Madrid, Spain: Economic regeneration includes level crossings

An order of December 9th, 2008 following agreement by the Council Of Ministers on December 5th, 2008 sets out the scope and sponsoring department for programmes covered by new legislation passed on November 28th, 2008 for the encouragement of economic development and creation of jobs in Spain.

  

It is pleasing to see that arrangements for closure and upgrading level crossings are supported to the tune of EU€38m. This fund will be managed by the Railways Directorate General.

(December 17th, 2008)

Lansing, Michigan: Legislation to fund crossing surface upgrades

The Michigan Senate passed Bill 1375 on December 11th, 2008 to vary existing legislation to provide for “not more than US$3m as may be annually appropriated each fiscal year to the state trunk line fund for subsequent deposit in the grade crossing surface account”.

The legislative update provides for expenditure on level crossing surface improvement purposes at crossings on public roads and streets under the jurisdiction of the control of local authorities. Projects will be prioritised to take account of road traffic volumes, level crossing surface condition and the ability of the rail and local road authorities being able to make coordinated improvements.

  

The “grade crossing surface account” will fund 60% of the costs subject to the railway concerned funding the other 40%. State funding will be limited to those items of work normally the responsibility of the railway. Maintenance of the highway approaches to the crossing will continue to be the responsibility of the party currently responsible.

(December 15th, 2008)

Melbourne, Victoria: AU$38b transport plan includes AU$100m for level crossings

Victoria’s Premier, John Brumby, unveiled his government’s multi-year transport plan to 2020 on Monday December 8th, 2008. The plan which has a AU$38b price tag includes AU$100m to be spent on level crossing safety across the State.

  

(December 9th, 2008)

Canberra, ACT: National Road Safety Action Plan for 2009 & 2010

Although the Australian Transport Council’s National Road Safety Action Plan for 2009 and 2010 is light on detail it contains appropriate “in principle” references to the importance of improving level crossing safety across the country. This is achieved by referencing the National Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy as a supporting plan.

  

The full document can be found at: http://www.atcouncil.gov.au/documents/pubs/ATC_
actionplan0910.pdf

(December 8th, 2008)

Canberra, ACT: Committee revisits level crossing safety

Australia’s federal government House of Representatives Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Committee has called for submissions on the issues raised in its 2004 report on train visibility and level crossing safety.

Inter-alia the 2004 report recommended rotating beacon lights and retro-reflective strips and paint fitted to trains to increase visibility to to those using level crossings.

It also called for rumble strips at high accident risk level crossings which are being taken forward on a large scale basis in Victoria and a national approach to risk ranking level crossings based on the Queensland model and adapted for local conditions.

The committee’s also suggested the Government look at an education-based model for level crossings used in Canada (Operation Lifesaver / Direction 2006).

  

The decision to revisit the report follows the November 2007 level crossing accident at Cardwell in Queensland in which two train drivers died (LXinfo December 2008). “This tragic accident highlights the need to re-examine what measures are being taken around Australia to improve safety at level crossings,” the committee said in a statement.

It is known that the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) will make a submission to the committee based on the concerns it has continually raised about the safety issues surrounding level crossings.

Submissions close on January 23rd, 2009

(December 1st, 2008)