Major projects commissioned - 2007/08

Major upgrades involve the conversion of sites with passive signage only, to active traffic controls (flashing lights and boom gate) or upgrades of safety improvements to sites with existing active traffic controls.

These sites typically include road and rail intersection integration on a large scale. Major upgrades of this type cost in excess of $400,000.

Fairfield (Pine Road)

Commissioned: 16 September 2007
Total cost: over $500,000.
The RTA, RailCorp and Fairfield City Council worked together to deliver these works on the RailCorp Rail Network.

To reduce the potential for motor vehicles to queue across the railway tracks, the existing lights, booms and bells were interfaced with new RTA traffic signals at the intersection of Pine Road and Fairfield Street.

Baan Baa (Baranbah Street - to Caloola)

Commissioned: 28 September 2007
Total cost: over $565,000.
The RTA, ARTC, Narrabri Shire Council and RailCorp’s Level Crossing Unit worked together to deliver this site on the Country RIC Network.

On 4 May 2004, there was a fatal collision at this site involving a CountryLink Xplorer and RMV.

The upgrade from passive stop signs to active protection included:
· lights, bells and retro-reflective boom gates, with high intensity (LED) lights and additional warning lights;
· removal of non-frangible material;
· road works including new curb and guttering; and
· improved road marking and signage (to comply with AS1742.7).

Tamworth (Robert Street)

Commissioned: 20 December 2007.
Total cost: over $600,000.
The RTA, ARTC, Tamworth City Council and RailCorp’s Level Crossing Unit worked together to deliver this site on the RIC Rail Network.

Traffic controls for motorists were upgraded from flashing lights with the upgrade including the installation of:
· lights, bells and retro-reflective boom gates, with high intensity (LED) lights and additional warning lights;
· alterations to train detection including installation of a constant warning time device;
· removal of non-frangible material; and
· other minor improvements to comply with AS1742-7 (2007).

Traffic Controls for pedestrians were upgraded from a passive maze on one side of the street to facilities on both side of the street.

Tamworth (Green Street)

Commissioned: 20 December 2007.
Total cost: $300,000.
The RTA, ARTC, Tamworth City Council and RailCorp’s Level Crossing Unit worked together to deliver this site on the RIC Rail Network.

This is a pedestrian access only crossing – there is no access for motor vehicles.

The existing pedestrian maze was replaced with audible (bells), physical (gates) and visual (lights) warnings of approaching trains through the installation of:
· locking pedestrian swing gates with emergency exits (the locks prevent the gates from being forced open when a train is approaching);
· active ‘red man’ light;
· improved pedestrian fencing to encourage pedestrians to use the facility to cross the tracks;
· improved path delineation through yellow tactile marking on path edge and at the start of the crossing;
· wide path across the tracks.

This work provides safer and easier access for all pedestrians, particularly those less mobile.