The road-rail interface

Transport Accident Investigation Commission inquiries have highlighted safety improvements that could have been, or should be, made for road vehicles at level crossings. We have found ambiguities in who is responsible for the safety at the interface of the roading and rail networks, a particular concern in metropolitan areas with growing patronage, and growing frequency of trains. Other inquiries have shown that changes to rules and standards for road vehicles such as permissible lengths and clearances are incompatible with the conditions at some level crossings such as sight lines and road camber. The potential remains for serious accidents to continue to occur as a result of these problems identified through our inquiries.