The State Level Crossing Strategy Advisory Committee (SLCSAC) was established in 2003 to improve the coordination efforts between Government agencies and key stakeholders in improving level crossing safety, and to act as an advisory body to the Minister for Road Safety. The Committee focus on fundamental strategies and policies to promote and assist the relevant road and rail infrastructure managers with the continuous improvement of safety to reduce crash trauma at level crossings in South Australia. The SLCSAC meets four times a year and is chaired by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI). Membership comprises of representatives from the following organisations: • Australian Rail Track Corporation • Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union • Heritage Rail SA Inc • Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure • Genesee & Wyoming Australia • Great Southern Railway Limited • Local Government Association • Pacific National • Royal Automobile Association • South Australia Police • TransAdelaide. The 2010-2012 Railway Level Crossing Safety Strategy is based on the 3E’s — education, enforcement and engineering. The strategy will guide decision making and recommendations to the Minister for Road Safety. State funds of up to $11 m have been allocated over the next three years for engineering treatments at level crossings, an education and advertising campaign, the Black Spot program (a matching fund with local government) and proposed safety camera installations. In 2009/10 the State funds for engineering treatments will be supplemented by the Commonwealth funded Boom Gates for Rail Crossings program. The objective of this Level Crossing Safety Strategy and Action Plan is to reduce the number, cost and trauma of crashes (and near-misses) at rail level crossings by the most cost-effective means. Actions include: • Rolling out red-light camera technology at selected rail level crossings. • Continuing to roll out ‘boom gates and flashing lights’ at level crossings. • Working with local councils to rationalise and close selected high risk level crossings. • Funding a Level Crossing Black Spot program in partnership with local councils. • Continuing the installation of automated pedestrian gates and the ‘More Than One Train’ warning system at suburban pedestrian rail crossings. • Supporting education campaigns including targeted enforcement campaigns by South Australia Police (SAPOL) to discourage bad behaviour at level crossings. • Establishing interface agreements between track owners and the road authority to manage level crossing risks. • Investigating new signalling and telecommunications technologies. (Author/publisher)
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