Level crossings and Grade separation - level crossing removal

[p858snake]

The union has renewed its calls for the state government to closely consider introducing the Pixie radio break-in system at level crossings, after a truck carrying two people was hit by a Sunlander passenger train on the Bruce Highway at Bambaroo yesterday.

And it wouldn't of done anything in that situation (based on the google maps street view) there is no crossing lights so I'm guessing there really that much in the way of signalling gear there which would be needed, no a easy way to hook into a power source (unless you did solar). The area is also a dirt road so i'm guessing its a more low use area with low traffic.

So times you can add all the flashing lights and devices you want but it won't do any good and possibly cause more issues due to the risk it's more likley to be unmaintained as regularly as it should do to area/access so increases the risk.

[ozbob]

From Quest Brisbane North click here!

Costly reminder to be vigilant at rail crossings

Costly reminder to be vigilant at rail crossings

    Chris Walker, Northside Chronicle

QUEENSLAND Rail say they make no apologies for seeking recovery costs following boom gate strikes.

A driver who significantly damaged level crossing infrastructure in Banyo had a costly reminder about being vigilant around rail protection, forced to pay more than $3600 in repair costs.

Queensland Rail chief executive officer Paul Scurrah said after a boom gate was hit all trains were stopped for safety reasons, until police confirmed it was safe to resume services.

"A collision with our level crossing infrastructure is not only costly to repair, but can cause significant delays to our customers," he said.

Queensland Rail investigates about 100 potential claims per year. Motorists have been pursued for damage to boom gates, signalling equipment and fencing with bills often exceeding $10,000.

Mr Scurrah said Queensland Rail would continue to take a hard line against those who do the wrong thing at level crossings.

"Most people do the right thing, however on a daily basis people are running in front of trains or pushing the limit too far by trying to beat the boom gates," he said.

"Motorists who have been forced to pay the damage bill at level crossings have probably gotten off lightly, at least they weren't killed by being hit by a train."

[Fares_Fair]

Well done Mr Scurrah, CEO of Queensland Rail for pursuing these costs. 

Once word gets out that there is even more at stake than just one's life (and the lives of others in the vehicle), people will think twice.
Penalties should also be enforced by the Government - the Government is on a money winner here.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Cheap thrill creates 'sickening' memory

Cheap thrill creates 'sickening' memory
Marissa Calligeros
August 23, 2011 - 12:46PM

Queensland Rail will test new safety lock gates at five level crossings in Brisbane in a bid to stop impatient pedestrians risking their lives.

The trial of the new locks comes after one man was struck and killed by a train as he darted across a level crossing on Newman Road in Geebung on July 12.

QR engineers have designed the safety lock to be tested for one month at Geebung, Woodridge, Morayfield, Murarrie and Wynnum Central, where the highest number of near-misses involving pedestrians have been recorded.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The safety lock will be rolled out across the state if the trial is successful.

In the last financial year, there were 613 near-miss incidents at level crossings predominantly in the south-east corner.

The latest statistics show there has been a 33 per cent reduction in near-miss incidents involving cars in the past financial year, while near-misses involving pedestrians have decreased 15 per cent.

QR chief executive Paul Scurrah said most near-miss incidents involved pedestrians who either pushed through safety gates or ran underneath boom gates.

"In the last month there have been three tragic reminders of the importance of vigilance at level crossings, yet every day there are more and more examples of people who don't have the patience or the sense to simply wait for a train to pass through a level crossing," he said.

"We will continue to take every measure possible to deter anyone from putting their lives at risk.

"If you're even thinking about taking risks, perhaps if you consider the important things in your life which are worth waiting for will change your mind."

With the launch of the new safety lock, QR released today more CCTV footage of near-misses at two Brisbane train stations as part of National Rail Safety Week.

The footage shows one incident involving a group of teenage thrill-seekers lying beside the tracks as a train sped by at 140km/h near Robina.

"This incident was so close, the train driver thought he had hit them," Mr Scurrah said.

"The families of those involved may never realise how close they came to having a police officer turn up on their doorstep to tell them some devastating and tragic news.

"For the sake of a cheap thrill our train driver was given the fright of his life, and will have to live with that sickening memory forever."

Another clip of CCTV footage (shown in the above video) shows one man trying to cross the tracks at Fortitude Valley station on June 25. He falls, but manages to climb onto the platform seconds before a train speeds past.

Mr Scurrah said pedestrians who ignored the safety signs, gates and flashing lights could face hefty fines.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cheap-thrill-creates-sickening-memory-20110823-1j7q2.html

[ozbob]

Wacol level crossing is complicated by the two lines that access sidings.  The incorporation of red traffic signals with the standard red flashing lights seems to have helped control traffic at this confusing crossing.  Wacol level crossing has seen fatalities in the past.

From Google Maps next two images










Photographs R Dow 10th September 2011

[Derwan]

Not Australia... but goes to show what can happen if lights and boom gates are ignored:

http://player.video.news.com.au/couriermail/?2129769909

[Derwan]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/central/rail-crossing-safety-trial/story-fn8ygho7-1226142789674

Rail crossing safety trial

THE Murarrie rail crossing will be one of five in the state to trial a new safety lock system to stop pedestrians from taking unnecessary risks.

The Queensport Rd level crossing consistently ranks as one of the worst in Queensland for near-miss incidents involving motorists, pedestrians and trains.

Earlier this year a CCTV camera was installed to help catch and deter offenders.

Figures released by Queensland Rail showed there were 613 near-miss incidents at level crossings in the last financial year, a 15 per cent reduction compared to the previous year.

Queensland Rail CEO Paul Scurrah said most incidents involved pedestrians who either pushed through safety gates or ran underneath boom gates.

"Every crossing throughout the City network has boom gates and flashing lights, leaving motorists and pedestrians no excuse to put their lives at risk," he said.

"Every day there are more and more examples of people who don't have the patience or the sense to simply wait for a train to pass through a level crossing."

Mr Scurrah said the new trial initiative was an example of QR's commitment to doing everything possible to save lives, but hoped pedestrians would follow the rules.

"We will continue to take every measure possible to deter anyone from putting their lives at risk," he said.

[ozbob]

Unconfirmed report on radio 612 ABC Brisbane a Tilt and car together north of Mackay ...

[ozbob]

Unconfirmed report on radio 612 ABC Brisbane a Tilt and car together north of Mackay ...

Confirmed, no other details yet available ..

[ozbob]

Unconfirmed report on radio 612 ABC Brisbane a Tilt and car together north of Mackay ...

Confirmed, no other details yet available ..

ABC Radio news reports no injuries,  train stopped,  damage  being assessed.  Hope full cost recovery is done.

[ozbob]

Unconfirmed report on radio 612 ABC Brisbane a Tilt and car together north of Mackay ...

Confirmed, no other details yet available ..

ABC Radio news reports no injuries,  train stopped,  damage  being assessed.  Hope full cost recovery is done.

Brisbanetimes --> Tilt train collides with car

Straight road, straight rail line ...

--> http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-21.08902,149.074506&spn=0.004029,0.008256&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6&lci=weather

[ozbob]

Re  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/tilt-train-collides-with-car-20120119-1q768.html

Maybe the car collided with the train?  Why are headlines written as if the train is in the wrong?

In due course the real blame will be found out.

Idiots just don't obey road rules.  Look at the carnage the past days ...

Best wishes
Robert

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Driver walks away when his car collides with Tilt Train at Farleigh, near Mackay

...

[Jonas Jade]

Re  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/tilt-train-collides-with-car-20120119-1q768.html

Maybe the car collided with the train?  Why are headlines written as if the train is in the wrong?

Totally agree with this statement. It's pretty difficult for a train to go off course or even be in the wrong in these circumstances!

I think some people take their safety too much "for granted"... 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Probs wanted to test how good his cars breaks were at stopping the CTT. Still needs to iron out some of the kinks imo.

[Fares_Fair]

Couriermail --> Driver walks away when his car collides with Tilt Train at Farleigh, near Mackay

...

Fixed.

[ghostryder]

Here is a picture of the Tilt train after the car hit it, the picture is not mine it was sent to me.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401500_3044522120962_1500406763_33020948_1862190934_n.jpg

There are a lot of people from a number of states that dont know how to drive through or across a level crossing. I have at times taken several pictures of train from near a couple of level crossings. The worst i saw was a couple from Queensland crossing the Marina Dr crossing just north of Coffs Station they actually stopped in the middle of the crossing stopped over the track and looked both ways for trains. This crossing has lights and bells but still stopping mid crossing too look is not a good place to be doing it from.

scott

[HappyTrainGuy]

I've seen cows do the same amount of damage

Its only cosmetic damage. It's an easy fix as the whole front/side panel is removable. Pretty sure she's also making the return journey Townsville-Roma Street with passengers today  

They should send him the bill for repairs and labour haha 

[ozbob]

I've seen cows do the same amount of damage

Its only cosmetic damage. It's an easy fix as the whole front/side panel is removable. Pretty sure she's also making the return journey Townsville-Roma Street with passengers today  

They should send him the bill for repairs and labour haha 

Absolutely, full cost recovery ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Another incident at Deagon today involving someone not realising trains go past in both directions Seems some people will never learn until its too late.

[ozbob]

Report on 612 ABC radio, Tilt and motor vehicle collision Rockhampton.  Pax by bus to Brisbane.  No injuries on train, car driver some injuries.  Tilt will need repairs.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Report on 612 ABC radio, Tilt and motor vehicle collision Rockhampton.  Pax by bus to Brisbane.  No injuries on train, car driver some injuries.  Tilt will need repairs.

Wasn't a big impact but the driver was lucky that he wasn't a metre forward otherwise it would have been a direct impact to the drivers door. Once again mostly cosmetic damage to the body work similar to the previous incident.

[SurfRail]

One of my major creeds is "Everybody is completely stupid most of the time (including me)".

Even still, I cannot understand just how stupid you would have to be to get hit by a train at a level crossing in a car, unless you have actually stalled out or been hit with an EMP! 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Said car. Train... What train...

http://www.qt.com.au/story/2012/02/23/ute-hits-tilt-train-rocky/

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Tilt train hits car driven by teen

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/tilt-train-hits-car-driven-by-teen/story-e6freoof-1226278989081

THREE young men were lucky to escape serious injury after their car collided with a tilt train in Rockhampton.
A 17-year-old, 16-year-old and 20-year-old received only minor injuries overnight after they were struck by the train at the intersection of William St and Denison St at around 2.10am.

It is believed they drove through the intersection when the crash happened and their car was dragged for several metres by the train before coming to a stop.

The 17-year-old driver had a broken arm while his passengers were taken to Rockhampton Base Hospital with minor injuries.

No one on board the train was injured.

Police investigations are continuing.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Train services resume on Shorncliffe line after car hits boom gate at Palm Avenue crossing

Train services resume on Shorncliffe line after car hits boom gate at Palm Avenue crossing

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    March 12, 2012 10:19AM

TRAIN services have resumed on the Shorncliffe line after a hit-and-run collision with a boom gate.

Around 9am, a car struck the arm of a boom at the Palm Avenue crossing and then drove off.

Buses were organised to ferry commuters between Sandgate and Shorncliffe stations but the boom gate was repaired just before 10am.

A Translink spokeswoman said services have now resumed and travellers should not face delays because the stations involved are at the end of the line.

In 2011, Queensland Rail recorded almost 200 level crossing collisions as a result of motorists ignoring red flashing lights and trying "to beat the boom gates".

Another 225 people were almost hit by trains at level crossings despite signage, self-locking gates and flashing lights.

The worst crossings for near-misses and collisions in Brisbane are Florence Street, Wynnum Central, Queensport Road Murarrie and Wynnum North Road at Wynnum North.

[#Metro]

Ah the joys of a 'legacy' network. 
It was cheap to build... but nasty to operate!

Frequency on the shorncliffe line is an abomination, as is the station with one platform on the side.

[somebody]

Ah the joys of a 'legacy' network. 
It was cheap to build... but nasty to operate!

Frequency on the shorncliffe line is an abomination, as is the station with one platform on the side.

I don't mind that station.

The one which annoys me is the station with the platforms they can't/won't use.

[SurfRail]

Ah the joys of a 'legacy' network. 
It was cheap to build... but nasty to operate!

Frequency on the shorncliffe line is an abomination, as is the station with one platform on the side.

I don't mind that station.

The one which annoys me is the station with the platforms they can't/won't use.

Shorncliffe itself.  Not a huge issue really - a single track terminus is no excuse for not running TUAG service.

There are DDA issues with the second platform at Sandgate, and in the absence of a 15 minute timetable there is not much point in using it until it gets fixed later in the year.

[somebody]

^ I'm aware of that.  These issues didn't materialise suddenly though.  There must have been at some point some decision to say "Nah, we won't fix Sandgate's back platform, let's just stop using it." !

[#Metro]

I think there is an evolution of legacy commuter rail

Stage 1: Commuter rail lines all feeding a common core, because it is cheap
Stage 2: Extensions of those lines
Stage 3: Pressure to build spur lines off those common core lines in keeping with the "rail everywhere" and "I want a spur line to go past my house" (They've managed to suppress this in Toronto, not so much in Melbourne). Spur lines are seen as cheap and quick to do. Level crossings are cheap too.
Stage 4: Spur lines block the central core leading to a major capacity crisis, simply due to basic geometry rules which dictate that everything to the centre and spur lines are a huge gross inefficiency
Stage 5: Massive phenomenal cost is then spent on unblocking the core (you know, like some major sewerage blockage down your loo)
Stage 6: Slow and eventual separation of the lines over time and de-centralisation of the lines (Melbourne metro etc).

This is the thing- all this comes about from putting off the cost in the initial stages, but then allowing it to accumulate into a massive super-cost project later on once the network is riddled with major restrictions and problems from band-aids on everything. This is why it is so important to have basic minimum standards for infrastructure. You'll get a smaller network but can run decent frequency and capacity on it (Toronto does everything Melbourne and Sydney do, with far far less infrastructure and less cash to operate as well).

Perth and Brisbane are arguably at Stage 3 - Richlands, Kippa-Ring, Trouts Road, Thornlie...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Pretty sure P2 is still fully operational from a running aspect. Because of translinks lack of frequency resulting in the fantastic timetabling, upkeep and DDA its easier to have everything via the one platform at Sandgate until the time arises that funding is available to upgrade the station to meet full DDA requirements.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Railway crossing warnings fall on deaf ears

[ozbob]

Twitter

Stacey Milner ‏ @StaceyMilner

Gates with new locking system to keep people off level crossing at Wynnum Cntrl Stn. @612brisbane @QueenslandRail http://pic.twitter.com/0eanuu47

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

Stacey Milner ‏ @StaceyMilner

Coffee cups issued to local Wynnum cafes to spread the rail crossing safety message. @612brisbane @QueenslandRail http://pic.twitter.com/chyWYu2M

[Golliwog]

Twitter

Stacey Milner ‏ @StaceyMilner

Gates with new locking system to keep people off level crossing at Wynnum Cntrl Stn. @612brisbane @QueenslandRail http://pic.twitter.com/0eanuu47

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

Stacey Milner ‏ @StaceyMilner

Coffee cups issued to local Wynnum cafes to spread the rail crossing safety message. @612brisbane @QueenslandRail http://pic.twitter.com/chyWYu2M

I thought those gate were old school? Perhaps those are the gates they used to have at Ferny Grove?

[ozbob]

From the Townsville Bulletin click here!

Truckie risks life racing boom gate

Truckie risks life racing boom gate

TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN  |  April 16th, 2012

A TRUCK driver who narrowly escaped death is facing a backlash from Queensland Rail after hitting lowering boom gates and almost colliding with a tilt train.

The near-tragedy took place at the Pilkington St level crossing in Garbutt, which is protected by signage, flashing lights and boom gates.

The train stopped just in time and resulted in a 23-minute delay to the south-bound Cairns Tilt Train service.

Queensland Rail acting chief executive officer Jim Benstead said motorists were risking their lives and the lives of customers and train crew to save a few minutes.

"Despite the potentially deadly consequences, motorists continue to drive through or around boom gates, ignore flashing lights or signs and pedestrians continue to risk their lives crossing tracks in front of trains," he said. With the train just seconds away, the truck driver ignored the level crossing protection, smashing into the gate leaving it bent across the rail line.

"I shudder to think about what may have happened if the timing had been different," Mr Benstead said.

"This truck driver was obviously willing to risk his or her own life, but there is no excuse for risking the lives of our customers and our train crew."

Queensland Rail has reported the incident to police.

[#Metro]

The boom gates need to be modified themselves to have two cameras attached on the boom so that when the boom is lowered, the camera is pointing straight at the driver!

There should be a little sign attached to the boom saying "RECORDED CROSSING" or something like that.

Time to come down on these clowns like a tonne of bricks!!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Pointless mounting them on the boomgate arm themselves as the camera is restricted to the degree of what the boomgate arm is at. That's also providing the level crossing has a boomgate. Take the SMU hitting the truck at Strathpine last year. The boomgate lowered onto the tiptray and was then damaged when it reversed backwards into the stationary car. Same goes for alot of the hit and runs and general boomgate strikes at crossings. Far more effective to continue what they are already doing across the entire Queensland network and installing two cameras on each side of the level crossing (Geebung/Coopers Plains are two very well known ones in Brisbane that work similar to red light cameras along with providing video of the incidents too).

[Gazza]

Having a camera on the boomgate itself leaves it liable to damage.

[#Metro]

I think it is possible. It just needs to be obvious so that it is a big detterent. These people obviously think they can get away with it and no-one will see them. BT buses have cameras on it, both inside and outside so why can't boom gate intersections be monitored in the same way?