The Queensland Government has released details of a new program which will be used to deal with some of the region’s worst level crossings.
The South East Queensland (SEQ) Level Crossing Program 2024 aims to deliver safer roads and help ease congestion.
The program highlights 14 level crossings with solutions either currently under construction, in design or planning.
It will work towards finding cost-effective solutions to some of the most problematic level crossings across the state’s South East.
Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has dedicated staff to deliver this program, including $10 million to do planning studies on level crossings found to be a priority.
A planning study is the first step towards a business case for each crossing and establishes a list of short and long-term solutions for each crossing.
Depending on traffic volumes and safety considerations, options range from reconfiguring intersections, widening nearby roads, and installing traffic lights to building rail or road overpasses.
Five level crossings will be removed at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh as part of the $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project, jointly funded with the Australian Government.
While another three level crossings are being identified for upgrades including one at Glass House Mountains and Beerburrum as part of the $1.004 billion Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1).
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon says truck drivers encounter level crossings daily and they are always a major safety concern.
“Importantly, the roads and the warning systems around level crossings need to be designed with trucks in mind as they have different visibility and stopping distance considerations compared to light vehicles,” he said.
“Safety is always front of mind for the road freight industry, and we will always strongly advocate for investment that will improve safety outcomes for our truck drivers when delivering into our communities.
“We are pleased to hear of the funding that is being committed to improve the safety for our road users around level crossings in Queensland.”
As part of the new approach to level crossings, the Queensland Government will also move to develop an agreed funding model towards level crossings, involving all three levels of Government.
The program commits to no new level crossings on future passenger rail lines in South East Queensland.
The department and Queensland Rail will also be considering regional crossings as part of further level crossing improvements, looking at technology and other solutions to improve public safety.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish explained, “The SEQ Level Crossing Program demonstrates our commitment to improving and removing priority level crossings across the South-East.
“The program is aimed at improving safety, traffic flows and public transport reliability at and around level crossings. It also allows us to prepare for increased rail services when Cross River Rail and Logan Gold Coast Faster Rail are finished.
“We have committed hundreds of millions of dollars towards upgrading level crossings at Coopers Plains, Carseldine and Lindum.”
Meanwhile, in New South Wales, a $1.2 million trial of digital technology designed to improve level crossing safety in rural and regional areas is underway.
The Callaghans Lane Level Crossing near Quirindi, which has a history of fatal crashes, will be used to trial the technology which is designed to improve level crossing safety in rural and regional areas.
This will be the first trial in NSW of the Rail Active Crossing System – or RAXS – which is a modular low-cost solution that uses wireless train-activated technology.
The passive crossing at Callaghans Lane will effectively become an active site with flashing lights at the crossing and advance warning signage on the road, triggered by an approaching train to alert motorists.
The NSW Government is providing $715,000 funding for the trial, along with $500,000 from the Australian Government’s Level Crossing Safety Research and Innovation Grants – a component of the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program.
Transport for NSW will run the trial in partnership with ARTC and technology company Rail Safety Systems, which designed the RAXS.
“Our RAXS technology not only enhances visibility and reliability but also drastically reduces installation costs and time, which we believe make it a game-changer for rural and remote crossings,” said Rail Safety Systems business development lead Andy Turnbull.
“Some of the standout features of this system are a fail-to-safe design which ensures that in the event of a system failure or power loss, the level crossing automatically shifts to a traditional STOP sign mode and a central Remote Crossing Management System that ensures real-time monitoring and rapid response to any faults.
“Our autonomous system operates entirely off-grid, proving that safety and efficiency can coexist.”
Local roadworks and installation of the first parts of the RAXS technology are due to take place at Callaghans Lane level crossing in the coming months, followed by rigorous testing ahead of a planned go live date mid next year.