Level Crossing Assessment Model
The Level Crossing Assessment Model (LCAM) is a rigorous process to evaluate relative safety risk of level crossings and a method to determine the optimum treatment for individual sites. At the May 2003 Australian Transport Council (ATC) meeting all state and territory transport ministers agreed to adopt this innovative method of risk assessment. It is the only comprehensive level crossing model in Australia.
The Level Crossing Strategy Council uses LCAM to objectively prioritise upgrades across NSW. A list of sites LCAM indicates require treatment is used to develop the state’s annual $5 million Level Crossing Safety Improvement Program. The Level Crossing Unit co-ordinates the assessment and installation of treatment options.
LCAM allows a computer analysis of over 70 risk factors for each site and allows testing of proposed treatments to see how the LCAM score increases or decreases. By doing consecutive runs, different scenarios can be assessed so the model can score the optimum treatment. This means each safety dollar is spent where it can generate the greatest safety improvement. The factors include:
- road and rail volumes and speeds at existing level crossings;
- safety treatments;
- number of tracks;
- road quality;
- vision of road vehicles to train;
- vision of rail vehicles to road; and
- adjacent road geometry.
For each level crossing, there is a range of treatment options. Integrated, tailored solutions must involve both the road and rail authorities and are co-ordinated by the Level Crossing Unit. Treatment options include:
Road focused |
Rail focused |
passive (signage improvements) |
active (bells; lights; boom gates) |
advanced warning signs |
high intensity lamps |
queuing treatment |
train speed reduction |
traffic signal coordination |
rail realignment |
road realignment
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sight line improvements
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sight line improvements
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closure
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upgrade of the protection mechanism, e.g. installation of lights/bells/boom gates ($350,000 to $750,000 for each site)
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Many of the higher ranked sites in the program require changes to road and rail infrastructure. The 10 top priority sites are all fitted with type F lights, bells, and half boom gates. For many sites the complexities and development time mean they will remain on the program for a number of years. Sites may be completed out of LCAM order as some sites have simpler development requirements than others.
As sites are upgraded, closed or site evaluation shows treatment is not required, the priority order changes.
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LCSC MEMBERS
