The research is focused on incidents where drivers making a right-hand turn onto a level crossing fail to detect a train, leading to vehicle impact. An unfortunate example of this scenario occurred on 16 September 2020, when a bus turned right across Railway Road onto a level crossing at the Clevely Line near Palmerston North. The bus collided with a train. Sadly, the bus driver died at the scene and several passengers also suffered minor injuries.
The first part of WSP's research - an eye tracking study - is complete. This aimed to gather data on how drivers’ ‘stopping’ behaviour and ‘looking for trains’ behaviour changed depending on the type of level crossing infrastructure.
Six drivers were equipped with eye-tracking glasses and drove their own cars through several level crossings, as well as participating in a survey.
At rushed crossings with fast approaches, poor looking behaviours and less stop compliance was observed. It was also found that the more controls present at a crossing, the less likely drivers were to check for trains - demonstrating a high level of trust in safety signals. Where there were fewer controls (e.g., just stop signs), there was more active looking for trains, and slower driver behaviour.
Phase two of the research is now in progress. Data is being collected using cameras, LiDAR and radar to capture the driving behaviour of a larger number of drivers.
Equipment is being installed across six sites with non-signalled level crossings to determine vehicle speed, and behaviour in relation to stopping (or not stopping). Manual analysis of video data will be done to understand more about vehicle classification and driver head movements.
Results from the research will be used by KiwiRail to develop design guidance for level crossings.
Visit the Track Safe website for lots of great rail safety resources.
