The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is calling on KiwiRail to work with road controlling authorities following a near-miss between a bus and a locomotive in Christchurch

TAIC has released its report into the incident at the Selwyn Street level crossing in August 2022, where a passenger bus came within 12 metres of a locomotive. 

The Selwyn Street level crossing had been disconnected on Saturday 6 August 2022 when a fault could not be repaired that day. 

The Chief Investigator of Accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam said KiwiRail’s procedures did not adequately address the risk posed by leaving the level crossing unattended.

“The council, as the road controlling authority, wasn’t informed of the fault at the level crossing and wasn’t consulted on potential risk controls, because there was no requirement in KiwiRail’s procedures to do so for an unplanned disconnection.

“As a result, no form of temporary traffic management was put in place until after the near miss between the bus and train was reported on Monday 8 August 2022.”

A Go Bus-operated Christchurch Metro passenger bus drove across the Selwyn Street level crossing as a KiwiRail locomotive approached.

The bus passed approximately 12 metres in front of the locomotive. There was no collision, no damage and no injuries.

The report records that when the Selwyn Street level crossing alarm system was disconnected from its power source the barrier arms were raised and secured and bags were placed over the alarm lights to show they were out of service. 

Train control imposed a 10 kilometre per hour speed restriction on any rail traffic approaching Selwyn Street and the other affected level crossings. 

“This wasn’t adequate in the circumstances. Although the speed restriction reduced the momentum of the locomotive, there was still a higher potential for a collision with a road user entering the level crossing without taking adequate observations.”

TAIC has recommended that KiwiRail adequately address the risk posed by disconnecting level-crossing protections, whether planned or unplanned; and work with road controlling authorities to develop processes for notification, risk assessment and traffic management measures for unplanned level-crossing disconnections.

KiwiRail General Manager of “Zero Harm” Alastair Cumming said “although there was no collision, no damage and no injuries, KiwiRail has taken this incident seriously, and acknowledges the findings in the TAIC report. We are always looking for ways to improve safety.

“Our staff took positive steps to protect the safety of road-users while the level crossing alarm system was not working, including limiting trains travelling through the crossing to 10km an hour as well as requiring them to stop as get permission from Train Control before using the crossing.

“They also put  “signals not working” signs in place and placed high-visibility orange bags over the warning lights.

We will look to work with the road controlling authorities – local councils and Waka Kotahi – to review and revise the process around incidents of this type.”