Trialling of pedestrian gate system at Queens Park station

24/7/93

Trials will begin tomorrow on a new automatic pedestrian gate system at Queens Park station as part of an ongoing program to improve safety on Perth's Fastrak suburban rail network.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said the gates would begin operating from tomorrow morning on the crossing at the north end of the station, which is used by large numbers of school children.

The gates, an upgraded version of a system used in Victoria, close automatically when a train is approaching to prevent pedestrians crossing the rail tracks.

About six seconds before the gates close, which takes five to seven seconds, a warning sounds and a warning sign flashes.  Both warnings continue until the gates re-open after the train has passed.

When the gates are closed, preventing pedestrians from going on the tracks, a secondary 'emergency' exit is exposed to allow people caught inside by the closing gates to clear.

If the control systems or power fails, the gates automatically close and the warning devices are activated using batteries.

The gate system, built in Perth and installed at a cost of $85,000, replaces a pedestrian 'maze' designed to turn people in both directions before crossing the tracks.

"These gates provide a higher level of safety, especially for children," Mr Charlton said.

"If this system proves successful, then Westrail and Transperth will develop a program to install them throughout the Fastrak system.

"They are not necessary on the northern suburbs line, because that has grade separated crossings along its entire length."

Mr Charlton said the gates could also eliminate the need for train drivers to sound the horn when approaching pedestrian crossings, which would reduce noise from the rail system.

Media contact: Paul Plowman 222 9595 : 321 7333