ARA backs national approach to level crossing safety

By Sam Collyer and Jennifer Perry

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) welcomed this week’s release of the National Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2010-2020 which it hopes will help reduce the number of avoidable incidents at crossings each year.
The strategy has been developed by the Rail Level Crossing Group (RLCG) on behalf of the Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers working together through the Australian Transport Council (ATC) to coordinate national transport and road safety policy issues.
RLCG members include the National Transport Commission (NTC) and representatives of the road and rail industries.
Replacing an earlier plan release in 2003, the actions identified in the strategy will be implemented by road agencies, rail authorities, local government and rail operators through the RLCG.
The strategy’s main focus is on:
.creating a nationally aligned approach to safety at railway level crossings;
.applying lessons from road safety practices to railway level crossing safety management;
.improving community understanding of the risks and importance of compliance; and
.harnessing the potential of new technologies for railway level crossings.
On average there are 37 people killed each year in about 100 level crossing incidents.
ARA chief executive Bryan Nye said reducing the number of such incidents was the industry's highest safety priority.
“Crashes at level crossings affect not only the car drivers and passengers who often lose their lives, but also the train drivers, passengers and broader community,” Nye said.
“Every incident is avoidable and the rail industry looks forward to working with the RLCG to see the strategy come to life and improve safety at railway level crossings.”

The strategy is available at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/UnderstandingRoads/Rail/Pages/Rail.aspx