Safer Level Crossings

Wherever railway lines meet a road or footpath – a unique set of safety hazards exist.

Engineering and infrastructure improvements, installation of warning signals and automatic pedestrian gates, education and enforcement can improve safety at level crossings. However, in line with other Australian jurisdictions, we also need to consider reducing the number of railway crossings.

The combination of speed, people and freight travelling on intersecting rail and road systems has the potential for high impact or catastrophic incidents. Even a collision with a low speed train or tram can result in serious injury or death, particularly for pedestrians.

The fewer opportunities for people and vehicles to meet at an intersecting train or tram track, the safer and more reliable our network will be. Other benefits include improved traffic flow and reduced travel times, allowing us to more efficiently move people, goods and services on our roads and public transport networks.

The Railway Crossing Safety Improvement Program aims to improve safety at South Australia’s railway crossings in line with South Australia’s Railway Crossing Safety Strategy (PDF, 1305 KB) (PDF, 1305 KB).

Improvements to date include:

• Signs and pavement markings were upgraded at Trimmer Parade, Seaton, and Eastern Parade, Port Adelaide level crossings.
• The speed limit was reduced from 110 or 100km/h to 80km/h on the approach to 13 level crossings in regional areas.
• Signage is being upgraded at level crossings on the Adelaide Metropolitan Rail Passenger Network.
• The overhead cables at Eyre Highway, Ceduna level crossing were relocated underground
• Traffic surveys have been undertaken at several level crossings with possible queueing issues to determine the extent and investigate solutions
• Active Advance Warning signs have been installed at Augusta Highway, Snowtown level crossing
• Provision of better pedestrian crossing facilities at Main Road, Blackwood level crossing and minor earthworks
• Investigating a signal system interface to improve interaction between traffic signals at level crossings
• Installation of queue relocation at Cross Road, Plympton Park level crossing for pedestrian and bicyclist safety
• Upgrading two level crossings on the SteamRanger line at Currency Creek replacing give way signs with flashing lights and bells
• Upgrading the Cormack Road, Dry Creek level crossing replacing the flashing lights with flashing lights and boom gates.

Upcoming Improvements:

• Upgrading the Mill Crossing on the Pichi Richi line at West Terrace, Quorn replacing give way signs with flashing lights.

Major Public Transport Projects

The $238 million Torrens Junction rail underpass at Park Terrace, and the Outer Harbor rail overpass built as part of the $896 million Torrens to Torrens project have significantly improved safety and efficiency with drivers no longer having to wait for trains to pass and include improved features for commuters, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The $174 million Oaklands Crossing Grade Separation Project, completed in July 2019, has improved safety for all road users and eases traffic congestion as a result of lowering the rail line under the road and removing the level crossing at the intersection of Morphett and Diagonal roads.

The next priority level crossings identified for removal are Torrens Road, Ovingham and Brighton Road, Hove.

The $615 million Gawler Rail Electrification Project will deliver a faster, cleaner and more reliable service, delivering an electrified network between Gawler and Seaford, through Adelaide, that will support increased capacity and future growth for development along the rail corridor and in northern Adelaide.

The next priority level crossing identified for removal is Oaklands Crossing.  Site set up commenced in April 2018 with the project commencing mid-2018 until late 2019.