Level crossing
A level crossing is an intersection where a
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]
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A level crossing at Hoylake, Merseyside, England, with a train passing
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An active level crossing in Japan, 2022, train approaching from left
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A railroad crossing in Abington, Massachusetts, US
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ACRH380A train passing Shoupakou level crossing at Beijing, China
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 Full, half or no-barrier crossings superseded gated crossings, although crossings of older types can still be found in places.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 harmonise level crossing. For instance, the 1968 Vienna Convention states (chapter 3, article 23b) that:
- "one or two blinking red light indicates a car should stop; if they are yellow the car can pass with caution".[5]
- Article 27 suggests stop lines at level crossings.
- Article 33, 34, 35 and 36 are specific to level crossings, because level crossings are recognized as dangerous.
- Article 35 indicates a cross should exist when there is no barrier or lights.
This has been implemented in many countries, including countries which are not part of the Vienna Convention.
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Level crossing in Senegal (2020)
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A level crossing at Hanoi, Vietnam, with crossing lights, electric bells, and half-barrier gates in their open position
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[6] and over 300 in the United States[7] 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.[8] Among pedestrians, young people (5–19 years), older people (60 years and over), and males are considered to be higher risk users.[9]
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 "
At
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Level crossing in Germany with an egg-shaped radar sensor for detecting obstacles on the crossing
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A "stop, look, and listen" sign in Britain
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A "stop, look, and listen" sign in Argentina
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Source: US Department of Transportation.[12] (1 mile=1.6 km)
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Source:
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
- Source: Eurostat: Annual number of victims by type of accident [rail_ac_catvict] Last update: 09-02-2017
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
- Source, Federal Railroad Administration[13]
Traffic signal preemption
The operation of a traffic signal, while a train is present, may differ from municipality to municipality. There are a number of possible arrangements:
- All directions will flash red, turning the intersection into an all-way stop.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.[15]
In England, cameras have been installed at some level crossings.[16][17]
In South Australia, cameras have been installed at some level crossings to deter non-compliance with signals.[18]
By country
Designs of level crossings vary between countries.
Major accidents
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.
Accident | Deaths | Country | Year | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Langenweddingen level crossing disaster | 94 | East Germany | 1967 | [19] |
Amritsar train disaster | 58 | India | 2018 | |
Nagpur level crossing disaster | 55 | India | 2005 | [20] |
Manfalut train accident
|
51 | Egypt | 2012 | [21] |
San Justo level crossing tragedy | 48 | Argentina | 1984 | [22] |
Marhanets train and bus collision
|
45 | Ukraine | 2010 | [23] |
San Isidro level crossing disaster | 44 | Argentina | 1948 | [22] |
Villa Soldati level crossing tragedy | 42 | Argentina | 1962 | |
Polgahawela level crossing accident | 35 | Sri Lanka | 2005 | [24] |
Dorion level crossing accident | 19 | Canada | 1966 | [25] |
2009 Slovak coach and train collision
|
12 | Slovakia | 2009 | [26] |
Flores rail crash | 11 | Argentina | 2011 | [27][28] |
Bourbonnais train accident
|
11 | United States | 1999 | [29] |
Hixon rail crash | 11 | United Kingdom | 1968 | [30] |
Kerang rail accident
|
11 | Australia | 2007 | [31] |
Glendale train crash
|
11 | United States | 2005 | [32] |
Lockington rail crash
|
9 | United Kingdom | 1986 | [33] |
Fox River Grove level crossing accident | 7 | United States | 1995 | [34] |
Ufton Nervet rail crash | 7 | United Kingdom | 2004 | [35] |
Ottawa bus–train crash | 6 | Canada | 2013 | [36] |
Valhalla train crash | 6 | United States | 2015 | [37] |
Gerogery level crossing accident | 5 | Australia | 2001 | [38] |
2022 Missouri train derailment | 4 | United States | 2022 | |
Nosaby level crossing disaster
|
2 | Sweden | 2004 |
Runway crossings
Aircraft runways sometimes cross roads or rail lines, and require signaling to avoid collisions.
Australia
- Kingsford Smith Airport had a runway crossing, when that runway was extended. The railway was later deviated with sharp curves to avoid that runway.[dubious ] On June 18, 1950, a Douglas DC-3 operating for Ansett Australia was involved in a ground collision with a freight train at the crossing. [39]The accident derailed several train cars, severely damaged the aircraft, and resulted in one minor injury to the aircraft crew.
- Burnie Airport had a runway crossing over the 05/23 Runway. This crossing was built over the railway line when the airfield was constructed, and has since been decommissioned with the closing of both the railway line and the 05/23 runway.[40]
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.[41]
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
Nicaragua
The runway of Ometepe Airport crosses the highway NIC-64.
Philippines
As of February 2023, there exists one road-runway crossing at
Sweden
The Visby Lärbro Line between Visby and Lärbro crossed the runway of Visby Airport between 1956 and 1960.[45]
Switzerland
Two public roads cross the runway at Meiringen Air Base. Electrically operated gates close when aircraft land or take off.[46]
United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland: There was a runway crossing on the Belfast–Derry railway line. The runway was interlocked with conventional railway block instruments to the control tower.
- Scotland: Crossing of the A970 road over Sumburgh Airport's runway in Shetland.
See also
- At-grade intersection
- At-grade railway
- Billups Neon Crossing Signal
- Boom barrier
- Breakover angle
- Crossbuck
- Four-quadrant gate
- Grade separation
- Level crossing signals
- Lists of rail accidents
References
- ^ a b VicRoads (26 August 2014). "Trains & level crossings". VicRoads. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ "Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Overview". Federal Railroad Administration. Department of Transportation. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- ^ JAMES J. ROZEK; JOHN A. HARRISON (1998). "Grade Crossing Safety and Economic Issues in Planning for High-Speed Rail Systems" (PDF). TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD (1177): 47. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
Highway grade crossings are generally incompatible with HSR operation
- ISSN 0162-8178. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
with the exception of a few grade crossings in Italy, all high-speed rail crossings are grade separated
- ^ "RS 0.741.20 Convention du 8 novembre 1968 sur la signalisation routière (avec annexes)" [RS 0.741.20: Convention of 8 November 1968 on the road signals (with appendices)]. Swiss Federal Government Portal (in French) (11 December 1992 ed.). Vienna. 29 December 2016 [1968]. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
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.
- ^ .
- S2CID 5744697.
- ^ Australian Transport Safety Bureau (2004). "Level crossing accident fatalities".
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help)[permanent dead link] - ^ Lloyd's Register Rail (2007). "Study of pedestrian behaviour at public railway crossings". Public Transport Safety Victoria.
- ^ Federal Railroad Administration (2006). "Railroad safety statistics: 2005 annual report". Federal Railroad Administration, Washington D.C.
- ^ "Honeywell Radar Scanner, Advantages & Benefits" (PDF). Honeywell Regelsysteme GmbH. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ U.S. Department of Transportation (December 2005). "Transit Safety & Security Statistics & Analysis 2003 Annual Report (Formerly SAMIS)" (PDF).
- ^ "Collisions & Casualties by Year | Operation Lifesaver".
- ^ Section 4D.13 and Section 8D.07 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
- ^ 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)
- ^ "Cameras installed at level crossing to catch motorists breaking the law". Global Railway Review. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Level crossings - everything you need to know | RAC Drive". www.rac.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "2011–12 budget papers: Transport, Energy and Infrastructure: Targets 2011−12" (PDF). South Australian Government. p. 112. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ Langenweddingen level crossing disaster
- ^ "India train crash deaths reach 55". BBC. 4 February 2005. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
- ^ Blair, Edmund (17 November 2012). "UPDATE 5-Train ploughs into school bus in Egypt, 50 killed". Reuters. Thomson Reuters.
- ^ UPI. 31 October 1984. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ "Ukraine train and bus collision kills 42". BBC. 12 October 2010.
- ^ Polgahawela level crossing accident
- ^ Dorion level crossing accident
- ^ "Slovak bus-rail crash 'kills 11'". BBC. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
- ^ "Al Menos Once Muertos y 228 Heridos en la Mayor Tragedia con Trenes en la Ciudad en Casi 50 Años". Clarín (in Spanish). Buenos Aires. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ "Argentina Bus and Trains Crash Killing at Least 11". BBC. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ "Driver Sentenced in Deadly Amtrak Crash". WMAQ TV Chicago. NBC. 28 September 2004. Retrieved 19 January 2006.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 978-0-10-137060-8. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ Oake, Dan; Doherty, Ben; Webb, Carolyn; Guerrera, Orietta (5 June 2007). "11 die in train crash". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 June 2007.
- ^ Simmons, Ann M. (21 August 2008). "Metrolink killer is sentenced to 11 life terms in prison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
- ISBN 978-0-7110-2470-0.[page needed]
- ^ "Driver says light did not turn green - October 27, 1995". CNN. 27 October 1995. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Seven train crash dead are named". BBC. 8 November 2004. Archived from the original on 13 June 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
- ^ "5 dead in Ottawa train-bus collision". CNN International. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "Metro-North Crash Kills 7 in Worst Accident of Railroad's History - February 3, 2015". The New York Times. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ^ Kerr, Joseph (14 May 2004). "Riding a slow train to nowhere". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
- ^ "Plane Meets Train". Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Wynyard Airport Railway Crossing". Airways Museum.
- ^ "Airport Tunnel will open at one minute past midnight on Friday morning".
- ^ "Gisborne (NZGS) aerodrome diagram" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ "Gisborne (NZGS) Operational Signal Lights" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. 4 September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ Meniano, Sarwell (15 February 2023). "CAAP mulls relocation of Northern Samar Airport". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Driftplatser som ingår i bandel 660". Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ Walker, John (25 April 2023). "The Military Airfield with Two Public Roads Crossing the Runway". scanalyst.fourmilab.ch. 24 January 2024.
Bibliography
- Hall, Stanley; van der Mark, Peter (2008). Level Crossings. Shepperton: ISBN 978-0-7110-3308-5.
External links
Media related to Level crossings at Wikimedia Commons
- Web Accident Prediction System - Highway-rail crossing data from the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis