A new strategy and action plan will provide a pathway to improving level crossing safety across Queensland, including a trial of innovative level crossing safety camera technology.
The Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033 is a ten-year strategy aimed at making level crossings across the state safer for rail and road users.
A three-year Action Plan is being launched alongside the strategy which centres around improving safety based on:
- Enforcement
- Education
- Technology and innovation
- Data capture and coordination
This includes the trial of safety camera technology at level crossings to detect dangerous behaviour, like people driving through flashing red lights, boom gates or speeding.
TMR is currently in the market for Queensland Level Crossing Safety Camera technology, which is soon set to be trialled at high-risk level crossings around the state.
Similar technology is already widely used in the UK, and parts of Europe like Belgium and the Czech Republic.
The Strategy follows the release of the South East Queensland Level Crossing Program 2024, which details the 14 level crossings in South East Queensland currently being removed, upgraded or under investigation. $10 million has also been set aside, as part of the Program, to identify solutions for future priority level crossings.
Both the Program and the Strategy are aligned in a vision for zero harm at level crossings across Queensland by:
- Increasing Police enforcement at level crossings across Queensland
- Improving level crossing user behaviour through targeted education campaigns
- Leveraging opportunities from emerging technology and innovations
- Identifying opportunities to deliver early, low cost and effective safety improvements
- Supporting the development of improved data and knowledge on level crossings
- Increasing coordination and sharing between those responsible for level crossing safety
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish, said, “Every collision at a level crossing is one too many. This is why we’re continuing to strive for the long-term vision of zero harm at level crossings in Queensland.
“Our SEQ Level Crossing Program, announced last week, includes the targeted upgrade of level crossings and forms a key part of our broad approach.”
Queensland Trucking Association CEO, Gary Mahon, said road freight transport is a critical service in the state and the geographical location of communities means that trucks are interacting with rail level crossings daily.
“Acknowledgement of specific heavy vehicle related considerations such as truck driver visibility, the height and size of vehicles, stopping distance times and handling heavy loads will be critical to designing new safety systems and technology for rail level crossings,” Mr Mahon said.
“We strongly support the collaboration on this strategy as the safety of heavy vehicles and interaction with rail level crossings is paramount.”
The Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy, Action Plan and level crossing safety tips can be found here.
Images: IngeBlessas/shutterstock.com
