Level crossing

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Most crossings in Europe and around the world are marked by some form of saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross, or crossbuck) to warn road users about a level crossing and/or about a level crossing with no barriers whatsoever. This cross is on a level crossing in Slovenia. Andrejev kriz.jpg
Most crossings in Europe and around the world are marked by some form of saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross, or crossbuck) to warn road users about a level crossing and/or about a level crossing with no barriers whatsoever. This cross is on a level crossing in Slovenia.

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, [1] railway crossing (chiefly international), grade crossing or railroad crossing (chiefly American), [2] road through railroad, criss-cross, train crossing, and RXR (abbreviated).

Contents

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

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. 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[ citation needed ], 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 Full, half or no barrier crossings superseded gated crossings, although crossings of older types can still be found in places.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 harmonize 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.

Level crossings constitute a significant safety concern internationally. On average, each year around 400 people in the European Union [4] and over 300 in the United States [5] 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. [6] Among pedestrians, young people (5–19 years), older people (60 years and over), and males are considered to be higher risk users. [7]

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. [4] 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. [8] 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). [9]

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. [10] (1 mile=1.6 km)

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

Traffic signal-controlled intersections next to level crossings on at least one of the roads in the intersection usually feature traffic signal preemption. [12] 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. [13]

In England, cameras have been installed at some level crossings. [14] [15]

In South Australia, cameras have been installed at some level crossings to deter non-compliance with signals. [16]

By country

Designs of level crossings vary country-to-country.

Major accidents

Amtrak train wreck in Bourbonnais, Illinois (US), in 1999 was attributed to a malfunction of the warning signals, with fatigue of the driver of a semi truck as a contributing factor. NTSB aerial view of Bourbonnais grade crossing accident.jpg
Amtrak train wreck in Bourbonnais, Illinois (US), in 1999 was attributed to a malfunction of the warning signals, with fatigue of the driver of a semi truck as a contributing factor.

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 disaster 94East Germany1967 [17]
Amritsar train disaster 58India2018
Nagpur level crossing disaster 55India2005 [18]
Manfalut train accident 51Egypt2012 [19]
San Justo level crossing tragedy48Argentina1984 [20]
Marhanets train and bus collision 45Ukraine2010 [21]
San Isidro level crossing disaster44Argentina1948 [20]
Villa Soldati level crossing tragedy 42Argentina1962
Polgahawela level crossing accident 35 Sri Lanka 2005 [22]
Dorion level crossing accident 19Canada1966 [23]
2009 Slovak coach and train collision 12Slovakia2009 [24]
Flores rail crash 11Argentina2011 [25] [26]
Bourbonnais train accident 11United States1999 [27]
Hixon rail crash 11United Kingdom1968 [28]
Kerang rail accident 11Australia2007 [29]
Glendale train crash 11United States2005 [30]
Lockington rail crash 9United Kingdom1986 [31]
Fox River Grove level crossing accident 7United States1995 [32]
Ufton Nervet rail crash 7United Kingdom2004 [33]
Ottawa bus–train crash 6Canada2013 [34]
Valhalla train crash 6United States2015 [35]
Gerogery level crossing accident 5Australia2001 [36]
2022 Missouri train derailment 4United States2022
Nosaby level crossing disaster 2Sweden2004

Runway crossings

Crossing of the A970 road over Sumburgh Airport's runway in Shetland. The movable barrier closes when aircraft land or take off.
The French sign warning of plane movements on or near the ground was changed in 1977 to comply with the Vienna convention. France road sign A23.svg
The French sign warning of plane movements on or near the ground was changed in 1977 to comply with the Vienna convention.

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

Australia

Gibraltar

Intersection in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar Gibraltar Airport Checkpoint.jpg
Intersection in the British Overseas Territory of 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. [39]

Madagascar

A train crosses the runway in Manakara, Madagascar. Rail-run-way-crossing.jpg
A train crosses the runway in Manakara, 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 866 metres (2,841 ft) 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. [40] [41]

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. [42]

Sweden

The Visby Lärbro Line between Visby and Lärbro crossed the runway of Visby Airport between 1956 and 1960. [43]

Switzerland

Two public roads cross the runway at Meiringen Air Base. Electrically operated gates close when aircraft land or take off. [44]

United Kingdom

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedestrian crossing</span> Place designated for pedestrians to cross a road, street or avenue

A pedestrian crossing is a place designated for pedestrians to cross a road, street or avenue. The term "pedestrian crossing" is also used in the Vienna and Geneva Conventions, both of which pertain to road signs and road traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic light</span> Signaling device to control competing flows of traffic

Traffic lights, traffic signals, or stoplights – also known as robots in South Africa and Namibia – are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings, and other locations in order to control the flow of traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warning sign</span> Sign that warns people for a risk or danger

A warning sign is a type of sign which indicates a potential hazard, obstacle, or condition requiring special attention. Some are traffic signs that indicate hazards on roads that may not be readily apparent to a driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 Bourbonnais, Illinois, train crash</span>

On March 15, 1999, Amtrak's southbound City of New Orleans passenger train collided with a semi-trailer truck in the village of Bourbonnais, Illinois, United States. Most of the train derailed, killing eleven people. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the accident attributed the cause to the truck driver trying to beat the train across a grade crossing. The NTSB's recommendations from the accident included increased enforcement of grade crossing signals, the installation of train event recorders at all new or improved grade crossings, and procedures to provide emergency responders with accurate lists of all crew members and passengers aboard trains. The city of Bourbonnais erected a memorial near the site to commemorate those killed in the accident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crossbuck</span> Sign with level crossings, often in a cross

A crossbuck is a traffic sign used to indicate a level railway crossing. It is composed of two slats of wood or metal of equal length, fastened together on a pole in a saltire formation. Crossbucks are sometimes supplemented by electrical warnings of flashing lights, a bell, or a boom barrier that descends to block the road and prevent traffic from crossing the tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hixon rail crash</span> Fatal collision at a level crossing in 1968

On 6 January 1968, a low-loader transporter carrying a 120-ton electrical transformer was struck by a British Rail express train on a recently installed automatic level crossing at Hixon, Staffordshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Fox River Grove bus–train collision</span> Grade crossing collision in Fox River Grove, Illinois

The 1995 Fox River Grove bus–train collision was a grade crossing collision that killed seven students riding aboard a school bus in Fox River Grove, Illinois, on the morning of October 25, 1995. The school bus, driven by a substitute driver, was stopped at a traffic light with the rearmost portion extending onto a portion of the railroad tracks when it was struck by a Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line train en route to Chicago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilchrest Road, New York, crossing accident</span> 1972 crossing accident in Clarkstown, New York

The Gilchrest Road crossing accident was a grade crossing incident that occurred on March 24, 1972, in the town of Clarkstown, New York, between the hamlets of Valley Cottage and Congers, roughly 25 miles (40 km) northwest of New York City. Five students from Valley Cottage were killed, and 44 others were injured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lockington rail accident</span> 1986 derailment in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England

In Lockington, England on 26 July 1986, the 09:33 passenger train from Bridlington to Kingston upon Hull on the Hull to Scarborough Line struck a passenger van on a level crossing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerang train accident</span> 2007 collision in Victoria, Australia

The Kerang train accident occurred on 5 June 2007 at about 13:40 AEST in the Australian state of Victoria, approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north of the town of Kerang in the state's northwest, and 257 kilometres (160 mi) north-northwest of the city of Melbourne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HaBonim disaster</span>

The HaBonim disaster was an accident which took place on June 11, 1985, when an Israel Railways train collided with a bus carrying schoolchildren on a field trip from Y.H. Brenner middle school in Petah Tikva, Israel. The crash happened near Moshav HaBonim, killing 22 people, and injuring 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Adler Jr.</span> American engineer (1899-1980)

Charles Adler Jr. was an American inventor and engineer. He is most known for developing devices meant to improve transportation safety, including sonically actuated traffic lights, colorblind road signals, pedestrian push-buttons, and flashing aircraft lights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level crossing signals</span> Devices used to warn pedestrians and drivers of incoming trains at level crossings

Level crossing signals are the electronic warning devices for road vehicles at railroad level crossings.

The Midland train crash was a rail crossing accident that occurred on November 15, 2012 in Midland, Texas. A freight train struck a flatbed trailer being used as a parade float carrying 26 passengers, killing four and injuring 16. The parade was en route to a veterans' benefit sponsored by the local charity Show of Support/Hunt for Heroes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Ottawa bus–train crash</span> Fatal crash in Ottawa, Canada

The Ottawa bus–train crash was a collision that occurred between an OC Transpo double-decker bus and a Via Rail train in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven on September 18, 2013, that killed six people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valhalla train crash</span> 2015 disaster in New York

On the evening of February 3, 2015, a commuter train on Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line struck a passenger car at a grade crossing near Valhalla, New York, United States, between the Valhalla and Mount Pleasant stations, killing six people and injuring 15 others, seven very seriously. The crash is the deadliest in Metro-North's history, and at the time the deadliest rail accident in the United States since the June 2009 Washington Metro train collision, which killed nine passengers and injured 80.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level crossings in the United Kingdom</span> Overview of level crossings in the United Kingdom

There are around 6,000 level crossings in the United Kingdom, of which about 1,500 are public highway crossings. This number is gradually being reduced as the risk of accidents at level crossings is considered high. The director of the UK Railway Inspectorate commented in 2004 that "the use of level crossings contributes the greatest potential for catastrophic risk on the railways." The creation of new level crossings on the national network is banned, with bridges and tunnels being the more favoured options. The cost of making significant reductions, other than by simply closing the crossings, is substantial; some commentators argue that the money could be better spent. Some 5,000 crossings are user-worked crossings or footpaths with very low usage. The removal of crossings can improve train performance and lower accident rates, as some crossings have low rail speed limits enforced on them to protect road users. In fact, between 1845 and 1933, there was a 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) speed limit on level crossings of turnpike roads adjacent to stations for lines whose authorising act of Parliament had been consolidated in the Railways Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 although this limit was at least sometimes disregarded.

Designs of level crossings, where railway lines cross roads or other paths, vary country-to-country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level crossings in New Zealand</span>

There are over 3,000 level crossings in New Zealand, with about 1330 being publicly maintained by KiwiRail as of 2013. Of these, 275 crossings were protected by flashing red lights, bells, and half-arm barriers; and 421 are protected by flashing red lights and bells only. The remainder are controlled by "Stop and Give Way" signs. Level crossings are the responsibility of rail infrastructure owner KiwiRail Network, the NZ Transport Agency, and if the crossing is on a local road, the local city or district council. Much like Australia, New Zealand employs American-made crossing warning equipment. There were also in 2013 some 110 stand-alone public pedestrian level crossings; and some private level crossings, which are the responsibility of the land owner.

References

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Bibliography

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