Rail Active Crossing System (RAXS) Trial at Quirindi

^{Image: Example of an installed RAXS}

Project background

Callaghans Lane Level Crossing near Quirindi has been chosen as the site for a $1.2 million trial of digital technology specifically designed to improve level crossing safety in regional and remote areas.

This will be the first use in NSW of the RAXS, which is a modular low-cost solution that uses wireless train-activated technology.

The RAXS system will upgrade the passive crossing at Callaghans Lane to an active site, where approaching trains activate flashing lights and bells to warn motorists to stop.

The Callaghans Lane crossing was chosen because it met a number of requirements for a suitable site, including its previous accident history, for a trial on the rail network managed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

The NSW Government is providing $715,000 in funding for the trial, along with $500,000 from the Australian Government’s Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program.

Transport for NSW will run the trial in partnership with ARTC and technology company Rail Safety Systems (RSS) which designed the RAXS.

The system is solar-powered, wireless, and features a modular design. It can be installed quickly and cost-effectively, requiring less maintenance.

This may address some of the challenges in implementing more activated level crossings in regional and remote NSW.

In the rare event of a system disruption, RAXS automatically enters ‘stop sign’ mode reverting to a passive crossing where motorists must obey the sign.

Current active level crossings activate warning bells and lights until maintenance crews arrive.

If successful, the trial of RAXS technology could make regional level crossings cheaper and faster to activate. Up to three sites could be upgraded for the cost of a traditional level crossing treatment.
    
Local track and roadworks were completed in February 2025 in preparation for the installation of RAXS.

The final stage of work, including site preparation, installation and activation of the crossing, is scheduled to occur between Monday 14 July and Friday 25 July.
   
Work will take place between 7am and 5pm on both weekdays and weekends.

Before being activated for public use, the crossing will undergo rigorous reliability, line-of-sight, and safety testing.

These dates are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

The trial period is due for completion in mid-2026.
 

Contact us

For any enquiries, please contact the Transport for NSW project team at the email address below:

Email: RAXSTrial@transport.nsw.gov.au

For urgent enquiries, please phone: 0474508033.