Queensland Rail: Technology to tackle level crossing safety

[John Ashworth]

Queensland Rail: Technology to tackle train crossing safety

Breaking Travel News 30/06/12

The Newman Government will tackle ongoing problems at railway level crossings with a mixture of innovation and awareness. Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson called for expressions of interest for level crossing safety trials later this year as he launched Queensland Rail’s confronting new level crossing safety campaign, titled “Crosses”, in Brisbane this morning.

“We will provide up to $1 million for rail safety technology companies to conduct trials of their technology on the Queensland network. These trials will help us ensure we have the most advanced rail safety measures to reduce the number of tragedies and near-misses at level crossings,” Mr Emerson said.

“As part of the LNP’s election commitments we are already working with the Brisbane City Council to build flyovers at two of Brisbane’s most notorious level crossings – Robinson Road, Geebung and Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge.

“Any level crossing collision can cause service disruptions, property damage, injury and, in the most tragic cases, fatalities.”

Mr Emerson said several level crossing safety technology innovations were emerging to improve railway crossing safety including radio break-in systems, in-road lights, low cost active level crossing protection equipment and broader Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems.