Level crossing explained

A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, path, or (in rare situations) airport runway, at the same level,[1] as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under using an overpass or tunnel. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion. Other names include railway level crossing, railway crossing (chiefly international), grade crossing or railroad crossing (chiefly American),[2] road through railroad, criss-cross, train crossing, and RXR (abbreviated).

There are more than 100,000 level crossings in Europe and more than 200,000 in North America.

Road-grade crossings are considered incompatible with high-speed rail[3] and are virtually non-existent in European high-speed train operations.[4]

History

The types of early level crossings varied by location, but often, they had a flagman in a nearby booth who would, on the approach of a train, wave a red flag or lantern to stop all traffic and clear the tracks. This was a dangerous job that cost the lives of gatekeepers and their spouses, their children, their pets and their livestock, due to the inability for a train to stop from a suitable distance.[5] Gated crossings became commonplace in many areas, as they protected the railway from people trespassing and livestock, and they protected the users of the crossing when closed by the signalman/gateman. In the second quarter of the 20th century, manual or electrical closable gates that barricaded the roadway started to be introduced, intended to be a complete barrier against intrusion of any road traffic onto the railway. Automatic crossings are now commonplace in some countries as motor vehicles replaced horse-drawn vehicles and the need for animal protection diminished with time. Full, half or no-barrier crossings superseded gated crossings, although crossings of older types can still be found in places. In rural regions with sparse traffic, the least expensive type of level crossing to operate is one without flagmen or gates, with only a warning sign posted. This type has been common across North America and in many developing countries.

Some international rules have helped to harmonise level crossing. For instance, the 1968 Vienna Convention states (chapter 3, article 23b) that:

This has been implemented in many countries, including countries which are not part of the Vienna Convention.

Safety

Trains have a much larger mass relative to their braking capability, and thus a far longer braking distance than road vehicles. With rare exceptions, trains do not stop at level crossings and rely on vehicles and pedestrians to clear the tracks in advance.Several accidents have occurred where a heavy load on a slow road transporter has not cleared the line in time, eg Dalfsen train crash and Hixon rail crash. At Hixon the police escort had received no training in their responsiblities.

Level crossings constitute a significant safety concern internationally. On average, each year around 400 people in the European Union[7] and over 300 in the United States[8] are killed in level crossing accidents. Collisions can occur with vehicles as well as pedestrians; pedestrian collisions are more likely to result in a fatality.[9] Among pedestrians, young people (5–19 years), older people (60 years and over), and males are considered to be higher risk users.[10] On some commuter lines most trains my slow to stop at a station but some express or freight trains pass through stations at high speed without stopping.

As far as warning systems for road users are concerned, level crossings either have "passive" protection, in the form of various types of warning signs, or "active" protection, using automatic warning devices such as flashing lights, warning sounds, and barriers or gates. In the 19th century and for much of the 20th, a sign warning "Stop, look, and listen" (or similar wording) was the sole protection at most level crossings. Today, active protection is widely available, and fewer collisions take place at level crossings with active warning systems.[11] Modern radar sensor systems can detect if level crossings are free of obstructions as trains approach. These improve safety by not lowering crossing barriers that may trap vehicles or pedestrians on the tracks, while signalling trains to brake until the obstruction clears. However, they cannot prevent a vehicle from moving out onto the track once it is far too late for the locomotive to slow even slightly.[12]

Due to the increase in road and rail traffic as well as for safety reasons, level crossings are increasingly being removed. Melbourne is closing 110 level crossings by 2030 and (due to the proximity of some stations) rebuilding 51 stations.

At railway stations, a pedestrian level crossing is sometimes provided to allow passengers to reach other platforms in the absence of an underpass or bridge, or for disabled access. Where third rail systems have level crossings, there is a gap in the third rail over the level crossing, but this does not necessarily interrupt the power supply to trains since they may have current collectors on multiple cars.

Source: US Department of Transportation.[13] (1 mile=1.6km)

Source: Eurostat: The rail accident data are provided to Eurostat by the European Railway Agency (ERA). The ERA manages and is responsible for the entire data collection. The Eurostat data constitute a part of the data collected by ERA and are part of the so-called Common Safety Indicators (CSIs).Note: Since 2010, use of national definitions is no longer permitted: 2010 CSI data represent the first fully harmonized set of figures

Traffic signal preemption

See also: Traffic signal preemption. Traffic signal-controlled intersections next to level crossings on at least one of the roads in the intersection usually feature traffic signal preemption.[15] In the US, approaching trains activate a routine where, before the road lights and barriers are activated, all traffic signal phases go to red, except for the signal immediately after the crossing, which turns green (or flashing yellow) to allow traffic on the tracks to clear (in some cases, there are auxiliary traffic signals prior to the railroad crossing which will turn red, keeping new traffic from crossing the tracks. This is in addition to the flashing lights on the crossing barriers). After enough time to clear the crossing, the signal will turn. The crossing lights may begin flashing and the barriers lower immediately, or this might be delayed until after the traffic light turns red.

The operation of a traffic signal, while a train is present, may differ from municipality to municipality. There are a number of possible arrangements:

  1. All directions will flash red, turning the intersection into an all-way stop.
  2. While the train is passing, the traffic parallel to the railroad track will have a flashing yellow, while the other directions face a flashing red light.
  3. While the train is passing, the traffic parallel to the railroad track will have a green light, while the other directions face a red light.
  4. Traffic lights can operate relatively normally, with only the blocked direction turning red while the train is passing.

Crossing cameras

In France, cameras have been installed on some level crossings to obtain images to improve understanding of an incident when a technical investigation occurs.[16]

In England, cameras have been installed at some level crossings.[17] [18]

In South Australia, cameras have been installed at some level crossings to deter non-compliance with signals.[19]

By country

See main article: Level crossings by country. Designs of level crossings vary between countries.

Major accidents

See main article: List of level crossing crashes. Level crossings present a significant risk of collisions between trains and road vehicles. This list is not a definitive list of the world's worst accidents and the events listed are limited to those where a separate article describes the event in question.

AccidentDeathsCountryYearRef.
Langenweddingen level crossing disaster94East Germany1967[20]
Amritsar train disaster58India2018
Nagpur level crossing disaster55India2005[21]
Manfalut train accident51Egypt2012[22]
San Justo level crossing tragedy48Argentina1984[23]
Marhanets train and bus collision45Ukraine2010[24]
San Isidro level crossing disaster44Argentina1948
Villa Soldati level crossing tragedy42Argentina1962
Polgahawela level crossing accident35Sri Lanka2005[25]
Dorion level crossing accident19Canada1966[26]
2009 Slovak coach and train collision12Slovakia2009[27]
Flores rail crash11Argentina2011[28] [29]
Bourbonnais train accident11United States1999[30]
Hixon rail crash11United Kingdom1968[31]
Kerang rail accident11Australia2007[32]
Glendale train crash11United States2005[33]
Lockington rail crash9United Kingdom1986[34]
Fox River Grove level crossing accident7United States1995[35]
Ufton Nervet rail crash7United Kingdom2004[36]
Ottawa bus–train crash6Canada2013[37]
Valhalla train crash6United States2015[38]
Gerogery level crossing accident5Australia2001[39]
2022 Missouri train derailment4United States2022
Nosaby level crossing disaster2Sweden2004

Runway crossings

Aircraft runways sometimes cross roads or rail lines, and require signaling to avoid collisions.

Australia

Gibraltar

Winston Churchill Avenue intersects the runway of Gibraltar International Airport at surface level; movable barricades close when aircraft land or take off.

As of March 2023, a tunnel under the runway opened to regular traffic, and the level crossing will only be available to pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters.[45]

Madagascar

The Fianarantsoa-Côte Est railway crosses the runway at Manakara Airport. It is one of the few airports in the world that crosses an active railway line.

New Zealand

A level crossing near Gisborne, sees the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line cross one of Gisborne Airport's runways. Aircraft landing on sealed 1310-metre runway 14L/32R are signalled with two red flashing lights on either side of the runway and a horizontal bar of flashing red lights to indicate the runway south of the railway line is closed, and may only land on the section of the runway north of the railway line. When the full length of the runway is open, a vertical bar of green lights signal to the aircraft, with regular rail signals on either side of the runway indicating trains to stop.[46] [47]

Nicaragua

The runway of Ometepe Airport crosses the highway NIC-64.

Philippines

As of February 2023, there exists one road-runway crossing at Catarman Airport in Northern Samar.[48]

Sweden

The Visby Lärbro Line between Visby and Lärbro crossed the runway of Visby Airport between 1956 and 1960.[49]

Switzerland

Two public roads cross the runway at Meiringen Air Base. Electrically operated gates close when aircraft land or take off.[50]

United Kingdom

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trains & level crossings. VicRoads. 2014-08-26. VicRoads. en-au. 2017-11-12.
  2. Web site: Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Overview . . 4 December 2019 . Federal Railroad Administration . Department of Transportation . 18 June 2020.
  3. JAMES J. ROZEK . JOHN A. HARRISON . Grade Crossing Safety and Economic Issues in Planning for High-Speed Rail Systems . Transportation Research Record . 1998 . 1177 . 47 . 2 April 2024 . Highway grade crossings are generally incompatible with HSR operation.
  4. EUROPE'S APPROACH TO RAIL CROSSING SAFETY . ITE Journal . 1998 . 68 . 2 . 18 . 2 April 2024 . . 0162-8178 . with the exception of a few grade crossings in Italy, all high-speed rail crossings are grade separated.
  5. Web site: Wojtczak . Helena . 2019-05-06 . Female gatekeepers killed by trains 1846-1906. . 2024-04-29 . Railway Work, Life & Death . en-US.
  6. Web site: RS 0.741.20 Convention du 8 novembre 1968 sur la signalisation routière (avec annexes). 29 December 2016. Swiss Federal Government Portal. Vienna. fr. RS 0.741.20: Convention of 8 November 1968 on the road signals (with appendices). 1968. 2019-01-22. Un feu rouge clignotant; ou deux feux rouges, clignotant alternativement, dont l'un apparaît quand l'autre s'éteint, montés sur le même support à la même hauteur et orientés dans la même direction signifient que les véhicules ne doivent pas franchir la ligne d'arrêt ou, s'il n'y a pas de ligne d'arrêt, l'aplomb du signal; ces feux ne peuvent être employés qu'aux passages à niveau [et dans certaines autres circonstances]...un feu jaune clignotant ou deux feux jaunes clignotant alternativement signifient que les conducteurs peuvent passer, mais avec une prudence particulière.. 11 December 1992.
  7. Cirovic . G. . Pamucar . D. . Decision support model for prioritizing railway level crossings for safety improvements: Application of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy system . Expert Systems with Applications . 40 . 2012 . 6. 2208–2223 . 10.1016/j.eswa.2012.10.041.
  8. Mok . Shannon C . Savage . Ian . Why Has Safety Improved at Rail-Highway Grade Crossings? . Risk Analysis . 1 August 2005 . 25 . 4 . 867–881 . 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2005.00642.x. 16268935 . 2005RiskA..25..867M . 5744697 .
  9. . Level crossing accident fatalities . 2004 .
  10. Lloyd's Register Rail . Study of pedestrian behaviour at public railway crossings . Public Transport Safety Victoria . 2007.
  11. Federal Railroad Administration . Railroad safety statistics: 2005 annual report . Federal Railroad Administration, Washington D.C . 2006.
  12. Web site: Honeywell Radar Scanner, Advantages & Benefits . 11 May 2012 . Honeywell Regelsysteme GmbH . 1 September 2013.
  13. Web site: U.S. Department of Transportation . December 2005 . Transit Safety & Security Statistics & Analysis 2003 Annual Report (Formerly SAMIS) .
  14. Web site: Collisions & Casualties by Year | Operation Lifesaver.
  15. https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/part4/part4d.htm#section4D13 Section 4D.13
  16. rapport d'enquête technique sur la collision entre un train Transilien et un véhicule léger survenue le 15 septembre 2019 sur le passage à niveau n° 8 à Roissy-en-Brie (77)
  17. Web site: Cameras installed at level crossing to catch motorists breaking the law. Global Railway Review. en. 2021-04-06.
  18. Web site: Level crossings - everything you need to know | RAC Drive. www.rac.co.uk. 2021-04-06.
  19. Web site: 2011–12 budget papers: Transport, Energy and Infrastructure: Targets 2011−12 . 112 . South Australian Government . 9 October 2022.
  20. https://mx-schroeder.medium.com/fatal-misinterpretation-the-1967-langenweddingen-level-crossing-inferno-49fc6a77664d Langenweddingen level crossing disaster
  21. News: India train crash deaths reach 55. BBC. 2005-02-04. 2015-06-22.
  22. News: UPDATE 5-Train ploughs into school bus in Egypt, 50 killed . . Blair . Edmund . . 17 November 2012 .
  23. Web site: Bus-train crash kills 43 people . . October 31, 1984 . May 18, 2016.
  24. News: Ukraine train and bus collision kills 42 . BBC . 12 October 2010 .
  25. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/apr/27/srilanka Polgahawela level crossing accident
  26. News: 7 October 2019 . . History Through Our Eyes: Oct. 7, 1966, Dorion bus tragedy level crossing accident .
  27. News: Slovak bus-rail crash 'kills 11' . 21 February 2009 . BBC . 21 February 2009.
  28. News: Al Menos Once Muertos y 228 Heridos en la Mayor Tragedia con Trenes en la Ciudad en Casi 50 Años . 23 February 2012 . Clarín . 13 September 2011 . Buenos Aires . es.
  29. News: Argentina Bus and Trains Crash Killing at Least 11 . 24 February 2012 . BBC . 14 September 2011.
  30. News: WMAQ TV Chicago . . Driver Sentenced in Deadly Amtrak Crash . 28 September 2004 . 19 January 2006 .
  31. Book: Ministry of Transport . 1968 . Report of the Public Inquiry into the Accident at Hixon Level Crossing on January 6, 1968 . HMSO . 978-0-10-137060-8 . 24 September 2013.
  32. News: Dan . Oake . Doherty . Ben . Webb . Carolyn . Guerrera . Orietta . 11 die in train crash . . . 5 June 2007 . 6 June 2007.
  33. News: Metrolink killer is sentenced to 11 life terms in prison . . Simmons . Ann M. . 21 August 2008 . 21 August 2008.
  34. Book: 1996 . British Railway Disasters . Shepperton . . 978-0-7110-2470-0 .
  35. News: Driver says light did not turn green - October 27, 1995 . CNN . 27 October 1995 . 19 November 2008.
  36. News: Seven train crash dead are named . BBC . 30 March 2010 . 8 November 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060613200207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3992537.stm . 13 June 2006 .
  37. News: 5 dead in Ottawa train-bus collision . 2012-09-18 . 2012-09-18 . CNN International.
  38. News: Metro-North Crash Kills 7 in Worst Accident of Railroad's History - February 3, 2015 . The New York Times. 3 February 2015 . 3 February 2015.
  39. News: Riding a slow train to nowhere . 14 May 2004 . The Sydney Morning Herald. Joseph . Kerr . . 11 August 2008.
  40. New Track Diversion Permits Airport Expansion Railway Transportation May 1960 page 30
  41. The Airport Diversion of the Botany line Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 274 August 1960 page 121
  42. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/274321777 Plane, Train Collide on Runway
  43. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2785023 Collision at Airport, all Factors Probed
  44. Web site: Wynyard Airport Railway Crossing . Airways Museum .
  45. Web site: Airport Tunnel will open at one minute past midnight on Friday morning .
  46. Web site: Gisborne (NZGS) aerodrome diagram . Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand . 24 September 2009 . 4 January 2010.
  47. Web site: Gisborne (NZGS) Operational Signal Lights . Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand . 4 September 2003 . 4 January 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100522031024/http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/NZGS_46.1.pdf . 22 May 2010.
  48. News: Meniano . Sarwell . February 15, 2023 . CAAP mulls relocation of Northern Samar Airport . January 23, 2024 . Philippine News Agency.
  49. Web site: Driftplatser som ingår i bandel 660. 19 April 2017.
  50. Web site: The Military Airfield with Two Public Roads Crossing the Runway . Walker . John . 25 April 2023 . scanalyst.fourmilab.ch. 24 January 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Level crossing".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.