Using real-time train data to improve level crossing safety

This project is a feasibility study, examining the how real-time train information could inform pedestrians or road users when a train will be passing, and indicate when and how long the boom gates will be closed.

Firstly, it will examine the foundational algorithm to predict train arrival times and calculate the required waiting time for the train to pass for road users or the boom gates to open. The required degree of accuracy will be defined. While safety will be a key focus, the real time train information will not likely be accurate to the centimetre or second.

The feasibility study and system to be tested has the ultimate aim of improving level crossing safety and user experience. The includes providing information to assist people with disabilities to use crossings safely and help people plan their journey and avoid ‘hot zone’ decisions that contribute to level crossing accidents. It is not intended as a replacement for existing level crossing controls.

This algorithm can consequently facilitate a number of use cases, three of which will be examined in this feasibility study.
All using real-time train position and algorithms, the three use cases will provide:

• crossing and boom gate closure information to pedestrians or road users who use journey planners;
• early warning of a crossing closure and closure timing to people with a disability; and
• warning of a train passing for passive railway crossings

The project will lay out the end user needs, the technical data and system requirements, security, regulatory and stakeholder and safety requirements. This will help deliver the functionality needed with so that the next phase of prototype development can commence with confidence.

Participants

• Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria)
• Metro Trains Melbourne
• La Trobe University‘s Centre for Technology Infusion

Project background

Level crossing safety continues to be a significant concern. With over 2,500 public road and pedestrian rail crossings in Victoria alone (and approximately 20,000 Australia-wide), level crossing incidents result in serious consequences. This innovation project was developed as an initiative under the Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Strategy 2018-2027. This strategy is working towards improving safety at Victoria’s railway level crossings to save lives and reduce the number of incidents at railway crossings.

In order to find new solutions to improve safety the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is exploring new technology solutions. A series of workshops has identified a number of use cases to improve level crossing safety.

There are a lot of different level crossings with varying technologies, and integration and rollout of a real-time application will have differing site-specific requirements. However, using real-time train location information could provide a network-wide solution for many use cases.

At the centre of this project is the development of an algorithm to estimate level crossing closure times based on rail time train position from DTP open data. This algorithm can then be used in a variety of use cases with the overall objective of this project is to investigate the feasibility of these use cases.

Project objectives

Assessment of the feasibility of using real-time train information to predict boom gate closure timings (and warnings at passive crossings).and development of an algorithm that can serve broad applications.

The three use cases targeted in this project are:

1. Using real-time train position to include level crossing closures in journey planning.
2. Using real-time train position and accessibility haptic technology to provide an early warning of a crossing closure for people with a disability.
3. Using the algorithm for passive railway crossings.

Part of the assessment will be to evaluate C-ITS standards to understand  if the solution can be integrated which would make it future-proof.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!