The whole kit and caboodle: Applying a systems analysis and design framework across the rail level crossing design lifecycle

The continued incidence of trauma at rail level crossings is unacceptable, and provides a clear indication that the current approach to rail level crossing safety is failing. It has been suggested that this may be, in part, attributed to the fact that a systems thinking approach has not been adopted when attempting to improve rail level crossing designs. As a response, this paper presents an overview of a rail level crossing design lifecycle process that involved applying Cognitive Work Analysis to analyze existing rail level crossing systems, and then to generate, evaluate, and refine new rail level crossing design concepts underpinned by systems thinking. An overview of the process adopted is provided and selected outputs from the following phases are discussed: systems analysis; generation of design concepts, evaluation of design concepts, and refinement of design concepts. In closing, the implications for future rail level crossing design activities are discussed.