As part of the project to achieve greater integration between road and rail to improve freight efficiency, the NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail are looking at ways to upgrade some of New Zealand’s busiest level crossings.
The two organisations are taking a new approach by recognising that level crossing safety is a shared challenge between the two modes says the Transport Agency’s Freight Portfolio Director David Silvester.
“When it comes to the movement of freight, which is the lifeblood of our economy, safety and efficiency go hand in hand,” David says.
“By working closely with KiwiRail we are developing a ‘one network’ approach that will help us improve the performance of both road and rail.”
An example of this is a project which was launched in conjunction with the Police, local government and TrackSAFE, called ‘Always expect trains’.
The campaign features a very large train-like billboard that has been moving around rural level crossings in the lower North Island.
We have also been analysing data on traffic movements and incidents at level crossings, to identify those on the State Highway network that are of a high priority. Once this is complete (check timing?…) we will target the top 10 and identify the options for improving safety and efficiency.
This week is Rail Safety Week, which aims to encourage safe behaviour around trains and train tracks. For more information about Rail Safety Week see the Tracksafe website .
