Transport technology case study: Level Crossing Technology Trial

^{Level Crossing Technology Trial Narromine. Image: Transport for NSW}

Introduction  

A trial of new radar-activated LED stop signs and advance warning signs, designed to increase motorist awareness of the level crossing and its risk, is underway in three regional NSW locations. 

Challenge  

Level crossing crashes between trains and road vehicles are a major safety risk. From 2001 to 2021, there were 164 crashes at level crossings between trains and road vehicles in NSW, resulting in 16 fatalities and 26 serious injuries. 

NSW has more than 1300 level crossings on public roads. Almost 860 level crossings are controlled by a stop or give way sign. These crossings are mostly in regional, rural and remote areas. 
 

Solution  

The Level Crossing Technology Trial is designed to improve safety at railway level crossings by improving driver awareness of the level crossing and its stop sign, tackling a worldwide safety problem using cost-effective, off-grid technologies. 

The trial features radar-activated LED stop signs and warning signs: 

• Advance Warning Sign – orange ‘wig wag’ lights will flash if an approaching motorist is not slowing down to prepare to stop at the level crossing.
• Augmented Stop Sign – augmented stop signs have LED red lights constantly illuminated in daylight to increase driver awareness of the stop sign at the level crossing. Lights will flash during daylight if an approaching motorist is not slowing down to prepare to stop at the level crossing. During the trial, the augmented stop sign lights will only operate in daylight.

The Augmented Stop Sign and Advance Warning Sign system use solar and battery power to provide reliability and resilience in regional conditions. CCTV will monitor the performance of the system at each site. 

Led by Transport for NSW, the project is part of the Smart Places Acceleration Program and has been developed with collaboration and support from ARTC, Narromine Shire Council, Weddin Shire Council, Sage Automation, ONRSR, RISSB and other stakeholders.

Expected outcomes  

The trial is operating at Bribbaree and two sites in Narromine.

The trial is expected to operate for 24 months from mid-2023 to mid-2025. The technology will be assessed to see whether it provides a safer, reliable and resilient solution to level crossing risks and if successful could be rolled out to additional sites in NSW.

Related information

Transport technology case studies