Two rural NSW areas will trial innovative new level crossing technology in a bid to avoid any truck and freight train collisions
The New South Wales government has announced that the NSW Nationals will begin trialling new technology that aims to reduce the risk of level crossing collisions in rural settings between trains and heavy vehicles.
The state government will fund the trials, which includes using LED flashing lights and innovative signs at level crossings in Narromine and Bribbaree to improve awareness and safety.
The NSW government says contracts have been signed with ARCS at Bribbaree and Sage Automation at Narromine to install the new signs and detailed work at the level crossings.
NSW regional transport and roads minister Sam Farraway says the government listened to community petitions after local members sadly died last year due to truck and train collisions in the region.
“Transport for NSW has developed a new strategic direction to help fast track improvements at level crossings which will involve trialling the use of new technology,” Farraway says.
“On top of this we have reduced speed limits to 80km per hour at more than 50 level crossings across regional NSW as part of the Level Crossing Speed Zone Reduction Program.
“We know a lot of crashes at level crossings occur where the road speed limit is 100km an hour or greater, so reducing the speed limit gives drivers more time to see the level crossing ahead and stop for oncoming trains.”
Farraway says 68 per cent of public roads crossings only use stop and give way signs when warning of trains at the crossing.
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TrackSAFE Foundation’s Executive Director Heather Neil says TrackSAFE welcomed the announcement from the NSW government.
“NSW has thousands of level crossings and new technology will play an important part in improving safety,” Neil says.
“This week is Rail Safety Week, and we remind travellers, pedestrians, commuters and rail workers that they can all play an active role in rail safety. And we urge the Australian community to Stay Rail Safe.”
The trial is funded through the Digital Restart Fund and will commence later this year. The data collected will be used to determine the effectiveness of the new technology.
The Narromine trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a stop sign with LED warning lighting, while the Bribbaree trial will also monitor the effectiveness of stop signs with LED warning lights and LED streetlights.