Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
NZ Rail
Text
Investigate the practicability of "delethalising" the level crossing environment progressively be removing obsolete substantial obstructions, and relocating signal stanchions, equipment housings and other essential structures, sited within 500m of track distance from any level crossing, so that they were at least 5 m from the trackside and investigate the practicality of improving the frangibility of warning light/barrier masts so that they minimised the damage inflicted on vehicles which collided with rail vehicles.
Reply Text
Your recommendation to "delethalise" crossing environments should be made in the context of level crossings and be compared to all other roadside hazards such as kerbs, power poles, traffic islands, traffic light standards, notices etc. that the motorist faces. The approach for this issue should be through the LTSA working party undertaking the audit of crossing management. The masts supporting the warning light/barrier were not involved in this accident and played no part in the subsequent damage to the road vehicle.
Related Investigation(s)