Sight distance requirements for a predefined set of characteristic heavy vehicles at rail crossings were developed via the use of field test results and computer simulations. These results are intended for incorporation into the Austroads Guide to Road Design and to provide input to a review of Australian Standard AS 1742.7-2007. Potential safety issues were highlighted by comparison of results with AS 1742.2-2007 and analysis of heavy vehicle driver perception of train speed. Video footage of a passive control railway level crossing filmed from a prime mover cab was prepared. Applications of this could include training of road authority staff, training in the road transport industry and informing policy debate in regard to future developments at railway level crossings. The main premise of the video is that the speeds of trains are so fast that the driver has to commit to clearing the crossing while the train is still a long way from the crossing, too far away to make a reliable judgement about the speed of the train. To assist with this difficult situation a safety checklist for drivers negotiating railway level crossings was developed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract