Executive summary
At 1824 hours on Thursday 4 September 1997 Shunt M28 from Morrinsville to Te Rapa collided with an "A Train" milk tanker and trailer on a private level crossing, resulting in serious injury to the tanker driver. The safety issues identified were lack of stacking distance and proper signage on the road approaching the level crossing, the potential for inadequate safety provisions in historic deeds of grant for private level crossings, the tanker operator's lack of awareness of the hazards associated with private level crossings negotiated by their drivers and the factors affecting the detection of locomotives approaching level crossings at night.
Related Recommendations
Arranges to install a cab warning light to indicate whenever the locomotive headlight is not on full beam for any reason.
Amends the Tranz Rail Rules and Regulations on the setting of locomotive headlights by LEs to require the headlights to be on full beam when trains are approaching level crossings at night.
Considers amending the Tranz Rail Rules and Regulations to encourage the proactive use of train whistles when approaching level crossings at night.
Accelerates the current five year programme to fit supplementary flashing ditch lights to locomotives with the aim of completing the programme by December 2000, and ensures procedures for their use enhance the conspicuity of locomotives approaching any passively controlled level crossing.
In conjunction with Tranz Rail implements a safety programme to ensure private level crossings held under deed of grant achieve signage consistent with the requirements for public level crossings.
Advises the Chief Executives of each New Zealand Dairy Company to review each private railway level crossing used by their company and where there is insufficient stacking distance for a truck and trailer unit to; draw attention to this on the driver's load sheet and arrange for collection to be made from such properties in daylight hours only and preferably from a left turn off the adjacent public roadway.