Out of sight and out of mind? Safety and procedural issues with disused and seasonal rail corridors

Abstract

Several disused and seasonal rail corridors exist in various Australasian jurisdictions that require maintenance and are accessed by road users via rail crossings. However, no research is available that examines the safety and procedural issues with these rail corridors and connected level crossings. Targeted interviews with key stakeholders (N = 15) with knowledge and experience with safety, policy, and procedures of disused lines within Australia were performed. The results suggested there was limited communication provided back to road users (e.g., via new signage) about changing rail activity; potentially increasing the risk at rail corridors. Many of the operational concerns with disused lines were framed in terms of negative financial and business-based outcomes with the local community, including resident backlash. A clear outcome was the need to pursue procedural opportunities relating to all aspects of managing a disused line. This included more specific definitions, standards, and procedures for transferring a line to a disused status, clear maintenance standards, and a well-defined process with line reopening, including communicating with local residents. Issues related to safety was a common theme throughout the interviews and it was proposed that procedural opportunities could contribute to reducing safety issues and promote consistency across the rail network.