Lxinfo - Australasia

Lxinfo magazine - Australasia

Perth, Western Australia: Is photo-enforcement working?
“Is photo-enforcement working?” is a question that must be asked if photo-enforcement cameras at two level crossings in the Perth metropolitan area are trapping an average of six motorists a day getting on for two years since they were introduced. The level crossings in Welshpool and Maddington were equipped with photo-enforcement cameras in 2007 and since they went live, after an extended trial and a period when motorists were warned rather than fined, 3,600 motorists have paid the price for running the red lights. The average number of offences per day in the second year of operation is still running close to the 20-month average of six.		If this level of offending continues there are those who argue that the photo-enforcement is doing nothing to change the behaviour of motorists at level crossings. However, others take the opposite viewpoint arguing that they have a deterrent effect and that six-a-day must be a reduction in red light running compared with what must have been happening before the cameras were installed. Western Australia traffic laws lead to fines of AU$200 and four demerit points are awarded for each and every red light offence. (February 23rd, 2010)

Australia: Ezi Security Systems picks up manufacturing CCAS licence
Controlled Crossing Area Systems Pty Ltd has sold the Australian manufacturing licence for their Controlled Crossing Area System (CCAS) We sold the Australian Manufacturing Licence to Ezi Security Systems a constituent company of the AOS Group. Ezi Security Systems, based in Botany, New South Wales, has a substantial track record in manufacturing controlled access systems and already includes a crash-proof range of security gates. The CCAS system is promoted by its developers as a lower cost upgrade route for regional level crossings than grade separation. This is achieved by supplementing active level crossing controls with Ezi’s cantilevered gate systems to provide an impenetrable barrier once the level crossing is proven clear of any obstruction. Ezi’s cantilevered sliding gate caters for road widths from three to ten metres and needs no road rails, tracks or overhead supports. Indeed, Ezi argue, the cantilever gate is not affected by road crowns, kerbs and falls for drainage in roads with all civil works to install the gate are undertaken off to the side of the secured road.		The specification for the Ezi cantilevered sliding gate system provides: Heavy duty construction, all seam welded and hot dip galvanised. Elevated motor/gearbox and electrical controls Programmable logic control with quality industrial grade electronics Industrial quality 100% duty cycle 3-phase .75KW drive motor and gearbox mated to steel racking Variable opening and closing speeds through frequency inverter of up to one metre per second Effortless “quick release handle” for manual operation in the event of power stoppage Safety systems include 2 x inductive loops, buzzer, flashing light, arm shield, safety fencing of back rail, 4 x photo electric beams (two vertical and two horizontal) for pedestrians, warning signs and labels Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Equipment pedestals and protective bollards A technical specification for the complete CCAS system is expected to be available in the near future. If the Controlled Crossing Area Systems Pty Ltd cost estimates are as suggested, a complete CCAS installation will likely cost between two and five per cent of the cost of grade separating a regional level crossing. The Controlled Crossing Area Systems Pty Ltd website can be found at: www.controlledcrossings.com.au and that for Ezi Security Systems at: www.ezisecurity.com.au (February 23rd, 2010)

Australia: National Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy launched
Australia has launched a new National Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy for the decade to 2020 that seek to deliver a nationally coordinated action plan to reduce deaths and near misses at Australian level crossings. The National Strategy complements the National Road Safety Strategy and importantly adopts the internationally accepted safe system approach. The context of the strategy is the deaths and serious injuries at public and pedestrian railway level crossings across Australia remaining a serious national issue with an average of 37 deaths per year and many more non fatal incidents. 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 to coordinate national transport and road safety policy issues. To successfully implement the strategy the RLCG acknowledges the importance of ongoing rail sector engagement with the community, all levels of government, highways authorities and of course rail industry stakeholders. “It will only be by all of these interested parties working together that we can make a real difference” said Mr Henneveld Chairman of the RLCG and Commissioner of Main Roads for Western Australia. Mr Henneveld added “Reducing crashes at railway level crossings will have a big impact on further reducing Australia’s road toll. Transport Ministers across the country are committed to delivering on this Strategy to improve safety outcomes at level crossings”. The Strategy, approved by the Australian Transport Council, assigns responsibility for key actions including: Creating a nationally aligned approach to safety at railway level crossings Applying lessons from road safety practices to railway crossing safety management Improving community understanding of the risks and importance of compliance Harnessing the potential of rapidly emerging new technologies to railway level crossings. Top obtain a copy of the strategy go to: www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/UnderstandingRoads/Rail/Pages/Rail.aspx (February 19th, 2010)		Australian active open level crossing, source NTA
		Australian wig-wag, source NTA
		Australian full barrier level crossing, source NTA

Ashhurst, New Zealand: Motorist looked one-way not two?
Investigation of a collision between a train and a car on a passive level crossing in Ashhurst, Manawatu-Wanganui, North Island is loking to see if the motorist involved looked one or both ways. In any event, the young motorist escaped serious injury in the collision on the Hillcrest Road passive level crossing. The accident happened at about 08,40 on February 17th, 2010. (February 17th, 2010)

Sydney, New South Wales: Budget bid for grade separation
The long promised elimination of the North Road, Lindum, level crossing is again the subject of bids for its inclusion in the council’s budget. The bid which is valued at AU$95 is unlikely to proceed as the New South Wales State Government is unable to make a contribution until 2014, ten years after the Lord Mayor, Peter Cumming, pledged to eliminate the Lindum level crossing in his election campaign. (February 12th, 2010)

Taumarunui, New Zealand: Train collides with milk tanker
An open active crossing was the location of a collision between a train and a milk tanker near Taumarunui on New Zealand’s North Island. The collision which wrecked the tanker but caused no injuries occurred during the afternoon of February 10th, 2010. Reports confirm that the level crossing was functioning correctly at the time of the collision. (February 10th, 2010)

Melbourne, Victoria: Auditor General’s probe to report in March
Victoria’s Auditor General’s probe into the management of risk arising at level crossings is nearing completion with a report to Parliament expected towards the end of March 2010. Factors which have led to the Auditor General’s probe are: A 2008 Commonwealth Government report finding that over half of all injuries at Australian level crossings between 2001 and 2006 occurred in Victoria The state government spend of AU$50m on improving pedestrian and highway level crossings between July 2006 and June 2008 A further spend of AU$56m on grade separating the intersection between the Lilydale and Belgrave lines from Middleborough Road in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The Victoria Transport Plan inclusion of AU$540m to make level crossings safer across the state.		The audit is examine the adequacy of planning for managing safety risks at railway crossings, whether the prioritisation given to works is justified, and whether in the case of works conducted, the incidence and impact of railway crossing accidents has reduced. The State Coroner’s investigation of deaths at Victoria’s level crossing is ongoing with the next step being a further directions hearing. It is understood that the inquests into the three accidents to be considered in detail will begin later this year. (February 5th, 2010)