201410 – Drayton – Electrification Public Safety Management and Education

The move to an electrified rail network presents significant safety risks to the Auckland public. Faster and quieter trains have safety implications particularly for pedestrians, and the overhead wires are a risk for anyone who comes into contact with them. There have been a number of incidents where people have suffered harm in other electrified parts of New Zealand and already there have been reports of near contact with the new Auckland wires. To minimise these risks, signage and other safety infrastructure have been erected widely throughout the Auckland network and public safety awareness campaigns continue to be delivered by organisations such as Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Transdev Auckland. To reach children, the NZ Transport Agency and TrackSAFE NZ continue to undertake to introduce concepts of electrification into Auckland primary schools through the curriculum. However an increased effort and more funding will be required to successfully reach those groups who are considered to be most “at risk”.