ARTC, in partnership with the Department of Transport and Planning, is working on improving the safety of numerous level crossings across the state of Victoria. Lycopodium was engaged to provide concept designs for upgrades to active level crossings and signage upgrades at 10 locations on the ARTC interstate line between Melbourne and the South Australian border.
These level crossings were mainly located in high-risk locations, with high posted vehicle speeds and situated short distances from major roads and highways. Road vehicle drivers frequently failed to slow down or obey road rules at the nominated level crossings and fatalities have occurred at some of these locations.
Lycopodium’s concept designs will assist the forward planning of the activation of the level crossings. The concept designs provide insight into the scope of earthworks, road works and power supply upgrades required to facilitate the installation of flashing lights and boom gates at the level crossings. The concept designs are intended to inform the detailed design and construction when funding becomes available to progress these level crossings further. As part of Lycopodium’s works, level crossings with Give Way controls were upgraded to Stop sign controls to promote safer driver behaviour around level crossings.
