Level crossings and Grade separation - level crossing removal

[ozbob]

 

Queenslanders are different ....  just look at our fare system in SEQ?  lol

[ghostryder]

Bob
I noticed that when in the Sunshine state late last year, down here in NSW certain concession cards once you buy the initial ticket you can travel on it for the rest of the day without to many hassles.

Scott

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail trains to continue running when motorists hit boom gates

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th March 2014

Level crossings

Greetings,

A small but useful move concerning managing the chaos that occurs when motor vehicles strike boom gates.

Courier Mail

Queensland Rail trains to continue running when motorists hit boom gates

This does nothing for the chaos to the road system however that follows these strikes.  It is time to consider licence suspensions for these blatant breaches of the road rules.

The present system of fines and damage recovery costs is not working.  Vehicle drivers are still attempting to run the red flashing lights often.  Other times it is just driving without due attention and care, and one wonders whether these people should be allowed to drive, as they are constantly putting themselves and others in potential jeopardy.

Red light cameras, and additional traffic lights at key level crossings may help change behaviours as well.

Grade separation is the goal in the end.  This is not going be achieved for all level crossings any time soon, if ever.  So further sanctions are necessary in our opinion, together with education and cameras to bring this under some sort of control before there is further loss of life and injury.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Boomgate strike measure keeps trains running

Queensland Rail will introduce further measures to tackle boomgate strikes with new procedures allowing trains to continue to operate.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said Queensland Rail had listened to passengers' frustration, and from Monday (March 10) would introduce a new procedure at railway crossings across the state to keep trains moving when these incidents occurred.

"From Monday, if a motorist strikes a boomgate, trains will be directed to safely pass through the railway crossing at a restricted speed of 5km per hour provided all other signs and signals are operational," Mr Emerson said.

"This procedure has been adopted from the Australian Network Rules and Procedures and follows similar successful implementations in other states around the country.

"Through better planning and better infrastructure we are delivering flyovers at Robinson Rd, Geebung and Telegraph Rd, Bracken Ridge and have increased the penalties for crashing into boomgates.

"This is a sensible step that will keep passengers moving and limit the knock-on delays to the network while repair crews and traffic control arrive on scene."

In 2013, there were 178 incidents where vehicles collided with boomgates and other protective infrastructure at railway crossings. So far this year, there have been 35 boomgate strikes reported throughout Queensland.

Mr Emerson said on the first day of the rollout of new timetables on January 20, a motorist struck a boomgate near Fruit Grove station on the Beenleigh line, which caused 179 trains to run late and cost commuters more than 69 hours of lost time.

"I'm pleading with motorists to be vigilant at railway crossings and obey all signs and signals," he said.

"Motorists who damage Queensland Rail infrastructure can be fined up to $8800 and since July 2013 we have pursued costs for 49 incidents and recovered more than $220,000 that would otherwise be borne by taxpayers."

[ozbob]

Boomgate strike measure keeps trains running

[ozbob]

Media release 21st February 2014 re-released 24th February 2014 re-released 9th March 2014



SEQ: Chaos! Level crossings incidents and bridge strikes continue ...

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has again called for urgent action to bring bridge strikes and level crossing incidents under some sort of control (1, 2, 3).

"It is farcical that bridge strikes and level crossing incidents are allowed to occur month after month with seemingly little action to address the fundamental issues.  A Government is elected to act.  It is time that action was taken."

"Drivers continue to race red flashing lights and crash into boom gates. Accelerating procedures to get trains running again after a boom gate strike are welcome, however it is still very much 'treating the symptoms' rather than establishing a proper preventative strategy (4) ."

"Clearly, the present system of drivers theoretically knowing the travelling height and width of their vehicle before they start a journey is not working.  Warning signs are ignored. Protective beams are driven into as well as bridges. Another bridge strike yesterday."

"There is increasing frustration at the local government level and within the public transport community generally at the failure to roll out solutions to fix these problems."

"The serious risk of bridge strikes is that eventually a major incident may occur with possible loss of life. The bridge strike at Nambour changed the rail alignment. Had a train hit that at full speed there may well have been a derailment with consequent serious injury, loss of life and much damage."

"The disruption and delays to the road and public transport network that follows these bridge strikes and drivers hitting boom gates is very costly for the community."

"Clearly the present sanctions and cost recovery mechanisms are not influencing driver behaviours.  It is time that an automatic licence suspensions be implemented for these offences.  First offence at least six months licence suspension, increased fines and full cost recovery.  Second offence, off the road for life.  Nothing else it seems will endear the necessary behaviour changes."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg139342#msg139342

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg139444#msg139444

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10484.msg139843#msg139843

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2391.msg139823#msg139823

Contact:

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

Sent to all outlets:

7th March 2014

Level crossings

Greetings,

A small but useful move concerning managing the chaos that occurs when motor vehicles strike boom gates.

Courier Mail

Queensland Rail trains to continue running when motorists hit boom gates

This does nothing for the chaos to the road system however that follows these strikes.  It is time to consider licence suspensions for these blatant breaches of the road rules.

The present system of fines and damage recovery costs is not working.  Vehicle drivers are still attempting to run the red flashing lights often.  Other times it is just driving without due attention and care, and one wonders whether these people should be allowed to drive, as they are constantly putting themselves and others in potential jeopardy.

Red light cameras, and additional traffic lights at key level crossings may help change behaviours as well.

Grade separation is the goal in the end.  This is not going be achieved for all level crossings any time soon, if ever.  So further sanctions are necessary in our opinion, together with education and cameras to bring this under some sort of control before there is further loss of life and injury.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Simple answer is full cost recovery + substantial fine.

ATO does the same!

Not working.   Time to put these idiots off the road, additional to fines and cost of damages etc.

[minbrisbane]

Simple answer is full cost recovery + substantial fine.

ATO does the same!

Not working.   Time to put these idiots off the road, additional to fines and cost of damages etc.

Give them a new job = level crossing warden.

[ozbob]

New level crossing procedures

[ozbob]

Cairns Post --> Man trapped in car involved in crash with train at Stratford

^ Train to Kuranda this morning .. 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Car and train collide in north Queensland




The scene of the crash. Photo: Kristy Sexton/ABC News, via Twitter

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brisbane City ‏@brisbanecityqld 1m

The Telegraph Road rail overpass bridge connecting Linkfield Road & Telegraph Road opens to traffic this Sun 25 May. http://bne.cc/1t0GMpC

[HappyTrainGuy]

Work is progressing along nicely but there is still some way to go on the Bracken Ridge side.

[ozbob]

From the Northside Chronicle 21st May 2014 page 3

Intersection upgraded

Intersection upgraded

    21 May 2014
    Northside Chronicle
    Dannielle DePinto


OVERPASS TO ALLOW CARS TO AVOID RAIL CROSSING

UPGRADES to a notoriously dangerous intersection at Bracken Ridge promise to alleviate the amount of traffic accidents, ease traffic congestion and improve travel times.

Southern lanes of the new Telegraph Rd overpass will open to traffic on Sunday to help stop congestion problems while work continues on the northern lanes and surrounding areas.

The dogleg intersection from Linkfield Rd, turning left on to Lacey Rd and sharp right onto Telegraph Rd, will become a smoother transition straight on to Telegraph Rd.

Bracken Ridge ward Councillor Amanda Cooper said the upgrades were a long time coming.

"We've got over 16,000 vehicles that go through the crossing every day and for many residents of the northern suburbs, this will make a real point of difference," she said.

Cr Cooper said there had been 70 incidents over five years from 2004-09, which she called "poor".

The operational overpass will allow motorists to travel from Linkfield Rd or Lacey Rd direct to Telegraph Rd, without having to navigate the existing crossing.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said there would be a vast improvement navigating the rail and road networks with
the road-over-rail overpass.

"With numerous near misses and boom gate strikes that leads to constant disruption ... there should have been work done earlier to separate road and rail because it helps tremendously."

The $82 million Telegraph Rd Open Level Crossing project is expected to be completed on schedule by the end of 2014.

[Old Northern Road]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/road-intersection-upgrades/robinson-road-open-level-crossing-replacement-project#downloads

Going by the artist's impressions on this page it looks like they are not removing the old bridge.

[Derwan]

Man plays 'chicken' with oncoming freight train

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/man-plays-chicken-with-oncoming-freight-train/2270792/

...

About 11pm on Friday, a man stopped his vehicle at the level crossing, got outside, lifted the boom gate and stood in the middle of the train track waiting for the oncoming train.

The train crew had good visibility and saw the man in time to apply the emergency brakes.

The train stopped in time to narrowly avoid the man who returned to the car and left the scene.

...

[Gazza]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/road-intersection-upgrades/robinson-road-open-level-crossing-replacement-project#downloads

Going by the artist's impressions on this page it looks like they are not removing the old bridge.

Probably no point to go to the expense and disruption...Several stations like Oxley, Darra, Miton, Auchenflower etc effectivley have two bridges.

[ozbob]

http://www.scottemerson.com.au/media/media-releases/528-take-care-around-level-crossings-during-school-holidays.html

Take care around level crossings during school holidays

Queenslanders are being urged to take care during the school holidays as shocking new footage shows motorists and pedestrians gambling with their lives on the rail network.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Member for Sunnybank Mark Stewart today visited CoopersPlains train station, one of the state's hotspots for railway crossing near misses, in an effort to discourage dangerous behaviour.

Although the number of near misses dropped by 27 per cent last year, Mr Emerson said too many people were taking senseless risks at rail crossings.

"Of the 135 alarming incidents that have been reported this year, 46 have occurred at CoopersPlains train station," Mr Emerson said.

"Improving the safety of all Queenslanders is our top priority and I urge reckless individuals to stop taking senseless risks and endangering the lives of others.

"During the last school holidays at Easter, we had a shocking 17 motorists and pedestrians running the gauntlet in front of an oncoming train.

"Given a lot of families have almost two more weeks left to enjoy time off from school and work, we are encouraging everyone to pay attention and stay safe in and around level crossings."

Mr Stewart said drivers needed to take more care at CoopersPlains station.

"Time and time again, we continue to see impatient motorists dangerously queuing across the Boundary Road level crossing, often avoiding a collision with a train by just metres," he said.

"One near miss is too many and I urge all road users to do their part by obeying the signs and signals."

RACQ executive manager of technical and safety policy Steve Spalding said there was no excuse for driving past the flashing lights or around a boom gate.

"You're not just breaking the road rules but you're also placing yourself and your passengers in a dangerous situation and possibly risking the lives of those on board the train," Mr Spalding said.

"No train driver should have to be confronted with a situation where they are unable to stop because of the careless actions of a motorist or a truck driver."

Pedestrians caught ignoring railway crossing protection could cop an on the spot fine of $220, and offending motorists could face a $330 penalty and three demerit points.

Motorists who damage railway crossings can also be fined up to $8800 and since July 2013 Queensland Rail has successfully recovered more than $239,000 in repair costs that would otherwise be borne by taxpayers.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Video released of near-misses at train station level crossings as Scott Emerson urges public to be safe

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/12/19/level-crossing-breakin-trial-for-south-west

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, December 19, 2013

Level crossing break-in trial for south west

A trial of new safety technology is now underway in south west Queensland, as part of the Newman Government's efforts to improve safety at railway crossings.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the radio break-in technology had been installed at Malu (between Oakey and Dalby) to provide added warnings to motorists.

"The Pixie radio break-in system, developed by NFA Innovations, has been switched on and will alert motorists if there is a train approaching the railway crossing," Mr Emerson said.

"The trial started earlier this week with devices installed in 28 trains and 25 vehicles which regularly use the railway crossing at Malu Quarry Rd.

"During the trial, we will monitor the behaviour of these motorists and collect data to allow us to compare driver behaviour before and after the technology."

This is one of three different technologies being trialled across Queensland as part of a $2 million commitment to improve safety at railway crossings.

The trial period will help determine the effectiveness of the Pixie system and whether it could be rolled out to additional railway crossings in Queensland.

Mr Emerson said a different type of radio break-in technology, developed by La Trobe University, was also being trialled in North Queensland.

"Early next year, we will trial a solar-powered crossing warning system, also in the south west, which is being developed by Railnet Safety Systems," he said.

"The system is an alternate type of flashing lights and will be trialled at Maag St, Toowoomba and Lane Rd, Lanefield.

"As always, motorists and pedestrians need to do their part and obey the signs and signals at all railway crossings."

In the last financial year, there were 65 near misses at railway crossings in the south west. During the same period, near misses on the Queensland Rail network decreased from 489 to 351 or by nearly 30 percent.

[ENDS] 19 December 2013

Lanfield lx signs see slide 19 of this --> http://www.slideshare.net/informaoz/jamielee-crawford-queensland-rail

[ozbob]

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Open level crossing projects delivered

Drivers are now enjoying two Open Level Crossing Replacement Projects delivered by the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council months ahead of schedule.

Premier Campbell Newman joined Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk at Geebung to officially open the Robinson Road pedestrian overpass and announce that works were almost complete for the Telegraph Road overpass project at Bracken Ridge.

"I'm extremely pleased to see these key infrastructure projects delivered ahead of schedule, ensuring a safer drive for families," Mr Newman said.

"We promised at the election that we would provide better infrastructure and planning for Queenslanders and together with the Brisbane City Council that's exactly what we're doing.

"Congestion at Geebung and Bracken Ridge will be reduced and safety improved for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists as part of our stronger plan for a brighter future."

Minister Emerson said that the overpass bridges had already significantly eased northside traffic congestion.

"We've catered for our state's growing needs, delivering the $199 million Geebung project and the $82 million Bracken Ridge project three months ahead of schedule," Mr Emerson said.

"Previously the RACQ identified the two sites as Brisbane's most notorious level crossings, with two fatalities recorded in recent years at Robinson Road and thousands of near misses at each of the rail crossings.

"Now Queenslanders – whether they're drivers, pedestrians or cyclists – are travelling more safely and quickly."

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that the delivery of the two vital infrastructure projects demonstrated the commitment of Council and the Queensland Government to deliver better transport for Brisbane residents.

"The completion of these major projects has already seen significant benefits for a number of bus services, eliminating delays up to 15 minutes at both level crossings," Cr Quirk said.

The Geebung overpass opened to traffic in March and pedestrians at the end of August. Two lanes of the Bracken Ridge overpass opened to traffic in May, with finishing touches on the additional two lanes expected to be complete in the coming weeks.

Both projects commenced in early 2013 and were jointly funded by Council and the Queensland Government, with the Geebung project delivered by GO Alliance and the Bracken Ridge project delivered by Bielby Hull Joint Venture.                                                                                             

[ENDS] 9 September 2014

[ozbob]

There is a list of Level Crossings here -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6859.0

What do you think should be the priorities for grade separation, and in fact closure if redundant?

I would like to develop a policy position on this. 

Firstly, I think it is best to identify priorities on a line by line basis.

Eg.  Ipswich line - Wacol Station Road crossings

Then develop an overall priority for the network.

Grade separation is excellent bang for the buck (providing not gold plated of course as sometimes is in these parts) and has significant benefits for the rail and road networks.

[SurfRail]

I'd say the Big 5 would be:

- Warrigal Road, Fruitgrove
- Boundary Road, Coopers Plains
- South Pine Road, Alderley
- Sherwood Road, Sherwood
- Wacol Station Road, Wacol

That gets rid of what I suspect are 3 of the busiest in the inner metropolitan area, and makes the entire Ipswich line grade separated.

Also, close Beaudesert Road and leave it with chainlink gates and a crossing surface for when emergency egress is needed eg due to floods.  There is an overpass on top already FFS, and it has a very high strike rate.

[BrizCommuter]

Coorparoo crossing should be high up the list.

[#Metro]

Map of Level Crossings https://www.google.com/maps/d/view?mid=zo2O13ByWclc.kXotbLfxlib4&usp=sharing

There are around 50 or so in SEQ. Please let me know if I have missed any or added any that are no longer there (Google Maps is often out of date).

Also, could not find a crossing at Le Geyt Street in Windsor.

[#Metro]

Coorparoo crossing should be high up the list.

Station might have to be rebuilt, however it would be an excellent opportunity to do TOD at that location.

Also, Sunnybank would likely need to be rebuilt (again) also. OR, given the expense and closeness of stations in that area... removed...
(Precedents on the Beenleigh line already exist for this.)

[hU0N]

LDT, corner of Le Geyt and Epacras.

[hU0N]

I think the general principle should be:
1) low hanging fruit that can be simply closed (for example):
- Beaudesert Road
- Arbor Street Ferny Grove
- 1 at Coorparoo
- Stones Road Sunnybank
- Bonemill Road Fruitgrove
- Pedestrian gates at stations with overbridges.
2) crossings affecting two or more branching lines
- Sherwood
- Four between Northgate and Petrie
3) Those on major roads (for example)
- Coopers Plains
- Shand Street
4) Wacol Station Road (With Sherwood, this makes the entire line LX free)
5) the rest

[#Metro]

LDT, corner of Le Geyt and Epacras.

Got it. It's a pedestrian only crossing, no road over rail.

[red dragin]

Please let me know if I have missed any or added any that are no longer there (Google Maps is often out of date).

Geebung is gone.

Todds Rd Lawnton & South Pine Rd Strathpine both have close by alternatives.

I think the Strathpine one remains due to the amount of businesses that would go under if it was closed. The Lawnton one should go, the maintenance costs saved could be used to compensate all of the shops (about 8 at a guess) that would be affected.

There are plans (long term) in place to build an overpass near the Morayfield Shopping Centre, continuing Buchanans Rd over to join directly with Caboolture River Rd (and remove that low overpass where the rental trucks constantly hit the rail bridge)

[aldonius]

Arbor Street isn't for Ferny Grove people getting out, it's for Samford people getting in.

The LX should not be closed until Samford has its own state high school or Archdale Road is extended through.

Otherwise all that's achieved is p%ssing people off.

[Gazza]

Mine would be.

-Coopers Plains
-Warrigal Rd
-Alderley
-Coorparoo
-Beams Rd

Priority should be around traffic and bus volumes.
I'm not too fussed about the other Ipswich line ones because they are in unimportant locations.

[dancingmongoose]

Are we looking at just level crossings or flat junctions as well?

[hU0N]

Arbor Street isn't for Ferny Grove people getting out, it's for Samford people getting in.

The LX should not be closed until Samford has its own state high school or Archdale Road is extended through.

Otherwise all that's achieved is p%ssing people off.

Fair enough.  I'm not an expert on this area.  I included it on my list of possible low hanging fruit because the detour via Tramway St adds only about 500m to the journey to either Coles or the High School for people coming from Ferny Hills or Samford (both of which are some number of kilometres distant), and there is possibility to reconfigure the station carpark to allow through road access to the west of the station.  But again, I'm no expert, and my idea is more about a general framework.  What do you think of the framework?

Specifically:
First close crossings that are of marginal necessity.
Second replace crossings that impact more than one branching line, as these crossings limit the capacity of the network to achieve high frequency service on all branches (when and if the staff and vehicle limitations are addressed).
Third replace crossings that cause congestion for cars and especially buses.
Finally remove all crossings on a line by line basis starting with the lines that have the fewest crossings (on the presumption that a line that doesn't branch is impacted as much by one crossing as it is by 10 crossings).

[ozbob]

Are we looking at just level crossings or flat junctions as well?

This thread is LX

[red dragin]

Arbor Street isn't for Ferny Grove people getting out, it's for Samford people getting in.

The LX should not be closed until Samford has its own state high school or Archdale Road is extended through.

Otherwise all that's achieved is p%ssing people off.

Fair enough.  I'm not an expert on this area.  I included it on my list of possible low hanging fruit because the detour via Tramway St adds only about 500m to the journey to either Coles or the High School for people coming from Ferny Hills or Samford (both of which are some number of kilometres distant), and there is possibility to reconfigure the station carpark to allow through road access to the west of the station.  But again, I'm no expert, and my idea is more about a general framework.  What do you think of the framework?

Given its proximity to the station the boom gate strike & car vs train risks are quite low I imagine.

You'd have to grade separate Samford Rd first, otherwise you would get a rat running problem. Probably why they didn't put a road through west of the station.

[hU0N]

Given its proximity to the station the boom gate strike & car vs train risks are quite low I imagine.

You'd have to grade separate Samford Rd first, otherwise you would get a rat running problem. Probably why they didn't put a road through west of the station.

Fair point.

[hU0N]

On the topic of the Ferny Grove Line..

Osborne Road, Blackwood St or Glenholm St?  Assuming that you would only build a single overpass and close the other crossings outright.  The more I look at it, the more I like Kedron Ave into McConaghy St.  Not a lot of neighbours on what would be the new main road,  plus the chance of putting the bus stop right on top of the station platforms while still close enough to Blackwood St to count, and most of the land where you would need resumptions for ramps etc is already in public ownership (as parks, schools and station property).

[aldonius]

But you have to massively reconfigure both the Samford/Kedron and the Samford/Osborne intersections, plus building some new thing to get McConaghy back onto Osborne - or another bridge across the creek.

Seriously, Osborne is the through route for a reason, it's the one to do.

Or just sink and realign the railway so it sits in that parkland just to the north. Expand the main Brookside complex right down to McDonalds opposite it.