Pedestrian Safety Upgrade Program
Overview
The State Government has committed $9 million to improve safety at South Australian pedestrian rail crossings.
A range of rail safety treatments will be applied across the network under the program, including:
- Automated pedestrian gates
- Smooth footpath surfaces at pedestrian crossings
- ‘Another Train’ warning signals
- Pedestrian mazeways
- Fencing upgrades
Automated Pedestrian Gates
Automated gates have been installed at Hove Station and the level crossing on Brighton Road on the Noarlunga line, and at Woodville Station on the Outer Harbour line.
On the Gawler line construction commenced at Smithfield in July and plans are underway to install gates at Oaklands as part of the new Interchange. Gates will be installed at Parafield later in 2008.
Features of the pedestrian gates include:
- Automated gates that close at the same time as the road boom gates close when a train approaches, preventing pedestrians from entering the railway tracks
- An audible alarm sounds alerting pedestrians that there is a train coming and the gates are closing
- A 1.8 metre wide path that features tactile surface indicators on each side to assist pedestrians with vision or mobility impairment
- An emergency exit which is designed to allow users to exit the railway tracks safely and without difficulty if they have already entered the crossing when the pedestrian gates start to close
Smooth footpath surfaces at pedestrian crossings
A number of sites have been identified for installation of smooth surfaces. These will feature a 1.8 metre wide smooth path crossing rail tracks that features tactile surface indicators on each side to assist pedestrians with vision or mobility impairment.
‘Another Train’ warning signals
Statistics show that most deaths at rail crossings are due to pedestrians not being aware that more than one train is approaching. In an effort to improve safety, signs warning of ‘another train’ are being developed and these will be trialled at various locations later this year.
These signs will illuminate and an audible alarm will sound warning pedestrians that there is more than one train approaching the pedestrian mazeway at roughly the same time.
Pedestrian mazeways
A number of locations will have new pedestrian mazeways installed.
Fencing upgrades
Fences will be upgraded to clearly delineate mazeways and to improve pedestrian safety.
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