Railway Crossing Safety

TrackSAFE works with governments and rail operators to reduce the risk of incidents at railway crossings. 

There are more than 23,000 railway (level) crossings in Australia, places where a road and/or a footpath cross a railway line.  Around half of these are on public roads and other half on private land.

Reducing the risk of accidents at railway crossings is a joint responsibility of car drivers, truck drivers, pedestrians, rail operators and governments.

Trains cannot swerve or stop quickly to avoid a car, truck, person or bicycle at a railway crossing. They can also appear at a crossing unexpectedly. Find out more about TrackSAFE’s Expect the Unexpected: Watch out for Trains campaign here.

Find out more about other railway crossing safety campaigns and strategies here.

TrackSAFE advocates for: the removal of railway crossings; improved design; enforcement of rules at crossings; public awareness campaigns to improve driver and pedestrian behaviour and funding for new research and trials of emerging technologies which may help to reduce fatalities, injuries and near hits.

TrackSAFE hosted a National Level Crossing Safety Forum in 2022 and will host another Forum mid 2024. See TrackSAFE Events for more information.

National Level Crossing Safety Committee (NLCSC).

The NLCSC coordinates national efforts for safer level crossings.  It provides opportunities for knowledge sharing and national consistency in data collection and use, and in technology trials and take up.

The Committee is Chaired by the Director General of the Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads, Sally Stannard, and includes representatives from governments (including New Zealand), the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator and the Chair of the Australasian Railway Association. Rail operators, track owners and managers provide advice to the Committee via an Industry Advisory Committee. The NLCSC has held discussions with community representatives to inform the finalisation of its strategy.

The Committee reports to the Infrastructure and Transport Senior Officials Committee (ITSOC) which in turn reports to the meeting of Ministers.

The Committee is supported by a Secretariat hosted by the Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads.

A 10 year strategy and annual workplan for the Committee is currently being finalised.

Visit our Information Hub for more.

Updated 3/1/2024