Level crossings in New Zealand

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There are over 3,000 level crossings in New Zealand, with about 1330 being publicly maintained by KiwiRail as of 2013. [1] Of these, 275 crossings were protected by flashing red lights, bells, and half-arm barriers; and 421 are protected by flashing red lights and bells only. The remainder are controlled by "Stop and Give Way" signs. Level crossings are the responsibility of rail infrastructure owner KiwiRail Network, the NZ Transport Agency, and if the crossing is on a local road, the local city or district council. Much like Australia, New Zealand employs American-made crossing warning equipment. There were also in 2013 some 110 stand-alone public pedestrian level crossings; and some private level crossings, which are the responsibility of the land owner. [2]

Contents

A coal train approaching a controlled level crossing near Aylesbury, New Zealand Coal on Midland Line 1.JPG
A coal train approaching a controlled level crossing near Aylesbury, New Zealand

In 2010, the government contributed $1 million per year to upgrading level crossings. [3]

In 2023, Auckland Transport said that it proposed to close or upgrade all 45 level crossings in Auckland within 30 years, and with an increase in the frequency of suburban trains some level crossings could be closed for up to 45 minutes per hour in the peak period. [4]

Private and heritage railways

On the Taieri Gorge Railway in rural South Island, roads and railways share the same bridge when crossing a river, with the rail line in the road. Motorists, as well as giving way to oncoming traffic if required (the bridges have one lane) must ensure that the bridge is clear of a train, end to end, before starting to cross the bridge. For safety, trains are limited to 10 km/h (6 mph) while crossing the bridges.

History

The first railway in New Zealand was the short Ferrymead Railway from Christchurch in 1863 (see NZ Rail 150), but laying of new lines was slow until the Vogel Era when some thousand miles (1,600 km) of track was laid in seven years from 1874. Lines were initially basic, with improvements made as traffic increased (in the American pattern). Level crossings were preceded by a warning sign only. See photo of Johnsonville railway station c1910 with level crossing in foreground. [5]

When stock droving or moving sheep and cattle on foot was usual, level crossings had a cattle stock (grid) to stop sheep and cattle wandering onto the line, but with increasing use of trucks they began to disappear in the 1960s and the few left will go with track renewal or replacement. [6]

In the early 20th century, warning devices were introduced on trial; wig-wams or flag indicators with bells or gongs (about 38 installed). They were American (from the Union Switch and Signalling Co or Griswold Signal Co), British (Westinghouse Brake and Signal Co, London) and locally designed ones with contra-rotating arms and a gong from Pearson in Wanganui (about 18 installed). Flashing light and bell alarms became standard; American-style K relays then Westinghouse style A. [7] In 1907 a witness to a suburban crossing accident in Kingsland, Auckland described the whistle warning from the engine as too short and not loud enough. [8]

In 1954 there were 2400 level crossings. The first automatic half-arm barrier had been installed at Māngere, Auckland, with another ten to be installed ‘’in the near future’’. By March 1964 when NZR had about four crossings per ten kilometres, there were crossing lights at 469 sites and half-arm barriers at 28 sites (all but one multi-track). On single-track lines a 22-second warning period is used (the original 100 second period encouraged motorists to ‘’take risks’’). For multiple-tracks the period is 25 seconds plus 2 seconds for each additional track. Outer approach track circuits 1200m from the crossing are used so that the alarms do not go off and then go on again for a second train on another track. Sometimes a “SECOND TRAIN COMING ” sign also flashes. [7]

In 1924 a motorcyclist in Christchurch was fined for ignoring a crossing-keeper when a shunting engine was approaching the crossing. [9]

In 1955 the Minister of Railways John McAlpine intervened to have barriers installed at a busy Riccarton crossing in Christchurch. [10]

A level crossing near Gisborne, sees the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line cross one of Gisborne Airport's runways. Aircraft landing on sealed 1310-metre runway 14L/32R are signalled with two red flashing lights on either side of the runway and a horizontal bar of flashing red lights to indicate the runway south of the railway line is closed, and may only land on the 866 metres (2,841 ft) section of the runway north of the railway line. When the full length of the runway is open, a vertical bar of green lights signals to the aircraft, with regular rail signals on either side of the runway indicating trains to stop. [11] [12] This crossing is in regular use by the Gisborne City Vintage Railway.

In 2018 KiwiRail decided to cease turning off some warning bells between 10.30 pm and 7 am because of the number of "near misses" with pedestrians. [13]

In 2019, KiwiRail changed the rate of flashing lights at level crossings from 85 fpm (flashes per minute) to the standard laid down by the "American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association" of 50 fpm so that a new order for level crossing equipment did not have non-standard requirements. [14] In 2019 for Rail Safety Week, KiwiRail installed 'near miss memorials' at level crossings, which were half crosses with a QR code on them linking to a video of a real near miss and a story on how it impacted the train driver. [15]

In 2021 there were calls to fast-track upgrades to Wairarapa crossings at Carterton and Featherston after fatal level crossing accidents; the commuter Wairarapa Connection is to run more frequently. [16]

In 2023, Kiwirail said that ten people had died due to train collisions in the last year, with 80% being in level crossing. There were also 40 train collisions with people or vehicles, and 305 near misses. [17]

A KiwiRail proposal to close five level crossings in the Wairarapa regarded as hazardous aroused mass local opposition. [18] At a Wairarapa level crossing where a woman was seriously injured, police ticketed sixteen drivers in one day! [19] Objections were also raised in 2024 to KiwiRail's estimated cost of keeping a Masterton crossing open. [20]

In Christchurch a KiwiRail demand to close an adjacent cycleway until the Scruttons Road level crossing in Heathcote is upgraded at a cost to ratepayers of $6.5 million (original estimate $2 million; and still at grade) has also aroused opposition. [21]

Accidents and incidents

Near-misses are common in Auckland and Wellington where there are frequent commuter trains on double-tracks where a train may be followed by another train in the opposite direction (sometimes a non-stop freight train). [22] [23] At some crossings, pedestrian gates have been added, which lock automatically when a train is approaching. [24]

KiwiRail runs a public campaign educating the public on rail safety. It is known as the Rail Safety Week , which runs in the second week of August every year. [25]

Level crossing accidents and incidents fall within the scope of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) as rail accident investigator.

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level crossing</span> Intersection where a road crosses a railway at the same level

A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, path, or airport runway, at the same level, as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under using an overpass or tunnel. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion. Other names include railway level crossing, railway crossing, grade crossing or railroad crossing, road through railroad, criss-cross, train crossing, and RXR (abbreviated).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hixon rail crash</span> Fatal collision at a level crossing in 1968

On 6 January 1968, a low-loader transporter carrying a 120-ton electrical transformer was struck by a British Rail express train on a recently installed automatic level crossing at Hixon, Staffordshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Auckland Line</span> Railway line in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lockington rail accident</span> 1986 derailment in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England

In Lockington, England on 26 July 1986, the 09:33 passenger train from Bridlington to Kingston upon Hull on the Hull to Scarborough Line struck a passenger van on a level crossing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Wellington railway station, Wellington Central station, or simply Wellington station, is the main railway station serving Wellington, New Zealand, and is the southern terminus of the North Island Main Trunk, Wairarapa Line and Johnsonville Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wairarapa Line</span> Secondary railway line in New Zealand

The Wairarapa Line is a secondary railway line in the south-east of the North Island of New Zealand. The line runs for 172 kilometres (107 mi), connects the capital city Wellington with the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line at Woodville, via Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Masterton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wairarapa Connection</span> New Zealand railway

The Wairarapa Connection is a New Zealand interurban commuter rail service along the Wairarapa Line between Masterton, the largest town in the Wairarapa, and Wellington. It is operated by Wellington suburban operator Transdev under contract from the Greater Wellington Regional Council. It is a diesel-hauled carriage service, introduced by the New Zealand Railways Department in 1964 after passenger demand between Masterton to Wellington exceeded the capacity of the diesel railcars then used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiwharawhara railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Kaiwharawhara railway station, a former railway station on the North Island Main Trunk and the Wairarapa Line in Wellington in New Zealand, closed in 2013. It was the first station north of Wellington, serving the early suburb of Kaiwharawhara. Prior to its closure it was served by trains operated by Tranz Metro as part of the Metlink network on the Melling Line, the Hutt Valley Line and the Kapiti Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hutt Valley Line</span> Train service in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redwood railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Redwood railway station on the suburban rail network of Wellington, New Zealand, is on the North Island Main Trunk Railway (NIMT). Opening in late 1963, it is double tracked with staggered side platforms; the up platform is on the north side of the Tawa Street level crossing, the down platform on the south. The station serves the suburb of Redwood.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trentham railway station, Upper Hutt</span> Railway station in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level crossings in the United Kingdom</span> Overview of level crossings in the United Kingdom

There are around 6,000 level crossings in the United Kingdom, of which about 1,500 are public highway crossings. This number is gradually being reduced as the risk of accidents at level crossings is considered high. The director of the UK Railway Inspectorate commented in 2004 that "the use of level crossings contributes the greatest potential for catastrophic risk on the railways." The creation of new level crossings on the national network is banned, with bridges and tunnels being the more favoured options. The cost of making significant reductions, other than by simply closing the crossings, is substantial; some commentators argue that the money could be better spent. Some 5,000 crossings are user-worked crossings or footpaths with very low usage. The removal of crossings can improve train performance and lower accident rates, as some crossings have low rail speed limits enforced on them to protect road users. In fact, between 1845 and 1933, there was a 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) speed limit on level crossings of turnpike roads adjacent to stations for lines whose authorising act of Parliament had been consolidated in the Railways Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 although this limit was at least sometimes disregarded.

Designs of level crossings, where railway lines cross roads or other paths, vary country-to-country.

Railway signalling in New Zealand consists of a number of signalling technologies on the national rail network and local light rail systems.

References

  1. ↑ "Level crossings". KiwiRail. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Level Crossings - Information card; one of a 2013 KiwiRail series for 150th anniversary
  3. ↑ "Rail Safety Week urges care around crossings". The Beehive. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Auckland rail crossings will be closed 45 minutes an hour during peak periods". Stuff/Fairfax. 2023.
  5. ↑ "Johnsonville Railway Station". WCC Archives. 1910.
  6. ↑ McQueen 2005, p. 74.
  7. 1 2 Heine 2000, pp. 119, 120.
  8. ↑ "RailwayAccident at Kingsland". New Zealand Herald. 1907.
  9. ↑ "A crossing mishap". Papers Past. 1924.
  10. ↑ "Minister favour barrier for Riccarton Crossing". Papers Past. 1955.
  11. ↑ "Gisborne (NZGS) aerodrome diagram" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  12. ↑ "Gisborne (NZGS) Operational Signal Lights" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. 4 September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  13. ↑ "KiwiRail to bring in bells at level crossings after spate of-near-misses with pedestrians". Stuff/Fairfax. 2018.
  14. ↑ The New Zealand Railfan June 2019 No 349-page 17 (Vol 25 No 3)
  15. ↑ "KiwiRail + DDB NZ launch 'Near Miss Memorials' to remember near misses at rail level crossings". Campaign Brief. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Calls to fast-track upgrades of Wairarapa level crossings after fatal-crash". Stuff/Fairfax. 2021.
  17. ↑ "Kiwirail plans-to close track crossings after ten lose their lives in a year". Stuff/Fairfax. 2023.
  18. ↑ "Mass opposition to KiwiRail plans to close Wairarapa crossings". Stuff/Fairfax. 2023.
  19. ↑ "Police fine 16 drivers in one day for failing to stop at railway level crossing". Stuff/Fairfax. 2023.
  20. ↑ "Traffic management hike up crossing cost". Stuff New Zealand. 23 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "Cycleway to close ...,". The Press, Christchurch. 30 October 2024.
  22. ↑ "near miss- t train tracks in Auckland". Stuff/Fairfax. 2018.
  23. ↑ "Train services disrupted in Auckland-following emergency incident". Stuff/Fairfax. 2018.
  24. ↑ "Terrifying Wellington level crossing made safer". Stuff/Fairfax. 2018.
  25. ↑ "KiwiRail launches new 'Steely Stare' behaviour-change platform for rail safety via FEDERATION". Campaign Brief NZ. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
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