PICS: ACT’s first ever National Rail Safety Week event has launched, as the territory joins in the efforts of up to 75 rail, police and government organisations from across Australia and New Zealand to raise safety awareness across the sector.
Meegan Fitzharris, ACT’s transport and city services minister, attended the launch at Gunghalin’s shopping precinct on Sunday.
The event emphasised a greater public awareness of track and level crossing safety around the new Canberra light rail system.
It also served as a launching pad for the start of daytime testing for Canberra’s new light rail fleet.
Fitzharris said the transition to daytime tests means the public must be extremely careful while near the tracks.
“Our light rail vehicles started overnight testing in June and day time testing will start this week. This means it’s more important than ever for our residents to be aware of the importance of staying safe around the tracks,” Fitzharris said.
“The number one thing you can do to avoid harm is obey all signs and road rules. Be sure to pay attention around the tracks, because light rail vehicles can move quickly and quietly.”
Daytime testing for the light rail vehicles (LRVs) will begin on August 13 and will also include practical driver training for light rail drivers as they prepare for the operational readiness and commencement of services.
Vehicle testing is being accompanied by tests of the whole light rail infrastructure and system in this zone, including track, signaling and passenger information systems.
A minimum of two LVRs will be on the tracks during the day, with “T Lights” regulating their movements at Flemington Road intersections Hinder Street, Kate Crace Street and Manning Clark Crescent.
It will initially take place between Gungahlin Place and Nullarbor Avenue, between the hours of 9:30am and 3:00pm. Testing will continue during the night.
Eventually, from the middle of September, more LRVs will be testing on the tracks and the testing area will be extending from Gungahlin to Mitchell.
Rail Safety Week, an initiative of TrackSAFE Foundation, the Australasian Rail Association and other organisations, will be promoting safety around rail corridors across the country, with volunteers from the rail industry preparing to visit thousands of school students in metropolitan, regional and rural areas throughout the week.
Fitzharris said it was an important milestone for the ACT to join in the Rail Safety Week activities for the first time.
“It shows how far we’ve come towards delivering an integrated public transport system with light rail working alongside buses to meet commuters’ needs in our growing city,” she said.