Elevating Level Crossing Safety in New Zealand's Land Transport Strategy
As someone passionate about level crossing safety in New Zealand, I feel compelled to share my thoughts on the recently released Draft Government Policy Statement on land transport for 2024/25-2033/34 (GPS 2024).
With the public consultation phase currently underway, it's vital that we collectively voice our opinions on this critical issue. You can provide your feedback via their questionnaire (linked here).
Why this is important
New Zealand has a staggering 3200 railway level crossings, half of which intersect with public roads. Despite this, only 57% of the public crossings have active safety controls like flashing lights, bells, or barrier arms. This leaves the remaining 43% of public crossings protected merely by give way, stop signs, or no signs at all. This places a disproportionate burden of responsibility onto the public.
My responses
I have submitted my responses to the online survey, focusing specifically on the need for an explicit, well-funded strategy to tackle the issue of level crossing safety. I've cited relevant legal frameworks, such as the Railways Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act, which mandate that safety risks be eliminated before minimisation and that engineering controls take precedence over administrative measures.
Question 1: Strategic Priorities
Their question: Do you agree with the strategic priorities and direction that are outlined in GPS 2024?
My answer:
"While the strategic priorities in GPS 2024 address critical aspects like resilience and reliability, the document misses a vital area: level crossing safety. With nearly $9 billion allocated to rail network enhancements, the risks at level crossing locations will likely increase. It's crucial to introduce specific action points or an activity class focused on level crossing safety, which remains an area of ever-present risk in New Zealand. The Railways Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act require prioritises the elimination of safety risks, and a dedicated activity class focused on level crossing safety is crucial, especially given the nearly $9 billion allocated to rail network enhancements."
Question 2 - Strategic Investment Programme
Their question: Do you have any comments on the Strategic Investment Programme?
My answer:
"The mention of an Auckland & Wellington Level Crossing upgrade and Removal Programme under the Strategic Investment Programme is promising but insufficient. Level crossing safety is a nationwide issue that requires a dedicated focus. A specific activity class should be introduced, utilising existing methodology like the Level Crossing Safety Impact Assessment, to prioritise high-risk crossings."
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Question 3 - Funding increases
Their question: Do you agree with the funding increases associated with the GPS 2024? Do you have any comments on how funding has been allocated across the various Activity Classes in GPS 2024?
My answer:
"While the funding increases are generally commendable, they overlook the significance of level crossing safety. The current allocation to the Safety Strategic Priority and Safety activity class (P25, P47) doesn't explicitly cover level crossing safety, a critical gap that needs addressing.
The allocation across various Activity Classes misses an opportunity to directly fund level crossing safety. Given the low probability but high consequence nature of incidents at level crossings, a dedicated activity class or funding allocation should be considered"
Question 4 - Ministerial expectations
Their question: Do you agree with the Ministerial expectations as outlined in GPS 2024?
My answer:
"The Ministerial expectations rightly focus on strategic objectives but seem to sideline critical safety issues like level crossings. Considering the alarming statistics around near misses and collisions at level crossings, the expectations should include directives for immediate action in this area."
Question 5 - Further information
Their question: Do you have any other comments on GPS 2024?
My answer:
Overall, GPS 2024 should give more attention to the 3200 railway level crossings in New Zealand, where only 57% have active safety controls. The document needs to account for the high-risk nature of these crossings and allocate dedicated resources to address them. A targeted activity class for level crossing safety could be a practical step towards reducing risks.
Take Action
I encourage everyone to participate in the public consultation process and make your voices heard. Feel free to use and adapt my survey answers to reinforce the importance of prioritising level crossing safety in New Zealand's transport policy. Level crossing safety is not just a transportation issue; it's a public health and safety concern that warrants attention.
Operational Safety Advisor at KiwiRail
1 年One of the issues I see all the time is people not giving rail level crossings due care by slowing down or properly stopping. I see too many people racing past even after the lights and bells activate. I personally would like to see cameras rolled out across all high traffic areas and high risk areas.
Independent chair and safety consultant
1 年From the work we do in the UIC - International union of railways #UICrail Global Level Crossing Network, few existing networks could feasibly eliminate or re-engineer all level crossings. So the first step is always about effective risk assessment to understand the appropriate design/features for each specific location. That informs which ones need most investment and which to tackle first. The best risk control almost always involves a mix of engineering, education and enforcement. But compliance cameras aren't always about enforcement. Network Rail and British Transport Police successfully target transgressors with specialist training (for which they have to pay a fee as an alternative to a fine) in level crossing safe use. The attendees talk about what they learn about the risks and compliance with friends and family. And re-offending is almost non-existent.
Owner Interface Manager - ō2NL North Alliance - Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
1 年Great insights Russell, thanks for sharing. Having spent 2 years with the Rail Safety Regulator, I understand and support the points you're making. My thoughts - as good a step forward as it would be, I'm not sure an Activity Class within the GPS would solve the inherent problem, which is confusion about funding responsibilities between the road controlling authorities and rail access providers. This is driven by years of legislation and policy that creates an environment that suggests the last one to arrive (road or rail) should pay for any improvements. An Activity Class would still leave competition between road controlling authorities (state or local, sometimes both) and the rail access provider. I think it would take bold and bespoke investment by the government through entities established specifically to deliver safety improvements at level crossing, like we see with the LXRP in Victoria which is delivering social, environmental, urban realm, congestion and safety benefits.
Railway Signalling Engineer
1 年How much more speeding (and speed related accidents) do you think there would be on NZ roads if there were zero fixed and mobile speed cameras? So many of the accidents at Level Crossings seem to be caused by users breaking the rules, if there was a roll-out of safety cameras to catch and fine people who didn't treat crossings with the respect they deserve, I feel that eventually behaviours would change. With modern digital cameras, comms options and video analytics technology, it should be cheaper than ever to roll out a solution for this. The problem seems to be that neither the railways or the police see it as their responsibility to police this issue.
Systems Engineer | Systems Thinker | Traffic Engineer | Committee Member - INCOSENZ, ITE-ANZ, ITE-TENC
1 年Agree 100%. With the different levels of protection at Level crossings across the country, one tends to presume that there is enough safety and protection in place and might just drive or walk across the uncontrolled level crossings without giving adequate attention to approaching trains.