Kiwirail and Waka Kotahi are working on a programme of level crossing upgrades in the Wairarapa at the present time. At the time of writing this post some difficulty was experienced in determining actually which Government policy announcement covers the level crossing upgrade programme but it appears to date from the announcement of the Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme in October 2018. Various sources have stated that there are 30 public level crossings in the Wairarapa so one of the functions of this article is to document all 30 of those crossings. So far TSBNZ’s requests to Kiwirail for safety and other information on these crossings have been ignored however. This information is important because consultation has started with Wairarapa residents and they are being told that various crossings (which seems to be a large number of crossings across Wairarapa so far) are being considered for closure. Due to the lack of information, the purpose of this post is to examine all those crossings and determine whether the design of any of them is dangerous. TSBNZ will try from other public sources of information to work out whether crossings are dangerous or not but this is not very accurate or helpful, so the fallback is looking at the design features, traffic volumes and any warning devices provided. Crossings are in order of their track distance.

The information is mainly compiled from Kiwirail’s ALCAM level crossing viewer website. Daily figures shown are averages.

Name	Western Lake Road Featherston (Speedys Crossing)
ALCAM ID	441
Track Distance	55 km
Road Name	Western Lake Road
Nearest Town	Featherston
Lat/Long:	-41.1255,175.3099
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	22
Daily Vehicles	530
Road Authority	South Wairarapa District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	This crossing may be dangerous because curves in the rail track could result in a reduction of sight lines for trains approaching from both directions. Multiple serious level crossing accidents have occurred at this crossing but the specific details such as the direction of traffic and trains aren’t completely known at this time.

Name	Brandon Street Featherston
ALCAM ID	442
Track Distance	56.24 km
Road Name	Brandon Street
Nearest Town	Featherston
Lat/Long:	-41.1187, 175.3213
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	351
Road Authority	South Wairarapa District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There are no apparent design issues around this crossing.

Name	SH53 Revans Street Featherston
ALCAM ID	444
Track Distance	56.46 km
Road Name	SH53
Nearest Town	Featherston
Lat/Long:	-41.1174, 175.3234
Traffic Controls	Barrier Arms
Daily Trains	13
Daily Vehicles	2275
Road Authority	NZTA
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Risk exists of overshoot of the crossing due to driver distraction from right turning maneuvers at the adjacent Daniell Street intersection. Close proximity to the SH2 crossing suggests one of the crossings should be considered for closure by shifting the junction of SH53.

Name	SH2 Fitzherbert Street Featherston
ALCAM ID	446
Track Distance	56.53 km
Road Name	SH2
Nearest Town	Featherston
Lat/Long:	-41.117, 175.3241
Traffic Controls	Barrier Arms
Daily Trains	13
Daily Vehicles	8306
Road Authority	NZTA
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Risk exists of overshoot of the crossing due to driver distraction from right turning maneuvers at the adjacent Daniell Street intersection. There is also the question of whether sufficient stacking clearance is achieved from the same intersection. Close proximity to the SH53 crossing suggests one of the crossings should be considered for closure by shifting the junction of SH53. This chould be done in conjunction with improved traffic safety at SH2/SH53 road junction, i.e. a roundabout or traffic lights.

Name	Fox Street Featherston
ALCAM ID	449
Track Distance	56.69 km
Road Name	Fox Street
Nearest Town	Featherston
Lat/Long:	-41.1161, 175.3255
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	571
Road Authority	South Wairarapa District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	The crossing is dangerous because it has two adjacent road T intersections. These intersections create insufficient stacking clearance for long road vehicles to be clear of both the railway and the intersection in both directions.

Name	Bell Street Featherston
ALCAM ID	452
Track Distance	56.92 km
Road Name	Bell Street
Nearest Town	Featherston
Lat/Long:	-41.1148, 175.3276
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	9
Daily Vehicles	594
Road Authority	South Wairarapa District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	The distance between the crossing and Johnston Street might be insufficient to achieve stacking clearance for long commercial vehicles. Risk exists of overshooting the crossing when performing right turning maneuvers towards the crossing from the Johnston Street intersection.

Name	Woodside Road Woodside
ALCAM ID	456
Track Distance	65.33
Road Name	Woodside Road
Nearest Town	Greytown
Lat/Long:	-41.0665, 175.4036
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	585
Road Authority	South Wairarapa District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There are no apparent design issues affecting safety at this crossing.

Name	Matarawa Road Matarawa
ALCAM ID	454
Track Distance	67.52 km
Road Name	Matarawa Road
Nearest Town	Greytown
Lat/Long:	-41.0556, 175.425
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	13
Daily Vehicles	70
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	This crossing is dangerous because of the severe skewed alignment of the road over the crossing. This makes it very difficult for people to see approaching trains from all directions when stopped at the crossing. Due to the low traffic volume the Council should alter the crossing to place that section of road at right angles to the track, or if appropriate, the crossing and road past the crossing should become private.

Name	Moffats Road Matarawa
ALCAM ID	457
Track Distance	69.44 km
Road Name	Moffatts Road
Nearest Town	Greytown
Lat/Long:	-41.0495, 175.4463
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	14
Daily Vehicles	120
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Due to the adjacent intersection of Railway Road there is insufficient stacking clearance for vehicles between the intersection and crossing.

Name	Watersons Line Matarawa
ALCAM ID	458
Track Distance	71.04 km
Road Name	Watersons Line
Nearest Town	Greytown
Lat/Long:	-41.044, 175.4564
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	14
Daily Vehicles	54
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Due to the adjacent intersection of Railway Road there is insufficient stacking clearance for vehicles between the intersection and crossing. Safety risk of overshoot exists for any right turning maneuver from the adjacent intersection that exits over the crossing. Due to the small traffic volume, the council should consider closing this crossing and improve the intersection at the other end of Railway Road.

Name	Hodders Road Matarawa
ALCAM ID	459
Track Distance	73.25 km
Road Name	Hodders Road
Nearest Town	Greytown
Lat/Long:	-41.0369, 175.49
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	14
Daily Vehicles	61
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	A significant sight line problem exists at this crossing due to the skew angle of the road. This creates a major safety risk for road user who could have difficulty seeing approaching trains from all directions when stopped at the crossing. Given the low traffic volume and lack of alternative access the only reasonable solution is for the council to upgrade the road crossing to place road and rail at right angles to improve the sight lines. Making the crossing and road beyond the crossing private is another option if appropriate.

Name	Dalefield Road Carterton
ALCAM ID	460
Track Distance	73.62 km
Road Name	Dalefield Road
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0358, 175.494
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	380
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Given the traffic controls provided there are no obvious design issues affecting safety at this crossing.

Name	Lincoln Road Carterton
ALCAM ID	1453
Track Distance	74.8 km
Road Name	Lincoln Road
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.032, 175.5072
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	1267
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Given the traffic controls provided there are no obvious design issues affecting safety at this crossing.

Name	Brooklyn Road Carterton
ALCAM ID	1454
Track Distance	75.29 km
Road Name	Brooklyn Road
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0299, 175.512
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	467
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Given the traffic controls provided there are no obvious design issues affecting safety at this crossing.

Name	Victoria Street Carterton
ALCAM ID	1455
Track Distance	76.18 km
Road Name	Victoria Street
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0243, 175.5198
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	570
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There are no obvious design issues affecting safety at this crossing.

Name	Pembroke Street Carterton
ALCAM ID	1457
Track Distance	76.44 km
Road Name	Pembroke Street
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0228, 175.5219
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	1693
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	A safety risk exists with the second track on the crossing as the train at the platform would block visibility of trains using the second track. This could be overcome by upgrading the warning devices at the crossing. A safety risk exists for pedestrians using the footpath into Carterton Station adjacent to the crossing as there is no visual warning device at the crossing facing where this path meets the road. This could be overcome by installing an extra light.

Name	Belvedere Road Carterton
ALCAM ID	1467
Track Distance	76.77 km
Road Name	Belvedere Road
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0207, 175.5248
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	1170
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	A safety risk exists with insufficient stacking clearance between the crossing and the adjacent Broadway intersection. There may be a safety risk of insufficient stacking clearance from the Wyndham Road intersection. The best safety solution is to close intersection(s) as road(s) have convenient alternative access nearby.

Name	Rhodes Street Carterton
ALCAM ID	1470
Track Distance	77.12 km
Road Name	Rhodes Street
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0185, 175.5278
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	400
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There are no obvious design safety issues affecting this crossing.

Name	Kent Street Carterton
ALCAM ID	1473
Track Distance	77.3 km
Road Name	Rhodes Street
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0173, 175.5294
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	1600
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Carterton District Council should assess the risk to crossing safety from heavy commercial vehicles entering/exiting the premises of ITM Timspec at 30 Kent St due to close proximity of the crossing and consequent possible stacking clearance issues and impose traffic restrictions if necessary.

Name	Andersons Line Carterton
ALCAM ID	1476
Track Distance	77.91 km
Road Name	Andersons Line
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.0135, 175.5346
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	14
Daily Vehicles	149
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There are no obvious design safety issues at this crossing.

Name	Chester Road Carterton
ALCAM ID	1480
Track Distance	79.44 km
Road Name	Chester Road
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-41.004, 175.5346
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	14
Daily Vehicles	149
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	The entrance to the Wairarapa A&P Showgrounds may be close enough to the crossing to create stacking clearance issues for heavy commercial vehicles. The risk of this should be assessed by Carterton District Council and if necessary traffic restrictions imposed. Two private roads form an effective four way intersection close to the northern approach onto the crossing. Carterton District Council should assess the risk of stacking clearance issues for heavy commercial vehicles entering or exiting these roads and if necessary impose traffic restrictions.

Name	Wiltons Road Waingawa
ALCAM ID	1481
Track Distance	83.5 km
Road Name	Wiltons Road
Nearest Town	Carterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9787, 175.5825
Traffic Controls	Stop Signs
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	150
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There are no obvious design safety issues at this crossing.

Name	Norman Avenue Waingawa
ALCAM ID	1482
Track Distance	84.79 km
Road Name	Norman Avenue
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9787, 175.5825
Traffic Controls	Barrier Arms
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	870
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	This crossing has existing insufficient stacking clearance for heavy commercial vehicles dating from its historical T intersection state. This was exacerbated with the effective extension of Waingawa Road into Pahiki Road during development of the industrial park on the south side, making the intersection four way. Transit NZ sought to have Norman Avenue closed at its junction with SH2 at that time, which would have alleviated some of the safety problems from the intersection. Another risk is from overshoot of the crossing by vehicles making a right turn from Waingawa Road. There was a level crossing collision here in 2017 involving a heavy commercial vehicle. This resulted in Kiwirail upgrading the traffic controls to barrier arms in 2019. Carterton District Council temporarily closed the SH2 / Norman Avenue intersection also in 2019; this increased the incidence of right turns required to access the Normans Road crossing thus increasing the risk of crossing overshoots. The proposed permanent change to the SH2 intersection would allow the road to continue to be used for heavy traffic and has not in any way considered the safety risks at the crossing. Carterton District Council should consider closing the Normans Avenue crossing and forming road access into the area from Norfolk Road.

Name	Norfolk Road Waingawa
ALCAM ID	1483
Track Distance	85.42 km
Road Name	Norfolk Road
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9672, 175.5994
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	14
Daily Vehicles	1446
Road Authority	Carterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	There is insufficient stacking clearance from the T intersection of Waingawa Road south of this crossing, and from the log loading yard exit north of the crossing. Also see comments about Norman Avenue Crossing.

Name	Ngaumutawa Road Solway
ALCAM ID	1484
Track Distance	86.9 km
Road Name	Ngaumutawa Road
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9589, 175.6131
Traffic Controls	Barrier Arms
Daily Trains	9
Daily Vehicles	3600
Road Authority	Masterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Insufficient stacking clearance is a hazard due to the close proximity of the intersection with Upper Manaia Road.

Name	Judds Road Solway
ALCAM ID	1485
Track Distance	87.85 km
Road Name	Judds Road
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9545, 175.6229
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	12
Daily Vehicles	892
Road Authority	Masterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Insufficient stacking clearance at the north side is a safety hazard. Commercial premises entrances on the south side should be assessed by Masterton District Council and traffic restrictions imposed if necessary.

Name	Hillcrest Street Solway
ALCAM ID	1486
Track Distance	88.36 km
Road Name	Hillcrest Street
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9522, 175.6281
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	12
Daily Vehicles	1175
Road Authority	Masterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Need confirmation that safe stacking clearance is achieved. Private road on the south side is too close to the crossing and creates safety risks especially with heavy commercial vehicles.

Name	Cornwall Street Masterton
ALCAM ID	1488
Track Distance	88.93 km
Road Name	Cornwall Street
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9497, 175.6339
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	846
Road Authority	Masterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Uncertain if commercial premises entrance on north side allows sufficient stacking clearance.

Name	Renall Street Masterton
ALCAM ID	1490
Track Distance	89.49 km
Road Name	Renall Street
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9471, 175.6397
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	4273
Road Authority	Masterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Need confirmation that safe stacking clearance is achieved from the intersection of College Street at the south side of the crossing. Unauthorised access into the rail corridor possibility on the north-west side and commercial premises entrance on the north-east side create possible additional risks; Masterton District Council should assess the risk of HCVs accessing the commercial premises and if necessary impose traffic restrictions.

Name	Akura Road Masterton
ALCAM ID	1493
Track Distance	91.16 km
Road Name	Akura Road
Nearest Town	Masterton
Lat/Long:	-40.9471, 175.6397
Traffic Controls	Flashing Lights
Daily Trains	10
Daily Vehicles	4423
Road Authority	Masterton District Council
Aerial View
Safety Assessment	Assurance is needed that the commercial premises entrance on the north-east side of the crossing is not too close to the crossing.