Level crossings and Grade separation - level crossing removal

[ozbob]

What I would like see added to LXs is a sign:

PASS RED FLASHING LIGHTS
AND YOU LOSE YOUR LICENCE

[somebody]

What I would like see added to LXs is a sign:

PASS RED FLASHING LIGHTS
AND YOU LOSE YOUR LICENCE

There would need to be an amber light for that to be reasonable.

[ozbob]

And that should be provided.  Either as standard traffic signals or specially adapted amber warning lights, that trigger 10 seconds or so, depending on road speed limits,  before the red lights start flashing.

Pass a red flashing light and it is absolute.  Circuits would be set up as for now with red light cameras if you cross on yellow you don't get pinged. Cross on red you get pinged.

[SurfRail]

I'm currently plotting a Google Maps KMZ identifying all the LXs on the City network, and some of the ones on adjacent working lines (eg Port of Brisbane, Acacia Ridge etc)

From that, I'm thinking we could have a debate about what the appropriate treatment is for each (eg close, grade-separate, retain as is, retain with improvements etc).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th November 2012

The solution? Re: Level crossings

Greetings,

One of the major issues with level crossings is people ' running the red flashing lights '.  This has to change, pass red flashing level crossing lights and you should automatically lose your licence.

How to achieve that?  Simple really, you put either standard traffic lights or modified amber warning lights on the crossing approach that work in conjunction with the level crossing flashing lights.

The amber light is triggered a short period (say 10 seconds, would vary depending on road speeds) before the red crossing lights start flashing.

Any vehicle operator that passes red flashing lights is then liable to licence disqualification.  This simple initiative would transform behaviours.

Additionally signs  as follows should be placed on approaches to level crossings.

PASS RED FLASHING LIGHTS
AND YOU LOSE YOUR LICENCE



Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent all outlets:

11th November 2012

Level crossings ....

Greetings,

Train drivers in Melbourne upset, and rightly so -->  Train drivers blame motorists ignoring signals  http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/train-drivers-blame-motorists-ignoring-signals-20121105-28u3z.html

Time Governments faced up to the reality of 172 level crossings on the suburban network in Melbourne, 54 on the suburban network in Brisbane and around 10 in Sydney.

There are thousands more of course throughout the country.

The issue is motorists who drive without proper care and attention, and those who ignore red lights  and speed through closing crossings and some who actually drive around down boom gates!

Grade separation is utopia and is not going to be achieved in our life times.  So get real and force motorists, heavy vehicle operators and others to obey the safety laws and regulations.  If they don't, ban them for life.

People who do not obey basic road rules are best off the road and on the train.  Time you toughened up Ministers for Transport everywhere.  You need to act, and act now!  The next episode of carnage will be blood on your hands.  It is clear what needs to be done.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

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

4th November 2012

Level crossings ....

Greetings,

Another serious level crossing incident at Dandenong South Victoria -->   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9221.0

Governments all over Australia are kidding themselves if they think their safety campaigns and token fines and sanctions are effective.  They are not.  Near misses continue to increase and the risks resulting from idiots loose on the roads with killing machines just exacerbates.

The Victorian Premier has described it as a tragedy. How true ... a tragedy how successive governments have allowed festering grade separation issues to remain unresolved,  a tragedy how they have failed to enforce basic road rules with aggressive fines and serious sanctions.  Red light running is all too common as the tally of hundreds of near misses reported by operators all over mounts.

In Victoria as reported in the Melbourne Age  http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/safety-fears-after-fatal-crash-20121103-28qir.html

" ... Last week, Fairfax revealed a significant increase in near misses between trains and vehicles at Victorian level crossings, with Dandenong recording the highest number of incidents.

Across the state, there were 170 near misses in 2011-12, compared with 146 the previous year. The number of incidents involving trains and track-side workers at level crossings went from 160 to 290 in that time.

Dandenong recorded nine near misses between vehicles and trains, Noble Park seven, and Springvale four, leading to concerns of increasing motorist frustration along the heavily congested Dandenong corridor. ... "

It is only going to get worse as traffic intensity, train and road increases.  Yes, tragedy all right Premier, yours and governments past and present all over Australia ...

Universal grade separation is not going occur anytime soon.  Governments need to get fair dinkum, level crossing breaches first offence  minimum 12 months licence suspension, second offence life.  This will greatly assist no doubt in bringing these idiots under control.

Place traffic signals additional to the standard railway crossing warning lights, booms and signs on approaches to higher risk crossings.  See here for some examples -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2391.msg110697#msg110697

More needs to be done in terms of education - more education targeted directly to motorists and heavy vehicle operators, and of course ongoing grade separation.  Prominent ' red light ' cameras.

Pedestrians and cyclists also need to obey rules and regulations.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

And it continues ...

ABC News --> Man injured in Victorian train crash

[ozbob]

Night, headlights of train on ...  read this article .. the idiots just don't care ...  put them off the road!

Geelong Advertiser --> Driver hurt in Bellarine tourist train crash

... The collision followed two near misses on the same night, he said.

"So, (it was a case of) three strikes," Mr Bridger said. "One (near miss) was seconds before we hit this bloke ... and the other one was on the way to Drysdale." ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Transport Safety Vic ‏@TSVsafety

Safer level crossing speed limits for regional Victoria http://ow.ly/fisck  #railsafety

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/5373-safer-level-crossing-speed-limits-for-regional-victoria.html

Safer level crossing speed limits for regional Victoria

Wednesday, 14 November 2012
From the Minister for Roads

The Victorian Coalition Government will provide councils with new speed limit signs to improve safety on local roads approaching level crossings, Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said today.

In 2008, the Victorian Road Safety Committee's Inquiry into Safety at Level Crossings recommended that speed limits leading up to rail crossings should be reduced from 100 km/h to a maximum of 80 km/h.

"I am proud to say that within the next few months, all Victorian councils will receive the reduced speed limit signs to make more than 170 regional level crossings considerably safer for all drivers," Mr Mulder said.

"In 2008 the former Labor Government reduced the speed limit at level crossings on all high speed roads under the control of VicRoads to 80 km/h, but local government roads were not covered.

"Local government will now receive funding to reduce the speed limit on local roads that are sealed and currently have a speed limit of 100 km/h or 110 km/h so they will match the arterial road network."

The results of studies in Victoria and Western Australia have shown that drivers comply with reduced speed limits on the approach to high speed, low volume level crossings, even on railway lines which they know carry few trains.

"We believe that level crossings should be made safer regardless of road and rail traffic numbers. Reducing the speed limit on the approach to crossings will improve safety," Mr Mulder said.

"The Coalition Government strongly believes in supporting local government in maintaining safe and usable roads. This program is in addition to our $160 million Country Roads and Bridges program."

VicRoads will work closely with municipal councils, rail managers and Victoria Police to help ensure a speedy transition from the existing speed limits to the reduced speed limits.

VicTrack will soon begin distributing the new speed limit signs to enable councils to start installing the new speed zones.

[ozbob]

Tragic level crossing crash in Egypt ..

ABC News --> 47 children dead after train hits bus

[somebody]

Tragic level crossing crash in Egypt ..

ABC News --> 47 children dead after train hits bus

Automated gate closing mechanisms can fail too.  LX's are pretty dangerous, sadly.

[mufreight]

When it come to the fimal point the onus is on the motorist to ensure that it is safe to cross the rail right of way, Simon has made the comment that Automated signalling systems for level crossings can fail and yes they do from time to time but when they fail they fail safe clossing the crossing to motor traffic and with crossing protected only by flashing lights the lights go to a continuous flash.
Anyone who gets cleaned up on a level crossing deserves it, they have broken the law to be there anyway, if one is to have any sympathy for anyone involved that sympathy and support should go to the train crew involved as a consequence of the stupidity or recklessness of others who then have to live with the outcome of the incident.

[somebody]

Fairly sure I can remember hearing of instances, besides this one in Egypt, of the Level Crossings failing un-safe.  I don't have the inclination to dig it up right now though.

[ozbob]

Egypt seems to have been a manual crossing.  The level crossing operator was found to be asleep.  You would think though that signals would be on red until the operator closed the gates ...

[ozbob]

Metro trains Melbourne has made a contribution

Campaign web site -->   http://dumbwaystodie.com/

[mufreight]

The basic premise behind all automated signalling equipment in this country is that it fails safe, unfortunately not the case in some other countries and manual systems can fail.
Generaly if operated from a signal box the interlocking prevents the signals from being cleared onless the level crossing gates are closed but where the crossing is remote from a signaling interlocking and relies on a telephone call or bell signals to the gatekeeper it all comes back to human failabity as personal experience has shown when I was involved in a fatal inside of the distant signal but outside of the home with a manualy operated crossing gate, remote from and beyond the sight of the signalman.
The gatekeeper was asleep and the signalman did not follow the set down proceedure and cleared the distant signal without getting a confirmation that the gates were closed.   

[somebody]

So you are saying that if the power fails when the boom gate is raised, it will lower, requiring some sort of wrong side failure to defeat?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Level crossings have reserve power supplies for such instances. The gates will lower and the lights will still flash until he power runs out (crews/police would be on scene before that). And even then if its during the day the lights will still flash as long as there is sunlight. Solar panels. Take up north during cyclong Yasi. No power yet some level crossings were activated and lights flashing. The same can be seen at level crossing derailments as long as  the trackside equipment hasn't been taken out.

[SurfRail]

I was in Adelaide and Victor Harbor over the weekend.

People from QR would be sick to their stomach to see the sheer number of completely unprotected pedestrian crossings of railways there!  Best you get is a maze with a waist high chain-link fence and no gate, even for ones next to road crossings.

[somebody]

Level crossings have reserve power supplies for such instances. The gates will lower and the lights will still flash until he power runs out (crews/police would be on scene before that). And even then if its during the day the lights will still flash as long as there is sunlight. Solar panels. Take up north during cyclong Yasi. No power yet some level crossings were activated and lights flashing. The same can be seen at level crossing derailments as long as  the trackside equipment hasn't been taken out.

That does nothing for the case that the mechanism breaks.

[mufreight]

With boom gates a power outage simply drops the actual booms by gravity and the flashing lights will then go to flash for as long as the batteries last which is generaly in excess of 16 hours if the batteries are at full charge which they should be as they are fed a continuous trickle charge from the power supply source.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Thought some might find this interesting. Its a list of the reported incidents from last year involving level crossings. Its a shame to see that there are a few reports from Mayne on that list.

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/safety/documents/qr4218.28%20near%20miss%20spreadsheet_a4_0612_p1.pdf

Driver advises near miss with b-double truck at Cunningham Highway bypass
road level crossing at Goondiwindi. B double travelling from south to north . Driver
advised that a full emergency brake application was made to bring the train to
stop, while the klaxon was sounded continuously. Level crossing was operating
correctly with lights flashing. Train crew advised that the b-doubled was missed by
approximately 2 metres. Semi trailer stopped just short of the level crossing. Police
advised.

Driver advised as the train approached Beaudesert Road level crossing a male aged
about 30/40 years walked through the level crossing as the gates were down. Male
had on headphones came from the drivers right hand side direction of travel. Driver
advised he missed the person by 10 meters. Travelling at road speed of 70 km/h.

Driver reported a person crossed 30 metres in front of him at Telegraph Road Level
crossing from up side to down side. Train was travelling at 100km/h at the time.

The driver advised that on the approach to Stanley Street East he observed a male
attempting to cross the tracks after pushing through the boom gates. The driver
advised the male stopped suddenly and fell on the ballast. The driver advised he
was travelling about 80 kmh. The driver of train was travelling in the up direction
and witnessed the event and his first thought was the train had struck the male. He
then saw the male regain his feet and depart the area with a limp.

Driver reported a near miss with a male at the Sherwood Road level crossing,
Sherwood. The driver advised the male appeared to be distracted by a mobile
phone conversation and did not step back until the train was approximately 10
metres away travelling at 80km/h.

[#Metro]

These should now be reported and collated in TransLink Tracker under safety. Similar incidents for bus operators (i.e. hitting someone, major crashes) should also be placed in the tracker. Assaults etc per 100 000 passenger trips should also be put in there.

Time to end smiley statistics

[ozbob]

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, November 29, 2012

Level crossing safety is serious

Ignoring level crossing signals and damaging boom gates or other rail equipment now carries the same demerit points as driving 30km/h over the speed limit or a learner driving without a supervisor.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said imposing a four-point demerit loss and maximum $8,800 fine for two new rail crossing road rules showed how seriously the Newman Government viewed level crossing safety.

"These new rules are sending a very clear message to all those careless drivers who deliberately ignore signals – a gamble against the boom gates is gambling your licence, your wallet and your life," Mr Emerson said.

"This year alone, there have been nearly 200 incidents of vehicles damaging boom gates or bridges, causing commuter chaos for tens of thousands of passengers.

"Often at more than $5,000 each, taxpayer funded repair bills for these avoidable incidents has quickly mounted into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We only need to look at the tragic incident earlier this month where a truck collided with a train at a Melbourne level crossing, killing one person and injuring nine others to see how serious these offences are.

"Running the gauntlet at these crossings is simply not worth the risk."

Mr Emerson said the new rules, which take effect from 30 November, related to:

    damaging rail infrastructure at a railway crossing, and
    causing an obstruction to trains or other drivers at a level crossing

The new offences carry a maximum penalty of $8,800, an infringement notice fine of $880 and four demerit points.

[ENDS] 29 November 2012

[somebody]

But no automatic licence suspension.  I think that is what is needed to get the truck drivers attention because then they are gambling with their livelihood.

[ozbob]

But no automatic licence suspension.  I think that is what is needed to get the truck drivers attention because then they are gambling with their livelihood.

+1

[mufreight]

But no automatic licence suspension.  I think that is what is needed to get the truck drivers attention because then they are gambling with their livelihood.

Simon on this one I have to agree with you, it should be an automatic loss of license at least for 6 months for a first offence with full recovery of costs.

[Fares_Fair]

I will be interested to see if these new measures have any impact on the situation, if not then I'd certainly support tougher measures re: licence suspension.
Wait and see for me. 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th November 2012

Level crossings

Greetings,

We note yesterday's statement from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads concerning level crossings (below)

We thank the Minister for again highlighting this important community safety issue and the new level crossing rules.

Our members are of the view that consideration of automatic licence suspension of 6 months for a first offence, life disqualification for a second offence would assist in driving behaviour change.

Additionally more attention needs to be given to incorporating more standard traffic lights in conjunction with the standard railway crossing lights and signs.

One of the major issues with level crossings is people ' running the red flashing lights '.  This has to change, pass red flashing level crossing lights and you should automatically lose your licence.

How to achieve that?  Simple really, you put either standard traffic lights or modified amber warning lights on the crossing approach that work in conjunction with the level crossing flashing lights.

The amber light is triggered a short period (say 10 seconds, would vary depending on road speeds) before the red crossing lights start flashing.

Any vehicle operator who then passes red flashing lights is then liable to licence disqualification.  This simple initiative would transform behaviours.

Any vehicle operator that drives around a down boom gate should immediately be suspended from driving for life in our opinion.

Grade separation is needed.  We welcome the ongoing efforts to grade separate some of the more critical level crossings on the suburban network in Brisbane.  Grade separation is the best outcome, and helps to improve the efficiency of the road transport network and reliability of the rail network.

There are 54 level crossings on the suburban network in south-east Queensland.  Two are being grade separated, but there are still a lot of level crossings remaining.   Many hundreds more of course in rural environments.

Continuing attention to endearing safe driving behaviours, improved community education  and safety improvements needs to be ongoing.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


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

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2012/11/29/level-crossing-safety-is-serious

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, November 29, 2012

Level crossing safety is serious

Ignoring level crossing signals and damaging boom gates or other rail equipment now carries the same demerit points as driving 30km/h over the speed limit or a learner driving without a supervisor.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said imposing a four-point demerit loss and maximum $8,800 fine for two new rail crossing road rules showed how seriously the Newman Government viewed level crossing safety.

"These new rules are sending a very clear message to all those careless drivers who deliberately ignore signals – a gamble against the boom gates is gambling your licence, your wallet and your life," Mr Emerson said.

"This year alone, there have been nearly 200 incidents of vehicles damaging boom gates or bridges, causing commuter chaos for tens of thousands of passengers.

"Often at more than $5,000 each, taxpayer funded repair bills for these avoidable incidents has quickly mounted into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We only need to look at the tragic incident earlier this month where a truck collided with a train at a Melbourne level crossing, killing one person and injuring nine others to see how serious these offences are.

"Running the gauntlet at these crossings is simply not worth the risk."

Mr Emerson said the new rules, which take effect from 30 November, related to:

    damaging rail infrastructure at a railway crossing, and
    causing an obstruction to trains or other drivers at a level crossing

The new offences carry a maximum penalty of $8,800, an infringement notice fine of $880 and four demerit points.

[ENDS] 29 November 2012

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/mbui03/status/276484413913718785/photo/1

[SurfRail]

There is a good piece on LXs in Melbourne in this month's Railway Digest.

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Motoring madness as drivers dice with death at rail crossings

Motoring madness as drivers dice with death at rail crossings
Janine Hill 18th February 2013 5:57 AM

A FRIGHTENING number of motorists are dicing with death on Sunshine Coast level crossings and Queensland Rail officials fear it will end in tragedy.

IN one incident, a motorist drove around lowered boom gates directly in front of an approaching train.

Motorcyclists, pedestrians and even a bus were involved in six level crossing incidents reported to QR on the Sunshine Coast last year.

QR acting chief executive officer Jim Benstead said two near misses occurred on the Bray Rd level crossing at Mooloolah.

"It was reported one motorist travelled through the level crossing when the boom gates were on their way down, and less than a week later, another motorist drove around the full-lowered boom gates," Mr Benstead said.

"Both incidents occurred in front of an approaching City network train."

Two young motorcyclists also risked their lives by riding through a crossing in front of a City network train near Woombye.

Mr Benstead said vehicles drove into boom gates three times on the Coast.

Trucks smashed into boom gates at the Caloundra Street level crossing at Landsborough twice while a witness reported seeing a bus drive into a boom gate at Barrs Rd, Glasshouse Mountains, leaving it lying on the ground.

QR was trying to improve level crossing safety through education, engineering, enforcement and innovation, however motorists needed to play their part by obeying signs and signals at level crossings, Mr Benstead said.

"Some train drivers never recover from the trauma of a collision involving serious injury or death, and even the most experienced is unsettled by the frightening experience of a near miss with a vehicle or pedestrian."

The State Government has doubled the penalty for damaging QR property. Motorists can be fined up to $8800 following a collision with level crossing equipment.

[somebody]

Electric tilt, note double boom gates ...

http://youtu.be/3FtnsDKP4xY

Something which could be added within Brisbane.  Not sure why the large delay between sets of gates starting to open/close.

[petey3801]

Electric tilt, note double boom gates ...

http://youtu.be/3FtnsDKP4xY

Something which could be added within Brisbane.  Not sure why the large delay between sets of gates starting to open/close.

If you mean the delay between one side (say, left hand side) of the boom gates going down before the other side (right), it would be to allow motorists that entered the crossing after the booms started lowering to get out without causing damage to the booms.

[somebody]

If you mean the delay between one side (say, left hand side) of the boom gates going down before the other side (right), it would be to allow motorists that entered the crossing after the booms started lowering to get out without causing damage to the booms.

But that logic doesn't work on opening!  It's still pretty extreme in the case presented.

[petey3801]

If you mean the delay between one side (say, left hand side) of the boom gates going down before the other side (right), it would be to allow motorists that entered the crossing after the booms started lowering to get out without causing damage to the booms.

But that logic doesn't work on opening!  It's still pretty extreme in the case presented.

Not sure why it does the same on opening, might be something to do with the programming of the gates themselves? Not sure really.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/3/20/crosses-campaign-success

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Crosses campaign success

The next phase of Queensland Rail's Crosses campaign will be rolled out today with a new billboard displayed across a train as a reminder to stay safe near level crossings.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the billboard advertising the confronting level crossing safety campaign would travel on the south east Queensland rail network for the next month.

"The campaign focuses on white crosses as a stark reminder of how people gamble with their lives by playing Russian roulette with trains at level crossings," Mr Emerson said.

"Before the Crosses campaign was launched in June last year, there was a nine per cent spike in incidents.

"We have seen this turn around significantly with a reduction of more than 32 per cent in near miss incidents in the second half of 2012, when compared to the same period the previous year.

"In 2012 there were 400 reported near misses at railway crossings across the Queensland Rail network, down from 472 the previous year.

"While these statistics are improving, too many Queenslanders are still taking risks when one mistake around a railway crossing could be fatal."

Last year 243 motorists and 157 pedestrians were nearly hit by trains, while there were 10 collisions between vehicles and trains.

Queensland Rail Acting CEO Jim Benstead said in the lead up to Easter, billboards would also be placed at hotspots around the state, including Cairns, Mackay and Bundaberg, and at Brisbane railway crossings including Murarrie, Geebung, Deagon, Mitchelton and Wynnum North.

"Any near miss is one too many, which is why we will continue our efforts through the Crosses campaign to reduce the number of railway crossing incidents this year," Mr Benstead said.

"Motorists are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and avoid tragedy at a railway crossing by simply obeying the signs and signals."

For further information www.queenslandrail.com.au (external site) or www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail (external site)

[ENDS] 20 March 2013

[HappyTrainGuy]

Timetable mods also had a large part in minimizing level crossing incidents eg trains meet at the same time even out of service movements.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Queensland's 10 worst level crossings: train drivers

Queensland's 10 worst level crossings: train drivers
March 26, 2013 - 12:01AM Bridie Jabour

Almost half of Queensland's top 10 worst level crossings are in southeast Queensland, according to the train drivers.

Rail industry group TrackSAFE, which has a particular focus on reducing fatalities at level crossings, have released the level crossings that drivers rate as the most dangerous in Queensland.

Rocklea, Bethania, Coopers Plains and Alderley all feature on the list along with the central Queensland crossings of Dingo, Blackwater, Gladstone, Oxford and Gracemere as well as the far north Queensland crossing of Mundoo near the Innisfail Airport.

TrackSAFE said the list came from drivers who suffered profound and lasting trauma as a result of being exposed to crashes with cars and people's suicides on the network.

"It is the train drivers who go over the same stretch of track day in, day out, over many years who know where the most risky level crossings are," TrackSAFE Director and Australasian Railway Association chief executive Bryan Nye said.

"... Approaching level crossings can be a significant source of anxiety for drivers who have witnessed countless near collisions at them.

"The more promptly risky level crossings are upgraded, the sooner drivers will feel safer at work."

TrackSAFE has written to Transport Minister Scott Emerson, calling for the problems with the crossings to be addressed.

The industry group would like to see the end of level crossings on busy roads all together, saying these crossings should be replaced with bridges or underpasses.

"Train drivers have important knowledge on this issue which must inform the discussion," Mr Nye said.

"There are thousands of near collisions at level crossings each year; each one of these is just seconds away from becoming potentially catastrophic."

[SurfRail]

Argh.  The Beaudesert Road one could be closed tomorrow with no issues...

(Apparently it was used as a flood evacuation route - in which case just put a locked gate on either side in case it needs to be used in emergencies.)