Four projects will share in $800,000 worth of funding to support trials and research of low-cost, cutting-edge safety technology for level crossings.
The funding is part of the second round of the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program (RALCSP). Under the first round of the program, $2.8 million was distributed between six projects, which are already underway.
The trials and research will investigate human behaviours at level crossings, trial radar technology that detects upcoming obstacles, engage predictive models to identify high-risk level crossings, and use analytics tools to promote low cost and efficient upgrades.
The results will be used to inform ongoing activities under the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy currently being delivered jointly by the Federal Government, local governments, rail and heavy vehicle industry associations, and regulators.
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Currently, most level crossings in regional Australia have either give way or stop signs, particularly where there is no reliable electricity source.
To address this, the $180.1 million RALCSP is also providing funding to deliver infrastructure upgrades such as rumble strips or boom gates, improve data, and promote safe behaviours around level crossings.
This is consistent with the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 which sets a goal for the Federal, state and territory governments of reducing road deaths by 50 per cent and serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2030.
To learn more about the RALCSP, click here.
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