Level Crossings

On average, there are 100 level crossing collisions in Australia and 30 in New Zealand every year.

These collisions often lead to the unnecessary loss of lives. On average, 37 fatalities occur at Australian level crossings and 5 deaths at New Zealand level crossings each year. These avoidable deaths account for more than 95 percent of all rail related fatalities per year.

The rail industry believes every level crossing fatality is preventable and is working towards zero harm at level crossings.

Although railway level crossing crashes are of low frequency when compared to road accidents, they have the potential to cause catastrophic damage. As a result, level crossing safety is the rail industry’s highest safety priority.

In addition to human fatalities and injuries, the derailment of locomotives and train carriages (that can occur as a result of level crossing collisions) causes significant damages and network delays that cost in excess of tens of millions of dollars every time.

Level crossing safety tends to be publicised in response to collisions and their resulting tragedies. NRSW provides the opportunity for rail to demonstrate its proactive approach to achieving zero harm at level crossings.

For additional level crossing information, click here.