Industry Infrastructure, Rail industry news (Australia, New Zealand)

Funding available to improve level crossing safety

Applications for Round Two of the Level Crossing Safety Research and Innovation Grants are now open.

The Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program provides funding to improve safety at level crossings in regional areas.

This second round of grants will share in $1.9 million available under the Research and Innovation Grants component of the Program to support:

  • research and investigation of new technologies and approaches to improve level crossing safety, and
  • trials of innovative and lower-cost level crossing safety improvements.

The results of the trials will be shared with governments and the rail industry to inform ongoing activities under the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy.

Round One of the grants saw $2.8 million in funding shared among 6 successful projects trialling a range of technologies including: rumble strips, flashing and reflective posts and signage, research into train visibility, solar-powered wireless warning signals and data monitoring.

These grants are in addition to the $160 million for the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund, which will cover up to 50% of the cost of delivering priority level crossing upgrades from 2023–2024 to 2026–2027.

Industry, research bodies and universities are amongst those encouraged to apply for Round Two grants by Friday 5 April 2024.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit grants.gov.au.