Types of level crossings
Level crossings have different ways of controlling traffic for the safe interaction of road and rail users:
Passive crossings
Passive crossings use stop or give way signs for motorists, and ‘look for trains’ signs for pedestrians.
Active crossings
Active crossings have flashing lights and boom barriers for motorists and additional automated gates, if required, for pedestrians. These devices are activated prior to and during the passage of a train through a level crossing.
Public crossings
Public level crossings are located on state-managed or local council roads.
Private crossings
Private level crossings are created for a specific and often limited use, generally to provide access within a private property, or between a private property and a public road.
How does an active level crossing work?
This video shows the various elements of an active level crossing, including high-intensity LED flashing lights, bells and retro-reflective boom gates.
Level crossings are a crucial part of the rail network
Level crossings play a key role in rail safety by enabling vehicles and pedestrians to cross railway tracks safely.
The construction and operation of Inland Rail requires upgrades to some public and private level crossings and construction of new level crossings.
Assessing level crossings
New lines built as part of Inland Rail will require the construction of level crossings to provide safe access to communities and landowners across the line. We will also assess existing crossings.
We are committed to working with local landowners, councils and other key stakeholders to minimise (as far as reasonable and practicable) the number of crossings on the Inland Rail route.
Process for determining level crossing controls
Our process for determining level crossing controls:
- Identify all road rail interfaces within the project area
- Conduct site visits and assessments
- Seek input from road authority or landowner
- Design proposed solution
- Seek feedback from road authority or landowner
- Implement safety treatment
Public level crossing assessments
To assess public level crossings, we use a national system called the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM) which considers factors including road traffic numbers, vehicle types, train numbers, speeds and sighting distances.
Any proposed changes to public roads will consider a few factors such as:
- safety
- sight distances at level crossings
- traffic numbers
- stacking distances
- whether alternative access is available and the distances involved.
All proposed changes are subject to consultation and review by the relevant road authorities.
Private level crossing assessments
For private crossings, we consult with landowners to consider specific requirements such as farm operations and the movement of farm machinery or livestock. All crossings are designed to comply with the relevant standards.
Safety treatments
Safety treatments may include:
- installation of/upgrade to boom barriers and flashing lights
- installation/upgrade of stop sign crossings to meet current standards
- crossing closures, road diversions or realignments
- grade separation (for example road and rail bridges).
We aim to optimise safety at all level crossings while minimising traffic disruption to local communities.
Existing level crossing closures
Any closure of existing public level crossings will adhere to state legislation to ensure relevant issues have been considered along with adequate consultation.
Existing private level crossings will not be closed unless there is alternative legal property access available and the landowner has agreed to the closure.
