Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model

The Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM) was developed in Queensland in 1996 and was adopted throughout Australia in 2003.  A project was undertaken to assess ALCAM and consider its use in New Zealand.  The objectives of the project were to:

  • Estimate costs of collecting data and applying identified remedial action
  • Identify, analyse and propose possible funding mechanisms
  • Consider effects of rail safety targets and other factors on intervention levels
  • Recommend whether ALCAM should be adopted and if so, how it might be administered.
  • In April 2005, the working group reported back on differences between New Zealand and Australian requirements, and identified some changes to ALCAM for New Zealand conditions.  Funding was made available for a nationwide survey of level crossings, which started in Auckland, and continued in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.  Both KiwiRail and NZTA have officers trained in the ALCAM methodology.

The surveys were managed by KiwiRail, with a team of one each from KiwiRail and NZTA, accompanied by one or more people from the relevant RCA.  Minor issues that could easily be addressed were provided to the relevant local road managers.  Further distribution of such individual risk reports is unlikely.  This now historic data is being used to re-calibrate the Windows-based new model currently under development.

Changes to the safe stopping sight distance criteria (AS 1724) currently being proposed for consultation will, if approved, be included in the ALCAM model, too.

The ALCAM Committee is currently assessing how best to manage access to the model.