Driver, trees factors in truck train crash: report

BOTH inattentive driving and roadside vegetation were found to be factors in a collision between a passenger train and a truck at a level crossing near Bendigo in a report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). 

On 19 December 2014 a truck collided with a Swan Hill-to-Melbourne passenger train at a level crossing on Rileys Road, Woodvale. 

The ATSB investigative report, released last Friday, identified driver caution as a factor and called for more to be done to improve safety at the Rileys Road crossing. 

“The truck driver did not approach the level crossing with sufficient caution to be able to stop once he became aware of the approaching train,” the report reads. 

However, it also found a road-user’s view of an approaching train was partially obscured due to lineside vegetation.

“A line of self-sown trees of varying heights were growing within the railway reserve,” the report reads. 

“When viewed at an angle from the road this growth partially concealed the presence of an approaching train.

 “V/Line’s process for the inspection of level crossing sighting did not provide explicit instructions for the identification and removal of problem vegetation.”

Following the incident, both occupants of the truck and one train passenger were conveyed to hospital with minor injuries. The truck sustained significant damage to its front, right-hand corner and there was significant side panel and underfloor damage to several passenger cars. 

As a result of the incident, V/Line has advised that it has revised and strengthened vegetation control activities to maintain level crossing sight-lines and initiated a discussion with the City of Greater Bendigo around a reduction of road speeds to 60 km/h on the approach to railway level crossings, according to the report. 

“This has resulted in the commencement of a trial program on gravel and sealed roads,” it reads. 

“[V/Line has] requested the Victorian Level Crossing Committee to upgrade the Rileys Road level crossing to active protection. 

“This is scheduled for 2016-17, but may be delayed to 2017-18.”