Park Terrace Level Crossing, Salisbury, Automated Pedestrian Gates In 2006, the State Government replaced the pedestrian mazes at the Park Terrace level crossing, Salisbury, with automated pedestrian gates, which close at the same time as the road boom gates.
The gates are the first of their kind to be installed in South Australia and form part of the safety improvements identified following the fatal crash at the crossing in October 2002.
The improvements were developed by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, in partnership with TransAdelaide, Australian Rail Track Corporation, the City of Salisbury Council and disability and user groups.
The installation of the pedestrian gates:
- improves safety and accessibility for all users
- encourages improved pedestrian behaviour
- provides for the needs of people with disabilities.
This $600 000 safety initiative to install automated pedestrian gates was funded through the State Black Spot Program, and formed part of the State Government’s $2.1 million total commitment to improve safety at Park Terrace.
Features
The design includes:
- Automated gates that close across the path when a train approaches, preventing access to the railway tracks.
- A red pedestrian warning signal at each gate to indicate the approach or presence of a train.
- A main pathway, 2.4 metres wide, to allow wheel chairs, motorised scooters and prams to pass each other safely.
- A warning device that sounds when a train approaches, and continues to sound until the train has safely passed.
- Tactile surface indicators and line marking on each side of the path to assist pedestrians with vision or mobility impairment.
- An emergency exit next to the main path, which is designed to enable all users to exit the railway tracks safely and without difficulty if they have already entered the crossing when the pedestrian gates start to close.
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How it works
When there is no train approaching, the automated gates will be open, and provide a direct and straight path across the railway tracks. The pedestrian warning signals will not be visible.
Artist’s impression of pedestrian gates at Park Terrace, Salisbury level crossing with all gates open.
When a train is approaching the crossing, the pedestrian warning signals will activate and flash red. Pedestrians are not permitted to enter the crossing when the red signal is visible.
The gates will start to close slowly. When the gates are fully closed, the pedestrian warning signal will stop flashing and remain constantly red. At this stage, any pedestrians still crossing the railway tracks will be able to exit via the emergency exit.
The train will arrive at the level crossing at least 10 to 15 seconds after the gates have closed.
Once the train has passed through the crossing and no other trains are approaching, the gates will open, the red warning signal will be switched off and the crossing will be safe for pedestrians to enter.
At the Park Terrace level crossing, the TransAdelaide (passenger) track and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (freight) track both have separate automated pedestrian gates. Only the gates on either side of the railway tracks with an approaching train will close.
For example, if there is a train approaching on the freight track only, the gates on either side of the passenger train tracks will remain open. This independent operation will allow pedestrians to legally cross the passenger train tracks to access the bus interchange or the central platform even if there is a train approaching on the freight railway track.
Artist’s impression of freight train passing through the level crossing with the freight track pedestrian gates closed only. The passenger track gates will remain open when no passenger train is approaching the level crossing.
Artist’s impression of passenger train passing through the level crossing with the passenger track gates closed.
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Helping you to understand how to safely use the gates
The Department has undertaken an educational program in conjunction with the installation of the system, to help users of the crossing understand how to access it safely.
Click here to view the simulated video for the operation of the pedestrian gates when a passenger train is passing through the level crossing.
(To view the media you may need Windows Media Player. If you do not have the plug-in, you can install Windows Media Player from http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/Media Player/download/default.asp to install the plug-in.)
While the State Government has made every possible effort to improve safety at the level crossing, individuals need to do the right thing to make it work; be familiar with the Australian Road Rules and apply them at all times.
If everyone using the crossing can do the right thing, the long-term effectiveness of these safety initiatives will be maximised for the wider community.
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Did You Know?
The Park Terrace level crossing is used every day by around:
- 2 100 pedestrians
- 23 000 vehicles
- 130 passenger trains and 10 freight trains
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Fri 21st Nov 08
