Part 9: Level crossings

Last updated: December 2008. This document ceases to be a controlled document when printed. Please refer to the current version at www.landtransport.govt.nz

2  Responsibilities

2.7  Out-of-service railway lines

Where a railway line ceases to be used and the period of disuse is likely to be of sufficient duration, the road controlling authority should clarify the status of the level crossings with the rail access provider to ensure appropriate and safe use by road users.

When a railway line is unused, regular users may be in the habit of ignoring any warning signs. They are often unprepared for other drivers who slow down or, in the case of passenger service vehicles, actually stop at any level crossing on the unused railway line. For regular users, the warning signs cease to have relevance and their impact when used at other level crossings is reduced, as drivers’ behaviour at the unused level crossing may be transferred to these other sites.

In many cases, traffic will be local only and very low volume and risks at these sites extremely low. However, there are implications arising from transferred behaviour patterns or a reduced perception in the value of the standard warning signs. In other more heavily trafficked locations, the behaviour of non-local traffic may lead to increased risks, particularly for local traffic.

Taking no action is inconsistent with principles of sound traffic management, and formal identification that the railway line is not in use is recommended.

As long as signs and railway lines are in place, there are legal obligations on road controlling authorities and road users, particularly the drivers of some types of vehicles. Signs could perhaps be removed but some residual confusion on the part of road users might still persist as long as the railway lines remain. The possibility of the railway line being reopened or some other reason may lead to a reluctance to remove or cover sections of the disused track across roads.

Identification could be achieved by the removal of any signals, warning signs or markings and would largely overcome the issues described above. However, as long as the tracks remain across the roadway, there would remain some potential for confusion. Installing a ‘Railway Not In Use’ (AX12) sign at the level crossing should help overcome this and reinforce the status of the level crossing. The policy for the use of this sign is detailed at 4.3.14.

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