Types of level crossings

Railway crossings in NSW are classified in two ways. Firstly by their function and then by their origin (and therefore whether access must legally be provided). Every railway crossing has both a function and origin classification.

Function

Public road	This means the railway crossing is located on main or local roads (the RTA or local government is the road owner)..
Pedestrian	These railway crossings are designed to allow pedestrians to cross rail lines. Pedestrian railway crossings may also be located off the end of platforms, as they do not have to be in association with a road crossing.
Private	These railway crossings allow access to private properties, or between parts of private properties. Private railway crossings are for the use of the property holder and their nominees and not open to public access. Although they are often called farm crossings, they are not always found in rural areas.
Service	These railway crossings are owned and maintained by rail authorities to allow authorised personnel to cross the track. They may be located in depots and station yards, or in field situations for maintenance access.

Origin

Accommodation	This is a public or private railway crossing that qualifies as "accommodation works" as defined in Section 91 of the Public Works Act. It was provided by the constructing authority at the time of construction of a new railway line, to maintain existing access. So where a rail line cuts access to a road or property the rail authority was, and still is, obliged to provide and maintain access.
Licensed	This is a public or private railway crossing that does not qualify as "accommodation works". Access via this crossing was provided after a rail line has been constructed and requires a licence agreement between the track owner and the entity requesting usage.

Definitions sourced from TS 27 000 1 01SP

Railway crossing protection

The level of protection provided at railway crossings is determined on site on a case by case basis.

Railway crossing protection falls into two categories.

Passive protection uses signs (stop or give way) to warn motorists about a level crossing.

Active protection uses one or more of lights, bells, boom gates or lit signs to warn motorists that a train is approaching a level crossing.

Grade separation (underpasses or over-bridges) requires major reconstruction of road and rail infrastructure usually costing tens of millions of dollars. This type of work is funded and undertaken by the RTA.