency.  Motor vehicle operators clearly need the threat of severe penalties and the certainty that should they breach the rules they will be detected and subject to legal sanctions to change their aberrant behaviours."

"For a first railway crossing offence licence suspension for a minimum of at least 12 months and a significant fine might make railway crossings suddenly visible.  Additionally offenders should face full cost recovery for the damage, possible death and injury and chaos caused. For a driver who commits a further railway crossing offence they clearly are not deserving of a licence and should be be suspended for life."

"If a driver who drives around an activated boom gate they should be immediately disqualified for life."

"Ultimately the only fail safe solution is road and rail separation. That won't occur for a long time so there is a need for immediate action to protect train crew, rail passengers, pedestrians and other bystanders, and the offending drivers and their passengers by bringing in penalties that match the serious nature of railway crossing offences."

References:

1.   http://www.railsmart.com.au/RailwayCrossings.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

How hard is it to install proper (with focus and resolution good enough to capture the number plate) at rail crossings?
Almost every QR citytrain station has a camera and surveillance, so couldn't cameras on the crossings be hooked up into that?

[ozbob]

Victoria has brought in a three months automatic disqualification for driving around boom gates, and increases in other penalties.

See --> here!

[ozbob]

From the Bayside Star 9th June 2010 page 4

Crossing safety camera helps decrease boomgate collisions

Crossing safety camera helps decrease boomgate collisions

ACCIDENTS and boom gate collisions at the Telegraph Road railway crossing at Bracken Ridge have decreased in number substantially since the installation of a 'safety camera' last year.

In the eight months since the camera was installed motorists have broken four boom gates at the crossing.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said this compared to a broken boom gate approximately every fortnight prior to the camera being installed. including four broken boom gates in July-August 2009.

The safety camera, marked by three 'Rail Xing Camera Ahead' signs at three entry points to the intersection was installed in September 2009 to deter motorists from breaking the law.

However its installation has done little to clear traffic congestion from the busy stretch, with traffic backed up to Mustang Street, eastbound on Telegraph Road during peak hour on June 3.

The crossing, noted by Queensland Rail in mid-2009 as the state's worst for accidents, is travelled daily by up to 20.000 cars and is subject to a proposed $81.9 million upgrade.

The proposal is dependent on a 50 percent funding pledge by the state government, which a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman previously told the Star Newspaper was unavailable until 2015.

A similar upgrade is required at the Robinson Road, Geebung crossing. `There are 1602 open level crossings in Queensland.

"All submissions for grade separation funding are prioritised against other grade separation proposals," a department spokesman said last week.

"The department has reviewed council's Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge and Robinson Road, Geebung business cases and will consider the priority of the project and the timeframe for funding."

The spokesman said since February this year, 13 more open level crossing upgrades had been completed in Queensland under the Australian Government's 'Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program'.

Under the program Queensland had been allocated $42.7 million to upgrade 66 open level crossings, half of what is required for the Telegraph Road crossing alone. Brisbane City Councillor Amanda Cooper (Bracken Ridge) said council was still committed to funding 50 percent of the cost to replace the Telegraph Road open level crossing.

"We do require the state government's assistance in order to proceed and unfortunately with no funding commitment from them, it is unlikely we will see any work commencing in the coming financial year.

"Disappointingly it means there will be no change to the traffic delays that occur every day for Bracken Ridge residents." The state government budget was due to be handed down yesterday.

State member for Aspley Tracy Davis said she had not heard of any funding for the open level crossing, but hoped something might come out of the budget. -Emily Eklund

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLinkSEQ
 
Trains are currently suspended between Alderley to Ferny Grove stations due to a car hitting a boom gate at Sth Pine Rd.

3 minutes ago via API

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th October 2010

Greetings,

We strongly support the level crossing safety initiatives by Government and Queensland Rail.  However, as events have unfolded this week safety campaigns need to be supported by no nonsense penalties and legal sanctions.

Enough of the folly!  Any vehicle driver that drives around an activated boom gate (down in the closed position) should have their licence cancelled for life.  Other breaches need severe legal sanctions.  This coupled with red light cameras is the only way these dangerous fools will be brought into line.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org


========================

Media Release 13 February 2010 re-released 9 October 2010

Queensland:  Railway crossing, what railway crossing?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for the installation of red light cameras at major railway crossings and severe penalties for ignoring the road rules relating to railway crossings.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is to Queensland Rail's credit that they are conducting a major railway crossing safety campaign (1).  Sadly, railway crossing incidents are still occurring with some frequency.  Motor vehicle operators clearly need the threat of severe penalties and the certainty that should they breach the rules they will be detected and subject to legal sanctions to change their aberrant behaviours."

"For a first railway crossing offence licence suspension for a minimum of at least 12 months and a significant fine might make railway crossings suddenly visible.  Additionally offenders should face full cost recovery for the damage, possible death and injury and chaos caused. For a driver who commits a further railway crossing offence they clearly are not deserving of a licence and should be be suspended for life."

"If a driver who drives around an activated boom gate they should be immediately disqualified for life."

"Ultimately the only fail safe solution is road and rail separation. That won't occur for a long time so there is a need for immediate action to protect train crew, rail passengers, pedestrians and other bystanders, and the offending drivers and their passengers by bringing in penalties that match the serious nature of railway crossing offences."

References:

1.   http://www.railsmart.com.au/RailwayCrossings.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

Sometimes I think people see the boom gate closing and think they can beat it.
The red flashing lights must be given the same status as a red traffic light, regardless of the position of
the boom itself.

Cameras should be installed too.

[longboi]

The flashing lights are already the same status as a red traffic signal.

[ozbob]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

=====================

Twitter

TransLinkSEQ
 
Sunshine Coast line between Caboolture and Elimbah delayed up to 15 mins due to level crossing incident at McKean St in Caboolture.

25 minutes ago  via Mobile Web 

[ozbob]

14th October 2010

Greetings,

Yet another level crossing incident today.  How many is this past week or so?  Four or five, I am losing count.

Was anyone surprised with the idiots ignoring  the flood warning lights and driving into the flooded roadways?  Guess not, they ignore flashing red lights at railway crossings as well.

It is time that the community was protected from these fools.  Clearly it is time for some significant incentives to change the 'couldn't care less attitudes by road vehicle drivers'.  Our rail crew needs protection, as does the rest of the community!

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?1287019528

Caboolture line - train delays at Morayfield

Trains on the Caboolture line between Caboolture and Burpengary stations have been suspended due to a vehicle hitting a boom gate at the Station Road level crossing at Morayfield.

Delays of up to 30 minutes may be experienced.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

On 9/10/2010 4:49 AM, RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
Greetings,

We strongly support the level crossing safety initiatives by Government and Queensland Rail.  However, as events have unfolded this week safety campaigns need to be supported by no nonsense penalties and legal sanctions.

Enough of the folly!  Any vehicle driver that drives around an activated boom gate (down in the closed position) should have their licence cancelled for life.  Other breaches need severe legal sanctions.  This coupled with red light cameras is the only way these dangerous fools will be brought into line.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org



========================

Media Release 13 February 2010 re-released 9 October 2010

Queensland:  Railway crossing, what railway crossing?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for the installation of red light cameras at major railway crossings and severe penalties for ignoring the road rules relating to railway crossings.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is to Queensland Rail's credit that they are conducting a major railway crossing safety campaign (1).  Sadly, railway crossing incidents are still occurring with some frequency.  Motor vehicle operators clearly need the threat of severe penalties and the certainty that should they breach the rules they will be detected and subject to legal sanctions to change their aberrant behaviours."

"For a first railway crossing offence licence suspension for a minimum of at least 12 months and a significant fine might make railway crossings suddenly visible.  Additionally offenders should face full cost recovery for the damage, possible death and injury and chaos caused. For a driver who commits a further railway crossing offence they clearly are not deserving of a licence and should be be suspended for life."

"If a driver who drives around an activated boom gate they should be immediately disqualified for life."

"Ultimately the only fail safe solution is road and rail separation. That won't occur for a long time so there is a need for immediate action to protect train crew, rail passengers, pedestrians and other bystanders, and the offending drivers and their passengers by bringing in penalties that match the serious nature of railway crossing offences."

References:

1.   http://www.railsmart.com.au/RailwayCrossings.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Flashing red lights do mean stop, fortunately for some.

SP 4449 Daylight Steam Engine Train coming from Albany, Oregon going to Portland, Oregon on 4-15-07.

[Golliwog]

There was an opinion piece in todays courier mail by Mike O'Connor about grade seperation of railway crossings. I can't find it on the website as it doesn't yet have his latest column, but it was a bit of an "interesting" if somewhat poorly researched piece (Apparently CRR is a bridge )

[ozbob]

We urgently need a second hard copy daily metro paper in Brisbane.  Fairfax?  Bite the bullet and bring on the Brisbane Age ..,.

[Stillwater]

Agree regarding the need for another, competitive news outlet in Brisbane.  But we may not have ink and newsprint newspapers for much longer.  Some reports are that the last traditional newspaper will be published in USA around 2022, and Australia around 2025.  The alternative will be a 'news tablet' computer, or some form of energised plastic.  A newspaper in a different form.

[johnnigh]

We certainly need an alternative to Mike O'Dopey. As a mouth without a brain it works, but don't bother worrying about what comes out.

[ozbob]

Article referred to by Golliwog

Courier Mail --> Shifting of blame crosses new level

[somebody]

Grade separation is expensive, and really doesn't provide much bang for buck.  Replacing every level crossing just isn't happening.  Melbourne keeps having the same argument.

[ozbob]

Carnegie and Murrumbeena (Melbourne) two locations that I am familiar with are both major crossing delays.  Not unusual for the gates to be closed for 30 minutes or more ...

The survey found motorists wait for up to 36 trains to travel through the crossing between 8am and 9am with boom gates down at times for more than 38 minutes.

http://caulfield-glen-eira-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/murrumbeenas-traffic-nightmare-is-the-worst-redspot/

The railway was there long before the road traffic became an issue, but in typical myopia that characterises alleged transport policy in metropolitan Australia nothing much happened although it was an obvious issue in the 1960s when I was going to school through there.

[colinw]

Mike O'Connor is a goose.  He hasn't had anything intelligent or well researched to say in any of his forays into reporting about public transport or rail, and this current article does nothing to improve his record.

The errors in that article are multiple:

1.  The responsibility for constructing grade separations to replace an existing level crossing is that of the relevant road authority, be it BCC, State Government or some other council.
2.  CRR is not going to be a bridge!  
3.  CRR is undergoing exactly the same planning & business case process as any other major project.  The Government is not "hoping a bridge (sic) appears overnight"
4.  Kippa-Ring will be utilising trains already being built - 64 of them to be precise - and if Mike O'Connor did some basic research he would know that. (Source: here and here) - new trains rolling out until 2011, with more planned beyond then.

Not to mention this howler:

The train approaching in this metaphorical tunnel from the other end carries the $300 million debt the Government will have to incur after Prime Minister Julia Gillard's vote-buying frenzy extended to a promise of a chicken in every pot, a free facial for the ladies, a slab of tinnies for the blokes and a railway line to Redcliffe.

It was the PM's promise but it's forced the Bligh Government to find money to spend on the link that could have been used to build at least three railway crossing overpasses.

So old mate thinks it is better 'bang for buck' to build 3 railway overpasses than to get rail to the public transport wasteland that is North Lakes & Mango Hill.

A very shoddy piece of "reporting" indeed.  I'm sure newspapers used to employ editors to weed out dross like this?

There, folks, is the reason I no longer fork over my hard earned cash to buy The Courier-Mail.

[#Metro]

This is the whole idea. Stir up community ill feeling and anger and outrage then you will have created your own story which you can publish.

There are any number of these "push button" articles which are loaded with "aren't you outraged??!!!" implications like:

Water: State government is ripping you off on your bill
Power: State government is ripping you off on your power
Petrol: State government is ripping you off on your petrol by doing nothing, NOTHING to stop you being overcharged and axing the subsidy
Groceries: Federal government is sitting idly by while grocery stores rip you off
Mortgages: Federal government spending is out of control and pushing interest rates out of this world
Banks: Banks are ripping you off with fees and making obscene profits at your expense
Speed Cameras: State government is using speed cameras as a cash machine
Welfare: Dole bludgers are ripping you off and the government is making it happen
Politicians: Your local pollie is raking in the cash and going on holidays everywhere on your hard earned cash

Like all stories, there is probably a grain of truth to all of these things. And they all have to do with making it seem like someone who doesn't deserve something is getting showered in benefits at your hard working expense.

The one story I haven't seen the Courier Mail run yet is this one: Road Tunnels: Ripping off investors and ratepayers

[ozbob]

Agree regarding the need for another, competitive news outlet in Brisbane.  But we may not have ink and newsprint newspapers for much longer.  Some reports are that the last traditional newspaper will be published in USA around 2022, and Australia around 2025.  The alternative will be a 'news tablet' computer, or some form of energised plastic.  A newspaper in a different form.

Fair comment, but I reminded of the 'paperless office' at times like these ...  it would be nice if Fairfax could do a Brisbane daily ...