Level crossing safety

Level crossings allow road users including pedestrians to safely cross railway tracks.

There are more than 2,800 level crossings in Queensland. Of these more than 1,400 level crossings are on public roads, with the remainder on private roads.

Individual rail and road agencies are responsible for managing and funding level crossing safety on their rail networks.

Level crossings generally have protection including:

• static warning signs such as stop and give way signs which are typically found in rural and regional areas. They require the road user to carefully check for trains in both directions to ensure the tracks are clear before crossing
• active warning devices such as boom gates or pedestrian gates and/or flashing lights which are typically found in urban areas. They require the road user to stop and wait for the lights to stop flashing and the gates to open before crossing.

You must follow the Queensland road rules around level crossings to avoid incidents and save lives.

Next time you're at a level crossing keep in mind the following safety tips.

If you are a motorist:

• be aware of your surroundings and obey all signs, boom gates and lights
• slow down to a speed which allows you to stop quickly
• always keep tracks clear – only cross the level crossing if there is enough clearance on the other side of the crossing
• never assume it is safe to cross when the lights are flashing as there may be another train approaching from the other direction
• never race a train – trains in the distance are often closer and travelling faster than they appear
• remember it can take up to 2km for a loaded freight train to stop in an emergency
• slow down, check your surroundings and obey all level crossing signs in regional areas. Vegetation, trees, dust or sun glare may make it much harder for road users to see an approaching level crossing and/or train
• most regional crossings are protected by a give way or stop sign so look in both directions and only proceed across the tracks if there are no trains approaching.

If you are a pedestrian:

• obey all warning signs
• use pedestrian walkways and only enter the crossing when the pedestrian gate is open
• avoid distractions like your mobile phone and headphones
• dismount your bicycle or other wheeled device such as scooter or skateboard before crossing, as wheels can get stuck or slip on the train tracks
• if using mobility aid with wheels, always cross at right angles.

Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy

The Queensland Government is committed to zero harm at level crossings across Queensland. The Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024–2033 sets out a road map for how we will meet the challenges involved in enhancing level crossing safety outcomes across regional and South East Queensland.

The strategy targets a wide range of initiatives, including:

• promoting safe behaviour at rail level crossing
• identifying opportunities to deliver lower-cost high impact emerging technology and innovative solutions
• supporting the development of improved data and knowledge on level crossings
• increasing the coordination and sharing between these responsible for level crossing safety.

The Queensland Level Crossing Safety Action Plan 2024-2026 is the first action plan under the Strategy. It prioritises key initiatives that will be pursued.

Download and read:

• Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033 (PDF, 2.4MB) or (Word, 2.9MB)
• Queensland Level Crossing Safety Action Plan 2024-2026 (PDF 917KB) or (Word, 369KB).

If you are unable to print these documents, you can email [email protected] for a copy.

Queensland Level Crossing Safety Group

The Queensland Level Crossing Safety Group is represented by key rail and road stakeholders who have responsibilities relating to improving level crossing safety in Queensland.

The key role of the group is to provide leadership and the overall direction to achieve the objectives of the Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033. It meets regularly to maintain oversight and monitor progress of both the Strategy’s initiatives and Action Plan. 

SEQ Level Crossing Program

The Queensland Government's approach to upgrading level crossings across South East Queensland (SEQ) is outlined in the SEQ Level Crossing Program.

This program is part of a long-term strategy for upgrading and removing SEQ level crossings to improve the performance, safety and resilience of the transport network for all users.

National Level Crossing Safety Strategy

The National Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2023-2032 (National Strategy) represents a commitment to reducing the incidence of fatalities and injuries across Australia’s level crossings. The National Strategy guides the work of the National Level Crossing Safety Committee currently chaired by the Department of Transport and Main Road’s Director-General.

The Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2024-2033 purposely aligns with the National Strategy in enabling joint efforts across the Australian Government and other state jurisdictions, as well as establish effective collaboration and shared responsibility between the authorities for the road and rail networks. It also enables opportunities for the national work program to be leveraged and adapted to Queensland’s specific circumstances.

Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM)

The Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM) is an assessment tool used to:

• prioritise level crossing safety improvement works
• identify the most effective treatment at the site.

Assessment outcomes are used to identify priority level crossings for safety upgrades.

ALCAM looks at many factors at the crossing, including:

• road geometry
• road and rail traffic volume and speed
• visibility
• existing protection measures at crossing.

ALCAM is the Australian and New Zealand standard for assessing level crossings and is overseen by a national committee of representatives from various jurisdictions to ensure its consistency of development and application. Queensland is represented on the committee by Queensland Rail. Find out more about ALCAM.