Journal article
PUBLISHED
A systems analysis of fatal railway level crossing crashes
Safety Science, Vol.206, pp.1-10
2027
Abstract
Fatal railway level crossing crashes represent a public safety challenge. Existing data on these crashes is limited, mostly focusing on frequencies rather than providing an in-depth understanding of the underlying causes. This study aimed to demonstrate the utility of using coronial findings, supplemented with reports from investigation agencies, to understand the system-wide factors contributing to railway crossing crashes and to explore the proposed recommendations. A systems thinking accident analysis approach, the AcciMap technique, underpinned the analysis. Over a 20-year period, 151 cases were identified, involving a range of road user types. Of these cases, 135 included sufficient detail to extract contributory factors and recommendations. A total of 483 contributory factors were extracted and used to develop an aggregate AcciMap. Most factors were associated with road user behaviour and/or individual characteristics, as opposed to systemic issues. Unique contributory factors were identified for crashes occurring at active crossings (those with dynamic warnings present) versus passive crossings (those with signage only). A total of 184 recommendations were extracted and mapped using the AcciMap framework. Recommendations tended to take a system-wide view of preventing future occurrences, acknowledging the complexity of managing risk at the interface of two transport modes. The analysis provided important information to support crash prevention efforts, including a set of common systemic recommendations identified from the data that require collaborative efforts across road and rail stakeholders. Mechanisms for supporting this collaboration should be further explored. The study also provided learnings regarding the nature of coronial investigations and areas for potential improvement.
Details
- Title
- A systems analysis of fatal railway level crossing crashes
- Authors
- Gemma J.M. Read (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastNicole L. Liddell - University of the Sunshine CoastPaul M. Salmon - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Safety Science, Vol.206, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2027
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ssci.2026.107519
- ISSN
- 1879-1042
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- nc/4.0/ ).
- Data Availability
- The data that has been used is confidential.
- Grant note
- The research project was funded by the Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Steering Committee (VRCSSC) via Metro Trains Melbourne.
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991274633802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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