New rail crossing technology

Melbourne?s La Trobe University?s Centre for Technology Infusion has developed a technology that promises to reduce or eliminate accidents at railway level crossings. The system is based on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems technology. It establishes a wireless connection between trains and vehicles approaching a railway crossing using a combination of GPS and dedicated short range communications (DSRC) wireless technology. When the system detects the possibility of a collision it sends out alerts to drivers near a level-crossing using in-car audio-visual alerts that escalate in volume and intensity as the train gets closer to the crossing. The technology has undergone a limited trial in Melbourne, involving eight trains over six weeks. The provincial government of Queensland is now conducting a trial that will involve a larger number of trains, as well as heavy and commercial vehicles, over a six-month period.