ABSTRACT
Crashes at rail level crossings (RLCs) constitute a major safety concern, as they are often catastrophic, involving multiple fatalities and traumatic injuries. In 2011, 49 RLC (rail level crossing) collisions were recorded in Australia, leading to 33 fatalities (ATSB, 2012). The costs associated with RLC crashes in Australia have been estimated at approximately AUD $24 million per year. In the European Union (EU), RLC collisions and fatalities represent more than one-quarter of all railway crashes occurring on the EU railway system, with 604 fatal and serious injury casualties recorded during 2011 (European Railway Agency, 2013). Figures from the United States are similar, with 247 fatalities and 705 injuries at RLCs in 2009 (US Department of Transportation, 2014). Given the high levels of trauma and disruption to rail and road networks associated with RLC crashes, their prevention represents a key priority area for rail and road organizations around the world.
