Trial goes live: NSW Government delivering first of its kind tech to improve regional rail safety and save lives

The NSW Government is strengthening its commitment to building a safer, more connected NSW by rolling out cutting-edge level crossing safety technology at a site near Quirindi. 

The regional crossing was once marked by tragedy but is now the site of innovation, with the NSW Government launching the state’s first trial of a cutting-edge safety system that could help prevent future fatalities. 

The $1.2 million trial of the Rail Active Crossing System (RAXS) has been activated at Callaghans Lane, with lights flashing from today.   

The modular, solar-powered system uses wireless train detection to trigger flashing lights, bells, and clear warning signs, converting a passive crossing into a fully active one. 

The technology has been purpose-built for regional and remote areas, where traditional infrastructure may not be feasible, but the risks are real and often deadly. 

The RAXS trial is a joint initiative of Transport for NSW, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Rail Safety Systems, with funding from the NSW Government ($715,000) and the Australian Government ($500,000) through the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program. 

The technology was installed in July and activated after rigorous safety testing. 

The trial runs through to mid-2026, with monitoring in place to assess how motorists interact with the new system. 

Importantly, the installed cameras will not be used for enforcement and will be removed at the end of the trial. 

The announcement coincides with National Rail Safety Week, a time to reflect on the more than 4,500 rail workers who have lost their life at work since the 1850s, and to reaffirm the need to protect all those who use and work around the rail network. 

With more than 2,700 level crossings across NSW, and more than 850 passively controlled in regional areas, the NSW Government is taking action to help road and rail users get home safely. 

Read the full media release here (PDF, 244.6 KB)