A level crossing near the New South Wales town of Quirindi has been chosen as the site for a new RAXS (Rail Active Crossing System) trial, with its history of fatal crashes serving part of its criteria for selection.
The $1.2 million trial will hopefully improve level crossing safety in regional areas through the application of flashing lights at the crossing and advanced warning signage on the road that will be triggered by any oncoming trains.
The RAXS has been developed by Rail Safety Systems and is a modular low-cost solution that uses wireless train-activated technology.
The announcement of the trial comes at the commencement of Rail Safety Week, where National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto urged heavy vehicle operators to exercise caution when approaching rail lines.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison hopes the new technology will eventually improve safety outcomes for regional drivers across the state.
“Earlier this year I was at the National Level Crossing Safety Removal Roundtable where we learned as few as one in five (22 per cent) of drivers are stopping at regional passive level crossings – this is unacceptable,” Aitchison says.
“What is so innovative about the RAXS trial is that it is designed specifically for regional and rural areas and effectively turns a passive crossing into an active one and I look forward to seeing the outcome of this trial at Callaghans Lane near Quirindi.
“The NSW government is committed to implementing a suite of measures to improve level crossing safety, including grade separation, infrastructure upgrades, new technology trials and low speed limits, depending on the circumstances and constraints at each crossing.”
The system is solar powered, wireless, requires little maintenance and can be quickly and cost-effectively installed.
In the event of a system disruption, it automatically enters ‘stop sign’ mode and becomes like a passive crossing, with motorists required to obey stop sign rules.
If successful, RAXS technology could make activating more regional level crossings more affordable and rolled out more quickly.
To cost of a traditional level crossing upgrade treatment could fund up to three RAXS site upgrades.
“Our autonomous system operates entirely off-grid, proving that safety and efficiency can coexist,” Rail Safety Systems business development lead Andy Turnbull says.
“Our RAXS technology not only enhances visibility and reliability but also drastically reduces installation costs and time, which we believe make it a game-changer for rural and remote crossings.
“Some of the standout features of this system are a fail-to-safe design which ensures that in the event of a system failure or power loss, the level crossing automatically shifts to a traditional STOP sign mode and a central Remote Crossing Management System that ensures real-time monitoring and rapid response to any faults.”
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