Information for local government

Local government is responsible for managing the roads at 90% of NSW public road railway crossings and so councils are key participants in safety management at railway crossing on their roads. Local government provides input into the Level Crossing Safety Improvement Program and must consider railway crossings in their planning and development activities.

Local government also maintain the road infrastructure associated with railway crossings, has legislative requirements, and are jointly responsible for reducing risk at railway crossings.

For example: local government is responsible for providing and maintaining warning signs on the approaches to railway level crossings in accordance with Australian Standard (AS1742.7 – 2007).

Maintenance requirements and Australian Standard AS1742 relating to railway level crossings

AS1742.7 Manual of uniform traffic control devices 2007 - please note the new standard has been updated from the 1993 standard. Further information is available from the Standards Australia website.

This standard specifies what traffic control equipment is to be used to control and warn traffic in advance of and at railway crossings. It specifies the way in which this equipment is to be used to achieve the level of traffic control required for the safety of rail traffic and road users. Requirements and guidance are also given on the illumination and reflection of signs, on their installation and location, and on selecting the appropriate sign size.

Road owner maintenance issues include:

Road approach warning signs.
Road markings at the crossing.
Road approaches and departures.
Vegetation control on the road corridor.
Ensuring that vehicles stopped at the crossing have maximum visibility of trains.
Regular inspection and maintenance of signs and road markings.
Monitoring and assessing the adequacy of the protection available.

Rail owner maintenance issues include:

The traffic control available at the crossing: STOP and Give Way signs, lights, bells and boom gates.
Regular inspection and maintenance of the above signs, equipment and rail infrastructure.
Vegetation control inside the rail corridor.
Ensuring that vehicles stopped at the crossing have maximum visibility of trains.
Monitoring and assessing the adequacy of the protection available.

Local government’s role: the Safety Improvement Program

Road and pedestrian data input into ALCAM assessments: input includes road issues, traffic and pedestrian counts. The accuracy of data input is critical to the assessment outcomes.
Funding contributions to improvements, including obtaining developer contributions.
Road and pedestrian safety data input into improvement proposals: such as road width, Pedestrian Access Mobility Plans (PAMPS) to help determine the need for improved pedestrian facilities, developing options for closure/alternate routes.
Provide engineering support to road upgrades ie. road markings and signage, and contributing to the coordination of road and rail works when new facilities are brought into use.
Keeping the community informed of changes.

Local government’s role: planning and development

Residential or industrial development changes the railway crossing risk profile.
Seek developer contributions to railway crossings where a development impacts on the railway crossing eg. where it increases the traffic count at the crossing.
Inform the railway of significant changes to traffic levels to allow for risk reassessment.
Long and heavy vehicles increase the risk of railway crossings. They have short storage issues, require additional braking distance and a longer time in crossing the railway tracks when accelerating from a standstill. Councils need to take this into consideration when assessing B-Double and other restricted vehicle route proposals.
When considering the suitability of a heavy vehicle route, local governments should consider whether a long vehicle can completely clear a level crossing when stopped at a nearby intersection, that is, ensure it does not block the railway tracks.