TasRail has been trialling a camera on one of locomotives as a way of identifying motorists and pedestrians who put their lives at risk and those of others by ignoring level-crossing warning signs or travelling illegally along train lines.

Chief executive Damien White says the trial results have been promising and TasRail is exploring the possibility of installing cameras on the new fleet of locomotives currently being procured.

Mr White said that the recorded images would be made available to Tasmania Police to support the prosecution of offenders. Tasmania Police can issue AUD 250penalty notices. However, where the courts are involved the fine for failing to stop as required at a level crossing can go as high as AUD 1,500.

(August 29th, 2011)

Queensland Rail (QR) has said that it will test new safety lock gates at five level crossings in Brisbane to stop impatient pedestrians risking their lives. The trial of the new locks comes a month after a pedestrian was killed on the Newmans Road level crossing in Geebung (LXinfo August 2011).

(August 23rd, 2011)

The new lock designed by QR engineers will be tested for one month on pedestrian gates at level crossings in Geebung, Morayfield, Murarrie, Woodridge, and Wynnum Central, at which the highest number of near-misses involving pedestrians have been recorded. If the trial is successful the new safety lock will be installed state-wide.

The city of Kent’s pursuit of a quiet zone has included a demonstration of a wayside horn and an information session explaining issues relating to the silencing of train horn noise by adoption of quiet zone arrangements.

Businesses, residents and the general public were invited to learn more about railroad quiet zones and hear the wayside horn demonstration in Titus Railroad Park on August 18th, 2011. The objective of the demonstration was to show how directionally specific wayside horns offer a community benefits when compared with a standard train horn sounded along the railway right-of-way in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration requirements.

The wayside horn was sounded multiple times for those attending the demonstration in the Railroad Park and then an hour later so those interested in wayside horns could listen for it from their home or business premise.

Those attending the demonstration were invited to share their observations with city officials.

(August 19th, 2011)

HG Life Elektronik is promoting cost effective active level crossing controls developed over a four-year period and now in use within Turkey. The system is certificated by TSEK in accordance with UIC norms. Accordingly, the product is now being offered internationally.

(August 17th, 2011)