The Queensland government released its Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033 and Level Crossing Safety Action Plan 2024-2026 to close out this year’s Rail Safety Week.
Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, Queensland’s level crossings played host to:
- 1507 near hits
- 64 collisions
- 12 fatalities
- 6 serious injuries
Part of the overarching Safety Strategy includes 14 level crossing removals across South East Queensland.
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon says the consideration of heavy vehicles is an important inclusion in the strategy.
“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,” Mahon says.
“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.
“We strongly support the collaboration on this strategy as the safety of heavy vehicles and interaction with rail level crossings is paramount.”
The three-year action plan has been launched alongside the 10-year strategy aimed at making crossings across the state safer for both rail and road users.
The action plan is centred around improving safety on four key pillars:
- Enforcement
- Education
- Technology and innovation
- Data capture and coordination
The trial of new camera technology at crossings is a key feature of the plan. The new safety camera technology will detect dangerous behaviours including driving through flashing red lights, boom gates, or speeding.
Similar technology is already extensively used throughout the UK and Europe.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish says it’s important to maintain both a short and long-term outlook on improving level crossing safety.
“The new Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033 provides a roadmap for action to improve level crossing safety across the state over the next ten years and the Action Plan prioritises key initiatives over the next three years,” Mellish says.
“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.
“This includes a commitment to trialling innovative level crossing safety camera technology in deterring unsafe driving behaviours.”
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