Level crossing collisions have spiked, but Kiwirail does not have the resources or the money to significantly increase crossing upgrades, the state-owned railway company says in its annual report.
In the report, Kiwirail notes as "disturbing" a steady trend to fewer collisions with vehicles at level crossings inexplicably becoming an increase in the past couple of years.
It was also concerned a third of the incidents nationally since the start of last year were at crossings protected by barriers, flashing lights, and bells.
"Whenever an incident occurs, local communities ask for these kinds of protection but the statistics suggest that they are not the only answer," Kiwirail's annual report says.
"It underlines the point that education and awareness are as important as engineering - particularly in view of the fact that we don't have the engineering resources [or] the funding to significantly increase the level of upgrades."
Figures released yesterday show the increase peaked last year at 31 collisions.
That was 11 more than 2008, eight more than 2007, and 15 more than 2006.
The last spike this decade was in 2005, when there were 36 collisions.
There have been 19 collisions so far this calendar year.
Separate figures released yesterday show there was one collision in the Otago-Southland region in the year to last month, at Cross St, Milton.
There was also only one in 2009, in Invercargill, as part of 35 collisions on 28 of the region's crossings this decade.
Nationally, 19% of crossings have half-arm barriers and flashing lights and bells.
Another 31% have flashing lights and bells, while the rest have stop or give way signs.
Kiwirail renewed or upgraded about eight crossings a year.
They were prioritised according to the amount of road and rail traffic, the number of collisions, and visibility along the track.
A Kiwirail spokesman confirmed five intersections in the Otago-Southland region would be upgraded over the next five years.
The Cross St intersection, Start St in Palmerston, Waianakarua Rd in Herbert and Fox St in Invercargill would get flashing lights and bells, while Spey St in Invercargill would get lights, bells, and a half-arm barrier.
