Switch flicked on rail crossing technology

Innovative level crossing technology has been switched on at two North Queensland locations, as part of the Newman Government’s efforts to improve road safety.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said new radio break-in technology would be switched on this week at Calcium and Broughton, between Townsville and Charters Towers, to provide added warnings to motorists at railway crossings.

“Over the next six months we’ll be trialling a radio break-in system developed by La Trobe University, which alerts motorists if there is a train approaching the crossing,” Mr Emerson said.

“The technology wirelessly detects the presence of motor vehicles in relation to trains and can broadcast a warning announcement through the vehicle’s radio, as well as displaying a visual warning through a unit fitted above the dashboard.

“The devices were installed in 22 trains and 23 vehicles which regularly use railway crossings at Manton Quarry Road, Calcium and Gromac Quarry Access Road, Broughton.

“The trial will help determine its effectiveness and whether it can be rolled out to additional railway crossings in Queensland.”

Mr Emerson said the technology was one of three being trialled as part of a $2 million investment to improve safety at railway crossings.

Two additional railway crossing safety trials would also start in the coming months to test two other innovative systems developed by NFA Innovations and Railnet Safety Systems.

“A different type of radio break-in technology and a solar-powered railway crossing warning system will be trialled at locations in south west Queensland,” he said.

Last financial year there were 351 reported near misses on the Queensland Rail network, including 199 incidents in South East Queensland and 152 incidents in regional Queensland. This compares to 489 near misses the previous year.

Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637