The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is again supporting the TrackSAFE Foundation’s Rail Safety Week as a valuable opportunity to amplify important safety messaging focused on educating all road users and pedestrians of their responsibilities when approaching and using a level crossing.
There are more than 23,000 level crossings in Australia, many of which involve interactions between road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. A level of risk to safety exists at all level crossings, and other than misadventure and trespass, accidents at level crossings are the primary cause of railway related fatalities among the general public.
‘Expect the unexpected - watch out for trains’ is the theme of Rail Safety Week this year, which aims to positively influence the behaviour of road users by increasing their awareness of safe actions at and around level crossings.
Collisions and near-collisions at railway crossings are an ongoing concern not only for the ATSB, but for the whole rail industry. By not obeying passive or active warning signs at a level crossing can put lives at risk, as well as having a serious impact on train drivers and other rail workers, while severely disrupting rail services.
ATSB Director Transport Safety Kerri Hughes said a small proportion of level crossing collisions tragically result in fatalities and or serious injuries to those in road vehicles.
“Some level crossing collisions involving heavy road vehicles can also result in serious adverse consequences to those on board trains,” Ms Hughes said. “All road users should expect the unexpected and watch out for trains, which obviously cannot swerve or stop quickly.”
To supplement Rail Safety Week and other ongoing safety awareness activities, the ATSB has commenced a safety study into level crossing collisions involving trains and heavy road vehicles. The study, which is due for public release before the end of the year, looks to determine the characteristics and accident trends involving trains and heavy road vehicles, including the protection equipment of the level crossings, the actions of the heavy vehicle drivers and the human factors associated with level crossing accidents.
Ms Hughes added Rail Safety Week is also an opportunity to remind pedestrians and rail passengers in metropolitan areas they too need to play an active role in rail safety, especially when footpaths intersect rail tracks, and while they are on a platform.
“Everyone should follow the very simple rules when they are at a station to help keep themselves and others safe,” Ms Hughes said.
“Stand back from the platform edge and behind the yellow line. Don’t rush when getting on or off a train. Also, look up from your device and watch out for trains.”
Read the ATSB's investigations into vehicle-train collisions at level crossings.