8 Mar 2011: SEQ: 'RAIL Action' on bridge strikes welcomed

[ozbob]

Media release 8 March 2011

SEQ: 'RAIL Action' on bridge strikes welcomed

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport passengers has welcomed the quadruplication of fines and increase in demerit point penalties for bridge strikes (1). More sanctions are needed though it terms of full cost recovery for the damage and mayhem caused by stupidity.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Our rail network carries livestock, freight, commodities and passengers which is all vital to the state economy. A bridge strike can shut down and disrupt the entire network and delay passengers for hours, apart from the immediate safety risks. None of this is good as passengers value travel time reliability very highly. RAIL Back on Track is glad that 'RAIL Action' is being taken on this issue.  We have long highlighted the problem of bridge strikes and are grateful that action is finally being taken (2).

"The other issue that irks us is drivers running red lights at level crossings and boom gate smashes by cars, buses and trucks. A video last week showed a truck paused at a level crossing resulting in a side-swipe with a train (3).

"The increase in sanctions is welcome, but we don't think it is enough to cause a permanent change in the aberrant road vehicle driver behaviours.  What will, is full cost recovery for the negligence and mayhem they cause, in addition to fines and licence sanctions.

"RAIL Back on Track suggests that revenue collected from these fines and cost recovery are recycled and used on further anti-collision measures such as height gauges, rail light cameras and grade-separations of level crossings."

References:

1. Fines quadruple for stuck truck drivers
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fines-quadruple-for-stuck-truck-drivers-20110307-1bku6.html

2. Media Release 24 July 2010 SEQ:  Bridge strikes continue amidst the chaos on south-east Queensland roads
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4141.0

3. What happens next
http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/qld-news/what-happens-next-2218674.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th May 2011

Level crossing incidents

Greetings,

It is now beyond a joke.  Level crossing incidents abound again today.  Time the Government got fair dinkum.  These irresponsible clowns should not be on the road, full stop.

First offence, licence suspension for three years and full cost recovery.  Second offence life licence suspension and full cost recovery.

If a driver of a vehicle drives around an activated boom gate they should be suspended from driving for life, immediately.

Nothing else is acceptable.  Obviously the safety campaigns are a failure.

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[somebody]

What's the fine for hitting a level crossing boom gate?  That's the one that really has no excuse, much more than the bridge strikes IMO.

[ozbob]

Token ...  

eg.

http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/itrdlg/updatetrainillumination/report/Final%20Report.pdf

In March 2007, Queensland Transport raised the existing fine for
risky driving or disobeying road rules at level crossings from $45 to
$225 and 3 demerit points.

In New South Wales the current fine for disobeying road rules at
level crossings is $300 and 3 demerit points.

In Victoria, following the Kerang train disaster in 2007, the
Government raised penalties for infringements at level crossings.
In its submission to the inquiry, the Victorian Department of
Transport outlined the tightening of enforcement measures to
encourage motor vehicle drivers to comply with road rules at level
crossings.

Noting:
Penalties for level crossing infringements have been
toughened, rising from $177 and three demerit points to
$430 and four demerit points. A new offence has been
introduced for speeding to beat a train, crossing tracks
when lights and bells are operating, or weaving in
between lowered boom gates. It carries a fine of 30 penalty
units, a ($3,304) infringement, four demerit points and
automatic three month licence suspension.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th May 2011

Greetings,

South Pine Road a mess, truck into the boom gates at Alderley.

Ho hum, isn't it time that something was done??  The present penalties are a joke and are obviously no incentive to obey road rules.

Have a long commute ...

Best wishes
Robert

[Fares_Fair]

Sent to all outlets:

13th May 2011

Greetings,

South Pine Road a mess, truck into the boom gates at Alderley.

Ho hum, isn't it time that something was done??  The present penalties are a joke and are obviously no incentive to obey road rules.

Have a long commute ...

Best wishes
Robert

...already do Bob, already do. 


Regards,
Fares-Fair.

[Golliwog]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/utility-drivers-brush-with-death-at-rockhampton-level-crossing/story-e6freoof-1226055485957

Utility driver's brush with death at Rockhampton level crossing
Robyn Ironside
The Courier-Mail May 13, 2011 4:19PM

A UTILITY driver has cheated death at a level crossing in Queensland after colliding with a freight train.
The trailer being towed by the V8 ute was struck by the train at the Boundary Rd crossing in Rockhampton this morning.

The front of the train was damaged, as was the trailer but both drivers escaped unhurt.

There are no boom gates at the crossing but flashing lights are believed to have been in operation at the time of the crash.

The collision came just hours after a removalist van hit a boom gate at a level crossing at Alderley on Brisbane's northside today.

Services on the Ferny Grove line were temporarily disrupted as a result of the incident and peak hour commuters on South Pine Road were held up.

The utility driver involved in this morning's collision in Rockhampton is expected to be charged by police with failing to obey a traffic signal at a level crossing.

It doesn't help when they make it come of as if the whole thing was blameless, or that the idiot who wasn't paying attention is a "cool" daredevil who cheated death.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th May 2011

Level crossing incidents - action needed

Greetings,

For your information.  Following the sad Kerang level crossing crash Victoria moved to introduce a reasonable sanction for lunatic behaviour.

Queensland lags on level crossing safety enforcement, will it take another 'Kerang' for the Queensland Government to actually bite the bullet?  The present fines and sanctions in Queensland are a very pathetic joke.  They are an insult to train crew, to the travelling public, and to all motorists who are also at risk as a result of the errant behaviour of irresponsible dangerous fools who should not be driving.

Enough, if the Queensland Government will not act stand aside and let those who will please.

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

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

http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/itrdlg/updatetrainillumination/report/Final%20Report.pdf

In March 2007, Queensland Transport raised the existing fine for
risky driving or disobeying road rules at level crossings from $45 to
$225 and 3 demerit points.

In New South Wales the current fine for disobeying road rules at
level crossings is $300 and 3 demerit points.

In Victoria, following the Kerang train disaster in 2007, the
Government raised penalties for infringements at level crossings.
In its submission to the inquiry, the Victorian Department of
Transport outlined the tightening of enforcement measures to
encourage motor vehicle drivers to comply with road rules at level
crossings.

Noting:
Penalties for level crossing infringements have been
toughened, rising from $177 and three demerit points to
$430 and four demerit points. A new offence has been
introduced for speeding to beat a train, crossing tracks
when lights and bells are operating, or weaving in
between lowered boom gates. It carries a fine of 30 penalty
units, a ($3,304) infringement, four demerit points and
automatic three month licence suspension.

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

From the Courier Mail click here!

Drivers beat boomgates at rail crossings - and hefty fines

Drivers beat boomgates at rail crossings - and hefty fines

   by Robyn Ironside
   From: The Courier-Mail
   May 14, 2011 12:00AM

DRIVERS who try to beat the boomgates at level crossings are being fined just $100 more than passengers who put their feet on train seats.

But despite demands from unions and commuters to get tough on offenders, state Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to change the penalties.

"Being hit by a train should be a big enough deterrent," she said.

The offence carries three demerit points and a $300 fine $100 more than for eating on a train or putting feet on a seat.

Last year, 170 level-crossing collisions occurred across the state, damaging boom gates three times a week.

Commuter advocacy group Back on Track wants the State Government to suspend the licences of drivers who hit boom gates and make them pay for repairs.

Spokesman Robert Dow said the social and economic impact of the incidents was enormous.

"Is it going to take a major disaster for the Government to move?"

[ozbob]

"Being hit by a train should be a big enough deterrent," she said.

What a sad response ...

[#Metro]

"Being hit by a train should be a big enough deterrent," she said.

Um, no... look at all the incidents that have happened this year!
A train at peak hour carrying 900 people in peak hour hitting a car or being delayed can plunge the entire train
system into chaos.

January
January 10 - Bridge strike at Enoggera
January 19 -  Level crossing incident at Wacol
Janurary 25 - Truck under rail bridge South Bank station
January 31 - Truck under rail bridge Oxley Road, Corinda

February
February 3 - Level crossing incident, South Pine Road, Strathpine

March
March 15 -  Level crossing incident at Hendra
March 17th -  Level crossing incident at South Pine Road, Stathpine

April
April 14 - Level crossing incident at Runcorn

May
May 12 - Level crossing incident at Edens Landing
May 13 - Level crossing incident at South Pine Road, Alderly

[#Metro]

And a quick analysis of 2010 for all-year data:

January
January 11 - Level crossing incident at Bethania
January 12 - Level crossing incident at Newmarket
January 13 - Level crossing at Caboolture
January 13 - Level crossing at Shorncliffe
January 20 - Level crossing incident at Northgate
January 21 - Level crossing incident at Wacol

February
February 25th - Bridge striake at Indooroopilly

March
March 30 Bridge strike at Graceville

April
April 19 Bridge strike at Rocklea

May
May 30 Level crossing incident at Caboolture

June
June 15 Level crossing incident at Alderly
June 16 Bridge strike at Toowong
June 17 Bridge strike at Goodna
June 29 Level crossing incident at Kuraby
June 30 Bride strike at Muriel Ave

July
July 26 Bridge strike Allan Tce Corinda/Oxley

August
August 11 Level crossing incident Landsborough

September
September 27 Level crossing incident at Bald Hills

October
October 5 Level crossing incident Caboolture line
October 8 Level crossing incident Coorparoo
October 10 Level crossing incident Caboolture
October 14 Level crossing incident Morayfield

November
November 30 Level crossing incident Sunshine

December
December 13 Level crossing incident Bethania

[#Metro]

January and June seem to be the season for doing silly things... not sure about October...

The main reasons for delays, in rough order and excluding the above-

Signal Faults
Track Faults
Police Incidents
Overhead Power failures
Storms and Flooding
Precision cross issues
Medical emergencies

[#Metro]

So...now to test my theory... I predict June will have a few level crossing incidents/bridge strikes.

Maybe it is because of end of financial year and everyone is stressed? Doesn't seem like some logical link here yet as to why January and June seem to be prone... have not looked at 2009 data from the threads yet.

[#Metro]

Time to get Bridge strikes and also level crossing incidents put into TransLink tracker!!!

[somebody]

"Being hit by a train should be a big enough deterrent," she said.

What a sad response ...

Indeed, but what is the experience in Melbourne? I've dug up this document for the whole state: http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/DOIElect.nsf/$UNIDS+for+Web+Display/AC9D00EA2BBEB999CA25766F007F35DC/$FILE/LevelCrossingStrategy.pdf

It does show that boom gates are no guarantee of no fatalities.

In fact, OH&S people always argue about a strong correlation between near misses, minor incidents and fatalities.  Shouldn't something be done about these level crossing incidents?  Even if they don't care about the inconvenience to commuters, something should be done from a road safety point of view.

[ozbob]

Long St Graceville.  The bridge warning device has been in place for a while now.  I can't recall a bridge strike since the tell-tails were put in place ..
This took a number of years to convince the authorities that some protection was needed.









Photographs R Dow 29th August 2011

[somebody]

I think there may have been issues at Sylvan Rd in spite of the barriers though?

[ozbob]

I think there may have been issues at Sylvan Rd in spite of the barriers though?

But certainly seems a lot less frequent?   Hard to stop all idiots absolutely, steel cross beams may help to achieve that ...

[ozbob]

Groan ...

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

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1315211496

Ipswich/Rosewood services delayed: Booval station

Services in both directions on the Ipswich/ Rosewood line have been suspended due to a vehicle hitting the Bergin Street bridge at Booval.

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

Bridge strike?

--> http://bit.ly/pnNpXd

Image Bergin St
Booval QLD 4304

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Wedged truck delays evening commuters

Wedged truck delays evening commuters

    Kate Higgins
    From: The Courier-Mail
    September 05, 2011 9:22PM

TRAINS are running as normal along the Ipswich/Rosewood line after a truck that got stuck under the bridge at the Booval train station was freed.

Train services were briefly suspended about 6.30pm after the truck became wedged.

Services resumed abut 20 minutes later, with the Ipswich to Central trains experiencing delays of about 15 minutes.

A police spokesman said the truck was cleared shortly afterwards, "barely scratching" the bridge.
The truck driver was not injured.

A Translink spokesman said all services were tonight back to normal.

[ozbob]

Idiot alert ...  and why the Government needs to get doubly serious re bridge strikes ..

From the South Coast Register click here!

Trains back on track after costly crash


http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/large/1417666.jpg

STOPPED: The scene of Wednesday's truck crash into a rail bridge in Berry.

Trains back on track after costly crash
BY ADAM WRIGHT
09 Sep, 2011 08:42 AM
TRAINS resumed between Kiama and Bomaderry yesterday afternoon shortly after the completion of emergency repairs to a rail bridge that was hit by a truck at Berry on Wednesday.

The truck crashed into the rail bridge on Tannery Road, closing the South Coast line.

A train approaching the scene was stopped and turned back to Bomaderry where passengers were transferred to buses.

No injuries were sustained in the collision, however the truck driver was issued with an infringement notice.

The track and steel walkway beside it were buckled, and bolts holding the track to the concrete supports were snapped.

While many commuters were able to use the buses that replaced the trains, as a heavy rail user the operation at Manildra suffered.

Manildra Starches manager Ming Leung said the loss of trains had cost the company significantly.

"It's a major disruption to us not being able to have trains come on site," he said.

"We use the rail more than twice a day to bring in wheat and flour and to take away containers.

"It's our lifeline.

"It has affected some parts to our operation that had run out of raw material.

"We had to transport containers by road. It's a significant cost," Mr Leung said.

"We didn't need this only a week after a planned three-week track closure.

"At least during that time we had a number of hours where we could bring trains in."

[ozbob]

Mind your head! Mike Ponsonby BA warns of the dangers of bridge strikes and how to avoid them

click --> here!

[Golliwog]

Mind your head! Mike Ponsonby BA warns of the dangers of bridge strikes and how to avoid them

click --> here!

UK has 5 strikes per day. I wonder what the stat is for the whole of Australia?