Examines the issues involved in level crossing removals so that when proposals for specific locations are considered, professional, government and industry stakeholders as well as the community can participate in a more informed way.

Executive Summary

The Victorian state government has committed to removing 50 level crossings in two terms of office: a faster rate of removal than in any other period in the history of railways in Melbourne. These level crossing removals have the potential to be more transformative of Melbourne public transport system than the tunnels for the Melbourne Metro project, and indeed, are a crucial pre-requisite for that project to deliver its benefits. Melbourne’s historical experience of separating railways from roads shows that some types of level crossing removal have been more successful than others.

To assess the likely impacts of any design for a level crossing removal, we employ a set of criteria that include connectivity, amenity, safety, economic development, future proofing potential, disruptiveness, and total value proposition. Significantly, our analysis focuses on assessments of the role that grade separations can play in improving intermodal transfer at railway stations. A major consideration in the performance of transfer nodes is their capacity to integrate, connect and serve the local community. Enhancing network effects is key to improving public transport access for all Melburnians and grade separations have a key role to play in this.

The study analyses the four main types of road-rail grade separations (elevated rail, trenched rail, road overpasses and underpasses) and assesses their effects using specific case studies (Glenferrie, Canterbury, Balaclava, Malvern, Mitcham, Springvale, Oakleigh, Huntingdale, Essendon, Middle Footscray and Anderson Rd., Sunshine). We found that road overpasses and underpasses have had serious detrimental effects on activity centres, however large or small, and should therefore only be considered in locations that are outside urban areas. Elevated and trenched rail grade separations were found to have been used where the focus was on improving railway performance, and provide the best opportunities for achieving efficient intermodal transfer. However, in terms of the overall range of criteria that need to be met, elevated rail provides the greatest potential for the full range of long-term benefits to be realised from the significant capital investments in grade separations.

The benefits of level crossing removal include:

• greater potential for multi-scale economic and social development related to increased activity around stations;
• the restoration rail’s prominent position in the urban fabric
• increased ground level connectivity;
• creation of linear parks and connected quiet streets for safer walking and cycling;
• opportunities for the fundamental re-organisation of Melbourne’s bus system and its connection to the rail network. In fact, without such re-organisation, it is unlikely that the patronage growth expected from Melbourne Metro will ever occur.
• improved passenger experience, views and wayfinding;

Realising these opportunities depends on the design quality of level crossing removals. The simple choice is between raising or sinking rail lines, and in many places, well-designed elevated rail will better deliver the benefits outlined above.