There were 108,196 level crossings in the European Union Member States in 2014. On average there are just under 0.5 level crossings per line-kilometres in the EU.[1]
53% of all those level crossings are active level where users are protected from or warned of the approaching train by devices activated when it is unsafe for the user to traverse the crossing.[1]
The remaining 47% of level crossings are unprotected.[2] 28% of railway fatalities are from level crossing related incidents.
Number of level crossings in selected UNECE countries Source UNECE. [3]
In Albania, level crossings are only found in some locations. However, they can have red lights and barriers that may be automatic in some places. Many crossings are still used as manually operated gates, others are automatic and have additional bells.
The unguarded level crossings are used in most locations, they have only crossbucks and sometimes a stop sign added below to indicate that the railroad crossing is unsafely guarded and should have to stop all vehicles when passing the level crossing; in the case if the trains were approaching. [citation needed]
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Austrian level crossings are similar to the German crossings, in that they have either single or double lights, bells, and some crossings are equipped with automatic barriers that lower when a train approaches. Some crossings does not have barriers but has still lights and bells. The crossings with traffic lights composed of two lights (one amber and one red) are the more common type, replacing the old single red light crossings, which they are only found in some places.[citation needed]
Automatic level crossings in Belgium have two red lights, a "moon-white" light, electronic bells (originally used mechanical bells) and usually equipped with barriers. The bells were used similar to the ones used in Netherlands, replacing the old mechanical ring bells that sounds continuous until the barriers close down. The white light flashes for half a second at regular intervals to inform drivers and pedestrians that they can cross the level crossing, and that the signal is in working order, if there are no trains approaching. In some cases the white light is absent; in that case overtaking on the crossing is not allowed (if there are no barriers). The bells ring until the barriers are fully lowered and then stop. If barriers are absent the bell continues ringing throughout. Some crossings have only crossbucks and also sometimes traffic lights to head a warn drivers of a crossing without main equipment. They are also in use with two or three lights and without barriers on tramways at De Panne (until 2021), Zwijndrecht (until 2019), Anderlues, Ghent, and MIVB Line 44 (only here with bells).
At a level crossing, any overhead electric railway lines must also cross. This led to a conflict where a mainline railway that crossed one of the country's once extensive interurban tram lines (vicinal, buurtspoorweg/vicinaux) was electrified. In at least one location, this led to the tram overhead being dismantled.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Bulgaria uses two flashing red lights. Many numbers of crossings uses half crossing barriers, although the others were longer closer to the road length. Modern level crossings in Bulgaria uses a white light in the bottom that flashes when the crossing is clear and the order is working perfectly and to inform drivers to pass the crossing Non-gated crossings uses the crossbuck in white with red stripes that are similar used in some variants of the Polish crossbuck. Some crossbucks also can seen in some gated crossings. The bells continue to sound when the gates are raising. The fewest crossings are rarely manually operated, although in the future will be entirely replaced by the newer one used commonly. Also, in some level crossings, they use the red lights inside the black rectangles (or blackboards), but the white flashing light is not used when the space for a bell is needed. Some level crossings also uses the WSSB crossing equipment, which is almost identical to the Syrian and Romanian crossings, but it uses the crossbuck similar to the Romanian ones. The signals are borrowed from Germany, whereas the crossing began to start to use these crossing equipment on several crossings. At some crossings, a fewer USSR era crossings with bells are those similar to the ones in the Soviet Union (now Russia), due to their plan of replacing the entire crossings as of 2023, the crossings might be replaced with their newer crossing equipment. These signals were installed upon the 20th century from the deriving signals from the Soviet Union. The alarms and bells used on the level crossings may vary differently, most level crossings uses the car horn sound ("minibuzzers"), which is varied in different pitches and speed, but some crossings uses the siren sound similar to the fire alarm sweep tone or emergency vehicles, such as the fire engines, and rarely used the loud ringing bells, just like the Moldavian crossings did. In some level crossings, the bells wil cut off per a second when the light circuits are working. Also, at some crossings with only crossbucks, there is a sign saying "stop, look, listen, look for trains when crossing".[citation needed]
Bosnia and Herzegovina level crossings uses two red lights in a triangle, much like the crossings in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Crossings without lights or gates uses white target boards.
If the crossing have overhead electric wires, the sign saying "Visoki napon - Opasno po život" (high voltage - dangerous for life).[citation needed]
Croatian level crossing with lights, automatic barriers and bells
Croatian level crossings are similar to Slovenian and Bosnian crossings in that the lights are composed of red lights in a triangle. Many crossings are automatic with barriers and bells. Some crossings has high pitched mechanical bells or e-bells and LED lights, which they are recently used. Also, in a fewer locations, the crossings uses the Scheidt & Bachmann equipment similar to the German crossings, in that they have German e-bells, gates, and updated warning lights.[citation needed]
Crossings over electrical lines uses the overhead signs saying "Visoki Napon – Opasno Po Života" (High Voltage – Danger of Death) or "Visoki Napon – Opasnost Života" (High Voltage – Dangerous Life).
Level crossings in Czech Republic and Slovakia use a sign on the lights that reads "Pozor Vlak" (Attention – train) to warn people of the crossing. The crossbuck of a Slovak crossing is on a white target board, while the Czech crossbuck is a cutout sign. The lights are similar to the Belgian crossings in that they have two red lights and sometimes a white light, which means the driver can go up to 50 km/h, rather than 30 km/h, with half barriers. On some crossings, the space for a white light is provided but no light is there, because in newer legislation it is taken as dangerous element that should not be used to positively change driver's speed. Sometimes a fluorescent yellow-green outline (surrounds the Czech crossbucks or replaces background for the Slovak crossbucks) for increased visibility at night. Some of the oldest crossings do not feature lights but do have bells and gates. Some older (though newer than those mentioned, dubbed SSSRs) crossings are in a design similar to the USSR-era crossings, and feature electromechanical buzzers as opposed to bells. Newer crossings are similar to those of the UK.
More recently,[when?] Slovak legislation has called for the phase-out of the Czech crossing in favor of German counterparts. The newest crossings already feature German bells, lights (though they are in the Czech style as opposed to German), Slovenian gates and German crossbucks, where they are needed.
Some crossings has Scheidt & Bachmann equipment, mostly is occurred in Slovakia.[citation needed]
Active level crossing on Flagbakkevej in Skagen, Denmark
The crossings in Denmark have white and red saltires and crossing lights in the shape of a triangle coloured red, white and blue with a flashing red light in the centre. Most of the older equipment is from Dansk Signal Industri (Danish Signal Industry) and some equipment from Lauritz Knudsen, but recently Scheidt & Bachmann's and Electrans crossing equipment has started being used, as well as LED lights and PINTSCH gate mechanisms. Most crossings are only half barrier, and bells stop sounding when gates have lowered on almost all crossings. If the crossing has no gates, the bells sound until the train has passed. Unprotected crossings have only saltires and sometimes a sign saying "Se Efter Tog" ("Look for train"). Some older guarded crossings do not have the saltires.
Ungated SSSR level crossing signal in Niitvälja, Estonia
A Romanian styled signal with Czechoslovakian SSSR lights in the Eesti Muuseumraudtee, Estonia
Most protected crossings are equipped with LED-lights. Non-gated crossings have a crossbuck fitted, but gated ones do not. All gated crossings have half-barriers though some are marginally longer than others. Bells may vary. Many crossings use the same bell sound used on Polish crossings, very rarely fire alarms, sometimes a simple high pitch beep. Some non-gated crossings have a white flashing light that flashes when the crossing is inactive. In less populated areas, crossings are fitted with just a crossbuck and sometimes a stop sign. A few USSR era signals still remain, however due to their replacement they are being phased out. Newly recently refreshed level crossings uses the stylized equipment that is similar to the Moroccan or Egyptian crossings; features LED lights, alarms, and gates when is optional. Most level crossings uses a crossing information sign below the lights with a telephone number, which is significant to the all level crossings.[citation needed]
In the Eesti Muuseumraudtee, there is a level crossing with Czechoslovakian SSSR lights and two signs that are used from Romania, except that the "Opreşte la lumina roşie" (stop at the red light) sign is translated to other text in Estonian and the bells are though looked like from Post-Soviet designs.
In Finland, level crossings with lights have the more common red light(s) and a white light that flashes except when the red light(s) flash. Most, but not all, crossings with lights also have barriers. Full-length barriers are usually used only for pedestrian and bicycle lanes. Half-length barriers are used for motor roads, to avoid the risk of a vehicle being trapped on the tracks between the barriers. Bells begin to ring when the red lights start flashing and usually stop when the barriers have come down. The Finnish crossbucks uses a yellow background with red border are used on both controlled and uncontrolled level crossings. If there are two or more tracks in a crossing, the lower part of the crossbuck is used in a shape of a chevron. Only minor agricultural crossings may have no signs at all. On bigger roads there are usually also approach signs. Finnish level crossings are the sixth safest in Europe.[4] Finland's state railway system has almost 3000 level crossings, according to TraFi.[5] In Finland over the course of railway history many level crossing accidents have occurred, in comparison to Scandinavian countries.[6] In Finland the maximum speed for trains on the rails with level crossings is 140 km/h.[7]
Unprotected right crossing in France, marked by a Saint Andrews Cross
French level crossings usually have automatic half barriers, a single red light on a circle backboard, and bells (11,200 out of 15,300). When the crossing activates, the red light flashes, the bells ring, and the barriers come down. Due to a crash at Allinges in 2008, the law since 2017 allows adding an extra blinking red light when the first red light might not be visible. Some crossings have a sign saying "signal automatique" (automatic signal). French level crossings with more than one track have a sign saying "un train peut en cacher un autre" (a train can hide another train).
As of 2016 France has 15,459 level crossings (by comparison, there were 33,500 in 1938 and 25,000 in 1980). Of these, less than 0.4% are on national roads, 31.4% are on departmental roads and 68.2% are on town roads.[8] The high-speed train lines are built with no level crossings, but high-speed trains are also used on conventional railway lines and exposed there to level crossing accidents.
100 crashes occurred at French level crossings in 2015, causing 26 fatalities.[9] Most of these crashes are caused by misuse, e.g., trying to pass as the barriers are down or are closing, in violation of the French traffic code.
French crossbucks are white with red stripes that marks the ungated railroad crossing, can have a target board, which can be black or grey, depending on which type of the crossbuck fits with. Sometimes a stop sign is added below to indicate a ungated railroad crossing without barriers, which the drivers can pass the railroad crossing if no trains are approaching.
German level crossingGerman level crossing with WSSB lights and mechanical gates
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German crossings use a white cross with red tips as a traffic signal for level crossings. On small branch lines, these can be the only indicator, and are then equivalent to a stop sign. More often they are supplemented by either yellow-and-red-only traffic lights, or a flashing red light on a square backboard with a red and white border that indicates an arriving train, usually in combination with a bell as acoustic warning. Additional indicators like a light signalling "2 Züge" ("2 trains") are rare. Some crossings have mechanical gates, which may have manual controller racks with crank that must rotate when the barriers are closing and may have additional bells, that are being replaced by automatic level crossings. More rarely, if the level crossing is closed in case of emergency, the button if is pushed will the crossing open fully when no trains were approaching, it is called Anrufschranken.[citation needed]
Greek crossings uses crossbucks with a yellow background with a red border; if the crossing has more than one track, the additional chevron is added below that indicates that the crossing with two or more tracks are present. Gated crossings tend to follow United States practices and use American-made crossing warning equipment.[10]
Ungated level crossings uses crossbucks with stop signs added below and can have signals if is automatic. If is not automatic; mostly will have crossbucks with stop signs added below to indicate a ungated railroad crossing.
The Hungarian crossbuck is a white cutout sign with red border, similar to the Czech crossbuck. It features an additional chevron if more than one tracks are present in one crossing. The automatic lights are similar in shape to the Finnish lights, they have one white light that flashes when the crossing is clear and works perfectly in idle and two red lights that flash alternately when activated. They don't feature bells, thus they make no sound at all.[11] They can be equipped with half-length barriers, or two pairs of half-length barriers to block the whole roadway. In the latter case the lowering of the exit side barriers is delayed, to avoid closing vehicles into the crossing. [12]
Since in Hungary the white flashing light is called an idle signal, it only means the device is in working order, and the drivers may cross the railway without stopping if they deem it safe, yet should they still do so with caution. A dark device means the system is faulty, and drivers should stop at the crossing to make sure there is no train coming by. If the system detects a fault while the barriers are closed, it will lift them up slowly, and stop them at a slight angle instead of vertical, to make the fault stance unambiguous.[11]
Old mechanical full length barriers can still be found in some places, they can have an additional bell, a pair of red lights, or both to alert drivers of the barrier being lowered. They don't feature a white idle signal, as they are operated manually.[11] These are legacy solutions and are going to be phased out.[12]
Irish level crossings are similar to the level crossings in UK in the 1960s, in that they have a preliminary amber light before the red lights start flashing and the barriers descend. Crossings are the same on the whole island of Ireland (except for Wexford Town), and are either of the old gated variant, or are automatic. Ireland has automatic crossings that have full barriers. The audible alarms are unique to the country.[citation needed]
Level crossings on the Isle of Man Railway (the steam railway) are based on the variants used in the UK and Ireland, but a notable difference is that most crossings use the vertical signals that have red flashing lights on the top and bottom, with the amber preliminary light in the middle with no crossbucks at the crossings. Level crossings uses automatic boom barriers instead of hydraulic gates, which are only found in some numbers of crossings. Other crossings with no gates or lights mostly use a target board sign featuring the crossbucks, and some crossings have horizontal lights.
On the Manx Electric Railway level crossings are similar to those in the UK. There are mostly no barriers. Some crossings have crossbucks only.
Level crossings in Italy, much as in the rest of Europe, can be manned, unmanned, manual, or automated. In the Italian highway code, level crossings are called passaggio a livello, often abbreviated to "P/L" on road markings. Some level crossings have a sign saying "stop con segnale rosso" (stop on red signal). The crossing can be composed of single or double red lights, mechanical or electrical barriers and on older ones, a fidget spinner rotating that prioritize the barriers to be lowered down. Some older railroad crossings have emergency buttons that are used somewhat in reference to Anrufschranken when the level crossing is closed in case of emergency. Some level crossings have crossbucks rotated 90° vertically. The bells at the level crossings in Italy may be mechanical or electric, depending on the different types. In 2024, from RFI and ILCAD data, there are 4,072 level crossings in Italy, of which 421 are private and the remainder (about 3,600 ca.) are public.[13][14]
A gated railroad crossing in Latvia with a train passing
A ungated railroad crossing signal in Latvia with a stop sign above the crossbuck
In Latvia, level crossings are similar to the variants used in Estonia and Russia. Protected crossings with gates have crossing gates similar to the ones used in Poland. Other railroad crossings have other barriers that uses different types from other countries. Crossings without gates have a flashing white light that allows all drivers to pass the level crossing and is fully clear. Some crossings do not have white lights. Alarms and bells that sound varies at different locations; some crossings have audible tones similar that of a car alarm, similar to the Ukrainian crossings.
Newly refurbished crossings have updated warning lights that are similar to Polish level crossings. The bells at some of these crossings ring faster than the others.[citation needed]
In Liechtenstein, level crossings are similar to the German and Austrian crossings, in that they use amber and red lights composed in a traffic light. Also,usually is equipped with barriers, some crossings have bells.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Lithuania are similar to those in Russia, they usually have two flashing red lights and sometimes a white flashing light to indicate that the crossing is clear. Many crossings also have barriers. The bells varies at different locations when sounding. They use road signs similar to the ones used in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries that are formerly members of the Soviet Union and in Mongolia.
Following refurbishment at many crossings, new crossings lights similar to the ones in Latvia are used. Others have updated flashing lights with new e-bells that are also used in Germany. Some crossings have been rebuilt to include multiple gates for both road and pedestrian traffic. Newly installed electronic warning signs reading "Atsargiai Traukinys!" (Caution Train!) are also used.[citation needed]
Luxembourg uses two flashing red lights and double barriers at many level crossings. The bells and crossing gates are based on the variants used in Germany. Some crossings have crossbucks that are used only at unguarded level crossings. Due to the location and terrain, a yellow sign reading "Un train peut en cacher un autre (One train can hide another train)" is used at most locations if more than one track on a crossing is present.[citation needed]
Moldavian level crossings are very similar to the Russian and other pre-USSR era countries of the level crossings, with the two red lights, but much like the Romanian level crossings, have an intermittent white light that flashes when there are no trains approaching and the system is working perfectly. Some crossings have gates that are built half armed, and the other crossings are redundant due to the removal of some level crossings. The bells at level crossings has loud bells, just like Russian crossings.[citation needed]
Montenegrin level crossings have two red lights inside a triangle, just like the Serbian, Macedonian and Croatian crossings. The crossings can have half-length barriers, but some of them doesn't have it. Other crossings are manually operated and are being started to replace with newer crossings. The crossings uses the crossbuck in yellow and red stripes, more based on the Serbian railroad crossings. This is also used in some variants of the crossbuck that uses in the Vienna convention. Many crossings over electrified railway lines have height restrictions due to the low cables.[citation needed]
In the Netherlands, the level crossings mostly have half barriers, mechanical or electrical bells, and double (or sometimes single) red lights. The lights flash alternately, as do the ones on the barriers. Those for pedestrians with an active warning system have full barriers. One level crossing in Roermond (previously Zutphen and Naarden-Bussum) is operated remotely by staff from a traffic control centre, using cameras; this crossing has full barriers, no bells and has a system to detect a vehicle which has been trapped; in this case the exit barriers are opened. Crossings with little road traffic or little rail traffic have no bells but has warning signs. There are no level crossings where trains routinely run at over 140 km/h. Some crossings has amber warning lights that is used in some distance before the level crossing and it warns drivers that the level crossing is approaching definitely at a distance, and (or) at road intersections and other deep locations, the amber warning arrow light (or sometimes a red warning arrow light) is used on the road intersections, deep locations or at a relevant distance far away in some distance before the level crossing. Some level crossings uses the universal light signalling, and it uses the red and amber lights those similar used in Germany in some distance from a level crossing. In a relevant distance, some crossings use the advisory warning signals, which in that they use the road sign for a level crossing and orange warning lights, and it is used in a heavy distance before the level crossing. Most level crossings have a sign saying "wacht" (wait).
On unprotected crossings, the white light is used that flashes when the crossing is inactive. Some level crossings uses the sign saying "let op trein" (watch out for a train), which is used on ungated level crossings in rural areas for industrial spur lines. Some older versions has no blue signs but it has two or three white signs with red diagonal stripes. Other variants of signs with blue signs are those rare, and it is found at two crossings, e.g. "LET OP! TREIN" (Watch out! Train) or "LET OP! spoorfietsen" (Watch out! Bicycle lane). Some crossings have electric advisory highway warning signs (as opposed to matrixbord) that works when the level crossing can release in case of a crossing.
Warning lights and bells are activated when the train is about 1 km before the crossing, depending on line speed. 5-10 seconds later the barriers start closing, which takes about 10 seconds. When the barriers have closed, some bells may stop ringing. Lights and bells are stopped when the barriers have raised again. As passive warning signs there are red and white striped fences, red and white saltires for single tracks (doubled in case of two or more tracks) and sometimes advanced warning signs at 80, 160 and 240 metres. The mechanical bells uses two types; it can be a loud bell or a quiet sounding bell, or electrical bells with two types; a normal EBA bell or a ANA bell or violating the sentence for residential areas.
When there is a station shortly before the level crossing and an intervening signal, the signal may remain red and the crossing kept open until the train approaches the station. The crossing would then close after a delay, allowing the signal to be cleared. There are also level crossings on tram and metro lines in Rijswijk on tram line 1, and in Utrecht, Nieuwegein, IJsselstein, Rotterdam, open-air museum Arnhem, and on the Heritage tramline Amsterdam-Amstelveen.[citation needed]
Level crossings in North Macedonia look similar to those in Serbia, but are different due to how the lights turn off when both gates shut fully.[citation needed]
In Norway, level crossings have red and white crosses with a similar light system to German crossings, although the single red light flashes, as do the lights on the barriers. The white light shines when the crossing is clear. The bells uses the same sound as the Swedish level crossings.
From 1998 to 2008 the Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket) removed about 1000 level crossings, leaving about 3500 still in use. 160 km/h (99 mph) is the maximum speed for trains over level crossings.[15] In addition, Oslo's and Bergen's tram or light rail systems have some level crossings. Most lines on the Oslo Metro (T-banen) are free of them. Most of the level crossings were removed from the old suburban railways in the western parts of the city, when the lines were upgraded to metro standard, but some crossings are retained on the Holmenkollen Line.
Polish level crossings have a red-white striped pole with two red lights. Most crossings have two barriers while others have a single barrier large enough to prevent vehicles from going around. Certain crossings have one light; others have no lights but are equipped with barriers. Crossings without gates have crossbucks and, at some locations, a stop sign mounted below the lights.
For safety precautions, level crossing bells continue to sound until the train has passed through. At other crossings with more than one track, the bells will continue if more than one train is approaching. Electrical advisory signs are also in place at crossings where overhead lines are present.
The numerous narrow-gauge railway level crossings were and are almost all unguarded. There are usually only crossbucks. In so far as these lines still exist, they are museum/heritage lines.[16]
Portuguese level crossings have bells, but some of them do not have lights. Two alternating flashing lights accompany the barriers, which can be manual or automatic. They also have a sign saying "pare ao sinal vermelho" (stop at the red light), and information sign with telephone number. When activated, the bells ring, the lights flash, the barriers come down and the bells continue to ring.[citation needed]
In Romania, signalled crossings are only present on lines with BLA (automated line block) or near stations. If it is near a station on a line without BLA, most commonly there will be mechanical barriers controlled by a person. On other lines, if there is at least limitation of decent visibility of the line crossings will not be equipped with a semi-barrier. Otherwise, semi-barriers are present at some crossings. Older types will have the mechanism for the semi-barrier but without the semi-barrier itself. On new and modernized lines, at every crossing it is required to have a quad semi-barrier system. Some crossings have a sign saying "Opreşte La Lumina Roşie" (stop at red lights). Some crossings have mechanical bells, while others have e-bells which use one of two sounds (normal bell tone and sweep tone). In Buftea there is a unique crossing which uses a Safetran Type-3 E-Bell sound.[citation needed]
In 2021, on the Teiuș – Mediaș railway line, the railroad manufacturer had to install new crossing device equipment from SPIACT Craiova on many railroad crossings replacing the older crossing devices that were used from USSR, which were poorly lit, the newer crossing devices that are mostly modern and automated.
Like U.S. level crossings, Russian crossings have two red lights. They act similarly to U.S. level crossings, but the barriers go slightly up for one second before going down.
Every level crossing with barriers is manned by a crossing keeper, who depending on the crossing type, may operate it, or if it is automatic, ensure its correct operation.
Some Russian crossings have flip-up barriers that allow cars to drive over them when going away from the tracks, but physically prevent cars from driving around or through a lowered gate toward the tracks. They sometimes also has a moon-white light that flash when the crossing is in working order.[citation needed]
There are around 2,790 level crossings in Serbia. These crossings have red triangles with a yellow or white inside and two red lights in the triangle. When a train trips the gate system, the bell and the lights are first activated, then after 10 to 15 seconds the barriers come down. The bell is usually silenced once the barrier is lowered. The crossing barriers are red and yellow, while the crossbucks are either the same colour as the barrier or the background triangle. Unlike neighbouring Croatia and Slovenia, where crossings secured only with lights are fairly common, in Serbia they tend to be the exception; full barrier crossings are also rare, and if these exist, they are still manually operated.[citation needed]
Some crossings uses the AŽD equipment notable to the similar uses in Czechia and Slovakia, they also features LED lights.
In Slovenia, level crossings are similar to the Croatian and Bosnian crossings, in that they have the triangle sign with two red lights inside it. The crossings have half barriers (mainly) and bells that sound when a train approaches. The level crossings use bells that alert for about 15 seconds until the barriers close. The bells are used similar to the ones in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The latest electronically railway crossings to be installed on the Zidani Most-Šentilj line (2021, replacement of old relays) have German warning beeps.
In Slovenia, there are no more old crossings that work in a manual way, for which a special guard is needed. If a crossing has electrical wires, the overhead signs are present at all crossings.[citation needed]
Spanish level crossings have two alternating red lights, barriers and sometimes a pedestrian light on the other side of the crossing. When activated, the lights flash, the bells ring and the barriers lower, as the crossing is usually automatic. More rarely, once the barriers have fully lowered, the sound changes. For some level crossings, when the barriers begin to go up, the square light stops flashing. If the level crossings have no gates, the crossbucks are used mostly with two red lights, bells and additional light signalling with text that says "Otro Tren" (Caution Train). Unlike level crossings in most other countries, the level crossings in Spain activate a long time before the train arrives.[citation needed]
A pedestrian railroad crossing in Apelviken, Sweden
In Sweden there are 8,500 level crossings, according to Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration (formerly Banverket, the Swedish Rail Administration). On public roads they have light signals with or without gates. On private roads there are level crossings without signals. Most accidents occur on crossings without gates. For many years there have been activities to reduce the number of accidents, usually by adding gates, or adding light signals if there were none. On the main lines many bridges have been built, and also anywhere a new road or new railway has been built. Still there are some level crossings left on the main lines. A train speed of 200 km/h is allowed in Sweden over level crossings, if there are gates and an obstacle detection unit. This unit detects cars on the track and prevents the gates from closing fully and stops the train. According to Trafikverket, in 15 years there has only been one serious collision between a car and a train on such a level crossing, when a car ran through the gates just in front of the train. Level crossings on electrified lines have a wide sign above the roadway at the barrier line saying "livsfarlig ledning" (dangerous conduit). Some also have a sign saying "se upp för tåg" (beware of trains).[17]
Most level crossings in Switzerland have two red lights on the bottom of a triangle backboard, bells, barriers, and sometimes, a smaller triangle with one red light in the middle. When activated, each red light flashes for a third of a second. The bells ring as well. After a few seconds, the barriers come down and the bells stop ringing. Most Swiss crossings are automatic and a few are also on rack railway systems, so they have rising teeth that come out from the ground. The barriers have two types of arms; can have straight or wishbone arms.[citation needed]
Turkish level crossings have two red lights, bells, barriers and at most crossings, a large red light displaying "DUR" (stop) which remains lit until the trains have cleared the crossing. Crossings with triangle backboards similar to the ones in Serbia and Macedonia are used but over time, new modern and refurbished crossings that use US-style mechanisms are becoming more common. These crossings have a white crossbuck with red lettering displaying Demiryolu Geçidi (railroad crossing). In addition, a sign similar to the ones in Germany is used if the tracks are electrified with overhead wiring. Additionally, most railroad crossings also have a white sign underneath the traffic light with the red letters on it saying "Kırmızı ışıkta DUR" (please stop at the red light), which reminds all the pedestrians and drivers to stop when the red lights are lit.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Ukraine is similar to the other post-Soviet countries and rarely Bulgaria, which they can consist of two red lights and possibly a white light to indicate the crossing is clear. Barriers can also be included, as well as a vast array of noises that accompany the closure. Level crossings uses the sound of a car alarm, just like Latvia did. Older crossings had some loud bells, but the sound gets replaced entirely with the car alarm ones.[citation needed]
Level crossings in the United Kingdom started out as crossings with gates opened manually by a signalman. These were standard all across the network until mechanised barriers started to be introduced. These were either automatic or operated by a signalman adjacent to the crossing. After the major Hixon rail crash in 1968, the design of level crossings started to change, and all mechanised crossings had to have a preliminary amber light fitted. The UK is one of only a few countries with this design of crossing. More recent advances in technology have led to more technical[clarification needed] automatic crossings, safer open crossings, and crossings with obstacle detection systems to detect stray people or vehicles on the crossing.
In 2020 there were around 5800 level crossings on the mainline railway system, and a further 1500 on heritage and minor railway lines. The number on the mainlines is being slowly reduced as diversions and bridges are implemented.
Most UK level crossings are footpath and user-worked crossings, and 1 in 5 are on public highways[citation needed]. The majority of these are manually controlled and monitored from either the adjacent signal-box or another box using CCTV.
There are many different types of crossings. Crossings which are automatic and independent from the signalling system (like most standard crossings internationally) have half-barriers.
Level crossings were the location of 55 collisions between trains and road vehicles between 2011 and 2019.[18]
The nearly 7,500 level crossings in the United Kingdom[19] can be broadly classified into two types:
protected crossings, with warning lights and gates or barriers which prevent crossing when a train is nearby;
unprotected crossings: footpaths, bridleways and user-worked crossings (where the responsibility for ensuring a safe crossing lies on the user).[20]
Network Rail, responsible for maintaining most of the crossings, is taking steps to reduce safety risks,[21] for example by closing crossings where possible.[22] There are still old wooden manual gates in use at regular and Heritage railways.
Algerian level crossings have a single flashing light surrounded with a red frame. The crossing gates and lights are based on crossing equipment used in France. Since most crossing gates have half barriers, trains often blow the horn to deter drivers from going around the barriers. Also, they usually have bells to warn drivers of approaching trains.
Crossings that have electrified tracks have arches with signage reading "Danger de Mort" (Danger of Death) and "Haute Tension" (High Voltage), warning drivers and pedestrians to not make contact with the wiring or drive through with oversized vehicles.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Angola that are equipped with gates and lights are mostly identical to the variants used in Portugal. These crossings also have a yellow signs to alert drivers to stop and look before proceeding, and in addition, a crossing information sign that describes information about the telephone number in case of emergency and other perspective informations. Most of the level crossings have traffic guards present in populated areas and some of them have manually controlled gates. The bells continues to sound until the crossing arms are raised.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Benin have railroad bells and lights similar to crossing equipment used in France. Most of these crossings do not have gates and instead, the bells continue to ring until the train has passed.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Botswana uses crossing equipment with lights that are identical to the variants used in Canada and in the US. These crossings have electronic bells that continue to ring while the gates are lowered and it is marked with crossbucks and signs that provides instructions if a event of emergency at the crossing takes place. Yellow crossbucks are used at unguarded crossings.[citation needed]
Many level crossings in Côte d'Ivoire remain manually operated with only target boards and crossing guards to signal drivers. Plans to modernize the crossings with lights have been announced as of 2018.[citation needed]
Crossings in Egypt that have bells continue to ring for the duration of the gates being lowered. Some crossings around Cairo have multiple lights and alarms. Other level crossings that have been recently refurbished uses crossing equipment and bells that are also utilized in Spain. At most locations, the gates can stay closed for a long while.[citation needed]
To cut down on crossing incidents, the newly installed crossing lights have an arrow indicator between the flashing lights to highlight the direction of any trains. Some crossings also have cameras mounted above the tracks which can lead to issuing fines for drivers that ignore safety rules such as by going around the barriers.[citation needed]
Ghanaian railroad crossings uses gates, lights and crossbucks that are based on the designs of Dutch railroad crossings. Most crossings, however, do not have gates or lights.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Madagascar are very similar to the crossings used in France which features a single flashing red light, but are manually operated. Traffic guards are also present at other crossings that don't have barriers.[citation needed]
In Morocco, many crossings have crossing gates, lights and bells based on the equipment used in France. Other locations have level crossing equipment based on crossings in Spain and Chile.[citation needed]
A majority of level crossings in Nigeria are manually operated and others do not have gates. Crossing guards are present and signal drivers when trains are approaching.
Yellow crossbucks with black text are used around Nigeria. These crossbucks often resemble the ones used in Australia, while some others are based on crossbucks found in New Zealand.[citation needed]
Most level crossings in Senegal are unguarded. Crossings that have lights and bells are based on the French level crossings. Two variants of crossbucks are used, one that is the target board used by France and others have a red crossbuck with white dashes.
Some crossings that are manually operated use modified stop signs that flash when trains are approaching.[citation needed]
Level crossings in South Africa usually consist of lights and a barrier, though others remain unguarded. All crossings use the same large crossbucks as are used in Czechia and in neighbouring countries.
Due to increased crossing fatalities and accidents over the years, many level crossings have since been replaced with bridges and underpasses.[citation needed]
Crossings in Tunisia follow the same practices used in France, Morocco and Senegal. As such, warning crossing equipment is based on installations used by the French. However some differences exist as the target boards are black instead of gray and some crossings have a second bell that emits a louder sound when ringing. Other crossings have lights that are raised much higher.[citation needed]
Crossings with lights in Zimbabwe are similar to New Zealand but with the crossbuck placed between the lights. The bells are very rare, it uses aluminum bells from Japan. Due to history of vandalism and decline of the economy, many crossing gates and lights remain out of order, though as of 2018, plans are in motion to modernize and refurbish railway infrastructure and signalling.
Zimbabwe crossbucks are often like the crossbucks used in the US, but the sign is yellow instead of white and the centre of the signage has the text moved to the corners of the road sign. Czech-style crossbucks, as used in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, are also present.[citation needed]
Public railway crossings in Canada are required by law to be marked by a crossbuck, along with alternating flashing red lights and gate arms on high-traffic roads. Crossbuck signs are white with a red outline and, if the situation warrants, contain a supplemental sign to indicate the number of tracks. Private roads in Canada that cross tracks are marked with either a crossbuck or a stop sign. A large number of public Canadian Pacific Railway level crossings in Ontario do not have a crossing arm but still utilize the crossbuck and alternating flashing lights. The advance-warning sign is a yellow diamond shape with a diagram of a track crossing a straight segment of road (similar to a crossroads sign, except that the horizontal road is replaced by a track). Before changes in regulations mandated bilingual (English and French) or wordless signs, either "railway crossing" or "traverse de chemin de fer" was written on each crossbuck. Lights, gates, and bells are identical to their American counterparts.
There are 22,884 public railroad crossings in Canada in 2018, according to the UNECE.[3]
Incofer has crossings with crossbucks as in the photo, with the words "Cuidado con el tren" (be careful of the train), as well as crossbucks without lettering, and a normal stop sign (alto). Since most crossings do not have automatic gates, the train has to blow the horn. Some crossings have warning lights.[citation needed]
If marked at all, the railroad crossing will have a sign marking it. This sign says, "Alto, Mire, Oiga" (Stop, look, listen). There are no gates.[citation needed]
Mexico has begun to install US-style crossing signals on some of its CPKC (formerly KCS de México), Ferromex, and Ferrosur rail lines; however, the majority of railroad crossings in Mexico remain unsignalled, marked only with a crossbuck. The crossing devices are very similar to the US models, sporting larger lights. The crossbucks read "Cruce de ferrocarril", "Crucero ferrocarril", or "Cuidado con el tren". The majority of crossings are solar-operated, and the lights flash faster than the US signals. Unfortunately, these devices are easy targets for vandals which steal their components such as gate motors and solar panels. In many cases the gates do not lower due to vandalism or lack of maintenance. In some cases, due to the lack of maintenance, the lights do not turn on at all. The rail companies, which by law are required to maintain the crossing signals, take little to no action in maintaining these devices, and the majority remain unmaintained, posing a threat to drivers.[citation needed]
The words "Railroad Crossing" normally appear on the crossbuck sign in the US. The road appears to make a turn so that it crosses the railroad at an angle closer to 90 degrees.Railroad crossing with a cantilever signal in Trout Lake, Michigan
The first US patent for manual/electrical crossing gates was awarded on 27 August 1867, to J. Nason and J. F. Wilson, both of Boston.[23]
There are 209,765 level crossings in the US in 2018, according to the UNECE.[3]
Every crossing, whether above grade, below grade, or at grade, is required to be assigned a unique identifier which is a six-digit number with a trailing letter used as a checksum. This identifier is called a Grade Crossing Number, and is usually posted with a sign or sticker on the sign or equipment. This allows the exact location of a crossing anywhere in the United States to be identified in the event of an incident involving that crossing.
All public crossings in the United States are required to be marked by at least a crossbuck. The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requires passive crossings (crossings without actuated flashing lights or gates) to have either stop signs or yield signs in addition to the crossbuck, unless a flagger will stop traffic every time a train approaches. Normally a yield sign is used, unless it is determined that all vehicles should stop at the crossing, such as a location with poor sight distance.[24]
Many modern grade crossings in the US are made with concrete, along with rubber next to the rails. This example is in Bloomfield, Connecticut.
If two or more tracks are found at a crossing, a sign denoting the number of tracks is required. This sign is optional at crossings with a gate.[25]
As traffic on the road crossing or the rail crossing increases, safety features are increased accordingly. More heavily trafficked crossings have "automatic warning devices" (AWDs), with alternately flashing red lights to warn automobile drivers and a bell to warn pedestrians. Additional safety is attained through crossing gates that block automobiles' approach to the tracks when activated. Increasingly, crossings are being fitted with four-quadrant gates to prevent circumventing the gates.[citation needed]
Operation of a typical AWD-equipped railroad crossing in the United States is as follows:
About 30 seconds before arriving at the crossing, the train trips a track circuit near the crossing, triggering the crossing signals. The lights begin to flash alternately, and a bell (or bells) mounted at the crossing begins ringing. After several seconds of flashing lights and ringing bells, the crossing gates (if equipped) begin to lower, which usually takes 5–10 seconds. Some AWDs silence the bell once the gates are fully lowered (typically seen on most Norfolk Southern and CSX crossings); most continue ringing the bells throughout (Union Pacific, BNSF Railway). Some crossings will not sound the bell at all after dark in the case that it is installed near a residential area. The lights continue to flash throughout regardless.
About 15–20 seconds before arriving at the crossing, the train begins ringing its bell and sounding its horn in accordance with NORAC rule 14L or GCOR rule 5.8.2(7): two long blasts, one short blast, and one long blast. These are prolonged or repeated until the train's locomotive (or cab, if a commuter train) occupies the crossing. If the AWD is equipped with a wayside horn in accordance with FRA Quiet Zone rules, the AWD may provide the whistle signal instead of the train; however, the train is required to ring its bell regardless.
After the train has cleared the crossing, the bells (if silenced) may begin ringing again (such as the Florida East Coast Railway), and the gates (if equipped) begin to rise. Once the gates have completely risen back to their fully raised position, all warning signals, including the lights and bells, are suppressed.[citation needed]
Some AWD track circuits are equipped with motion detectors that deactivate the crossing signal if the train stops or slows significantly before arriving at the crossing.[citation needed]
As indicated above, the bell sequence at each individual crossing can be different. (These bells should not be confused with the bells that are mounted on the trains.) Generally, the bells follow one of these patterns:
The bell begins ringing when the lights begin flashing and stops when the gates have completely lowered.
The bell begins ringing when the lights begin flashing and continues until the gates have gone all the way up after the train passes.
The bell begins ringing when the lights begin flashing and stops when the gates have completely lowered, and then resumes ringing when the gates begin to go up, until the gates have returned to their original position.
The bell begins ringing when the lights begin flashing and continues until the train touches the crossing, then resumes two seconds after the train has passed; this pattern is used exclusively on the BNSF Chicago Subdivision (commonly referred to as the "Racetrack").
The final, and most common practice is for the bell to begin ringing when the lights begin flashing and stops when the gates begin to go up following the passing of the train.[citation needed]
Some level crossings that are located close to intersections with traffic lights program the signals with a preemption sequence so when the approaching train trips the track circuit, it not only activates the crossing signals, but also changes the traffic lights facing the crossing to green, to clear any traffic that may be queued on the crossing. If the intersection's stop line is right before the tracks (typically sharing the crossing's stop line), the track circuits change the traffic lights to red (often without a yellow phase). Some track circuits place the signals into flash mode the entire time the AWDs are active. In cases where railroads share the right of way with vehicular traffic, simple railroad preemption may cause an all-red flash in traffic lights.[26]
A few level crossings still use wigwag signals, which were developed in the early 1900s by the Pacific Electric Railwayinterurban system in the Los Angeles region to protect its many level crossings. Though now considered to be antiques, in 2020 there were 33 wigwags active, almost all on branch lines. By law, these signals must be replaced by the now-standard alternating red lights when they are retired.[citation needed].[27] Some remain on heritage lines and in amusement parks.
United States Federal Railroad Administration regulations restrict trains to a maximum speed of 110 mph (177 km/h) at standard grade crossings. Crossings are permitted up to 125 mph (201 km/h) only if an "impenetrable barrier" is in place to block traffic when a train approaches. Crossings are prohibited at speeds in excess of 125 mph (201 km/h).[28]
A device called StopGate was installed at five locations — one in Madison, Wisconsin, another in Monroe, Wisconsin, another in Alabama, and two on a light rail system in Santa Clara, California.[citation needed] This system resembles a fortified version of a standard crossing gate, with two larger arms blocking the entire width of the roadway and locking into a securing device on the side of the road opposite the gate pivot mechanism. The gate arms are reinforced with high-strength steel cable, which helps the gate absorb the impact of a vehicle crashing into the gate. The manufacturer claims that the StopGate can stop a 2,000-kilogram (4,400 lb) truck within 13 feet (4.0 m).[citation needed] The system worked as intended at the Madison crossing, when the system stopped a truck while a Wisconsin and Southern Railroad train was in the crossing.[citation needed] This experiment ended due to many defects. They are now normal level crossings again, except for the Alabama crossing.
Another new type of barrier was tested in Michigan and was hoped to reduce drivers attempting to drive around lowered crossing gates. The devices are called delineators, consisting of a series of flexible bollards that rise vertically out of vertical tubes in the pavement when the crossing signal is activated. The delineators are designed so that they will not be broken and will not damage vehicles if they are hit, allowing vehicles to exit the level crossing if they are already within it when the gates are activated. The test period for the new barrier began on 5 December 2007, and ran for at least 17 months.[29][30][needs update]
In the United States and in countries following United States practices, a locomotive must have a bright headlight and ditch lights (two lights located below the headlight but above the pilot), a working bell, and a whistle or horn that must be sounded four times (long-long-short-long), similar to the signal for the International Morse Code letter "Q", as the train approaches the crossing. Oscillating lights such as Mars Lights as well as strobe beacons have also been used in the past to increase train visibility at level crossings, but both have mostly been replaced by the simpler ditch lights. [citation needed]
In the interest of noise abatement, some U.S. cities have passed laws prohibiting the sounding of bells and whistles. In December 2003, the Federal Railroad Administration published regulations that would create areas where train horns could be silenced, provided that certain safety measures were put in place, such as concrete barriers preventing drivers from circumventing the gates or automatic whistles (also called wayside horns) mounted at the crossing.[a] Trains would still sound their horns upon spotting a hazard, such as a pedestrian crossing in the path of the train.[31] Implementation of the new "Quiet Zone" Final Rule was delayed repeatedly, but was finally implemented in the summer of 2005. Rail "Quiet Zone" crossings still require bells as part of the AWDs, in addition to the wayside horns.[citation needed]
A Partial Quiet Zone is a rail segment on which Quiet Zone rules are in effect from 10 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. but train horns sound routinely during the day.[32]
The railroad crossings in Argentina are similar built to the American crossings, but widely is used with black parts. The crossbucks are used in white with red border that is similar to the Russian crossbucks, sometimes also only labeling "Ferrocarril" (railroad). Other variants have crossbucks in yellow or white with black lines. A stop sign is mounted that varies in different mountings, with a "stop" label translated often to Spanish, so then called "pare" translates to "stop". Most crossings uses the crossing information and telephone number that describes the crossing info at each ones, and sometimes a stop sign mounted frontly. The barriers are those similar to the old wooden Wishbone gates or Dutch barriers, in that they use white and red warning stripes to match the colors of the crossbuck. They also feature warning lights.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Brazil the those similar in United States, also features gates. The crossbucks are used in white, black or yellow with yellow, white or black text that reads "via cruzamento ferrea" (railway crossing), sometimes also uses a variant in yellow with black lines, and also uses the two more signs, that they are "pare olhe escute" (stop, look, listen) and "pare ao sinal vermelho" (stop at red signal). They also uses warning lights.[citation needed]
Chilian railway crossings are based on the designs of Spanish railway crossings, so they have two red flashing lights that alternate when the trains were approaching, barriers that lower when is activated and bells that ring until the barriers were raised up at the crossing. The crossbuck is used in yellow with black border and only labeling "Ferrocarril" (railroad). The equipment are used similar to the ones in America and Argentina, the newer equipment uses primarily the designs of railway crossings in Spain.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Colombia are much more similar to the US crossings, features two red lights, loud bells and barriers. The crossbucks uses the same design as in Chile, but it has a different shade of amber orange-yellow color. Older designs uses the white crossbucks with black lines. Crossings without gates uses the second crossbuck in current style with a stop sign below that says "PARE" (STOP), which is common to all Latin American countries including Brazil and Ecuador, if is without lights. The bells continues to sound until the barriers has been raised fully and the crossings stops to flash lights and sound bells when the barriers were up. Some crossings have manual swing gates.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Armenia follows the same practices used to the Russian and Georgian crossings and in neighbouring countries.
At most level crossings in the country, the stop sign is used in front of the stop line markings to indicate that the crossing should stop all drivers when trying to cross the crossing. The unprotected crossings may use the white light that flashes when the crossing is inactive. The crossbucks and a stop sign are useful at level crossings, but also at ungated ones, the stop sign may be removed if is not used at all. Many crossings over electrified railways have height restrictions due to the low cables, so as in the high-speed train lines. The bells continue to ring until the trains have been passed.[citation needed]
Level crossings in Azerbaijan are those similar to the Russian and other Post-Soviet crossings.
In gated crossings, the crossbucks and a stop sign are used to indicate the level crossing that should stop all vehicles when trying to cross the level crossing. In electrified railway lines, many level crossings uses the height limit signs upon mounted below the crossbucks to indicate that the crossings has low electrified wires.
In ungated crossings, the intermittent white light is used that remains inactive when the crossing is clear. The stop sign can be used as optional thing to the class of the level crossings and it is mounted in front of the stop line markings or below the lights.
In some private roads, the level crossings has to mark the crossing fully with a crossbuck mounted along with an optional stop sign. In activation of level crossings in Azerbaijan actives about 10 seconds until the gates lowered. In some cases, the bell continue to ring until the trains have been passed.[citation needed]
Bangla railroad crossings remain manually opened railway gates, and has two red lights in a rectangular backboard with a yellow border. Crossing guards are present at most railway crossings to signal the drivers to block the traffic from the level crossing when the trains were approaching. They also feature crossbucks in reddish orange with white inside it rather than in red, just matching the other road signs. Any type of level crossing is some of them does only resemble the crossbucks, and sometimes a stop sign mounted below that indicates the ungated crossing. Generally also follow manned and unmanned automated crossings that practices as in Bangladesh.[citation needed]
Following ongoing infrastructure improvements and refurbishment, level crossings with flashing lights and bells were introduced in 2015. Crossings that are manually operated sometimes have lights mounted on the barriers, sometimes also has single flashing lights with a solar panel that alternately flash when the crossing is activated.
The newly installed crossing equipment which was firstly introduced in Phnom Penh has double barriers and bells that continue to sound until the crossing gates are raised.[citation needed]
Chinese crossings have two versions of level crossing signals. The old design contains two red lights and at most crossings, a white light that remains lit when the crossing is clear, a white crossbuck, a white rectangular notice board and a white (or yellow) and (sometimes) black striped pole. The new signal design have two red light, sometimes no white light, yellow crossbuck, yellow rectangular notice board, and a yellow and black striped pole. Both designs have a crossbuck that translates to "Beware of Trains" (小心火车). The rectangular board translates to "stop at red light, signal unused if no light appear" (红灯停车，灭灯停用）for the new design，and "signal malfunctioned, watch for trains" (设备故障，注意火车) for the old design. Most crossings in China still uses the old crossing design. Level crossings in China use alarms rather than bells. Chinese level crossings alarms may vary from alarms that sound like bells to alarms that have human voices. Alarms vary from area to area.
Chinese level crossing uses roll-over barriers colored in black and white stripes, or lift-up barriers that are colored in black and white stripes. Some crossings in the Northeastern China uses red and white barriers and gates. Most crossings on major railway lines are manned, with a crossing operator operating the crossing. Automatic crossings only exists in rural areas for industrial lines. There were also existing on the suburban railway lines. There are half barriers in China, that occurs in the Northeastern China part.
Speed up campaigns have largely eliminated many crossings on heavily used trunk main lines though some still do exist. Most at-grade crossings in China are for smaller industrial spur and access lines which may or may not have crossing gates.[citation needed] There is a level crossing in Shui Nan Zhuang, Beijing (水南庄道口) that is on high-speed railway line.
Level crossings in Georgia are similar to the ones used in Russia and other Post-Soviet neighbours but except with some signals, crossbucks and gates are based on the designs used in Ghana and the Netherlands. The crossbucks that are only-red color is used more commonly, rather than just red with white inside it. A majority of level crossings actives about 10 seconds before the barriers come down and the bells stop. Some crossings have barriers that lower when activated and the bells continue to ring until the trains has passed. Some crossings are manually operated that can have additional bells, similar to that occurred in Romania, and a manual crank that must be cranked to come the barriers down and then stop.
Some crossings around Georgia uses the stop sign mounted in front of the stop line markings and on unprotected ones, the stop signs are mounted below the lights or in front of the stop line.[citation needed]
Most of Hong Kong's railway network is either underground or on elevated viaducts, meaning that level crossings are rare. However, level crossings continue to exist on the MTR Light Rail network, and one such level crossing was the site of a level crossing accident in 1994.[33]
However, most level crossings are removed due to the high risk accidents at level crossings.[citation needed]
A majority of the level crossings in India are manually operated.[34] Signals and barriers are installed at all crossings while manual crossings are additionally required to have the hand red and green signal lamps. Level crossing barriers have yellow and black arms with a bilingual stop sign placed in the middle. Indian Railways aims at elimination of all unmanned crossings and replacing them with manned crossings.[35]
Most level crossings in Indonesia have sirens. They also have two red lights (usually) and full barriers in red and white. Level crossings in Indonesia are not all officially operated by the Kereta Api Indonesia railway company; some crossings (usually in rural or village areas) are guarded by civilian volunteers, and are usually guarded 24 hours.[36] Crossings in cities and urban areas are fully operated by the railway company. Usually each level crossing has a small guard room to control the traffic and barriers at the crossing. Official crossings are marked by sirens and red-white (Indonesian flag–like) barriers.
Level crossings in Indonesia tend to be congested by traffic, thus they are not automatic like in Western countries, so level crossing watchmen are usually posted at every crossing; these are employees from the railway company. However, Indonesia plans to replace these crossings with automated crossings or overpasses in the aftermath of the 2013 Bintaro crash. The Ministry of Transportation bought 11 automated crossing barriers in 2015.[37]
At Yogyakarta station, there are still "rolling gates" in use but only opened for bikes and pedestrians.
Prior to 2013, there were few major accidents in crossings. On 9 December 2013, a Kereta Commuter Indonesia commuter train hit a Pertamina fuel truck stuck in Bintaro crossing (now replaced with a flyover), killing drivers (masinis) and passengers in the front car. On 6 December 2015, a MetroMini bus was hit by a commuter train in front of Angke station, killing only 18 bus passengers.[38] On 6 April 2018, a Sancaka train bound for Surabaya hit a container truck near Walikukun Station [id], Ngawi, killing the train driver.[39] On 26 July 2022, a Merak local train bound for Rangkasbitung hit an "odong-odong" in Serang, killing passengers and children in the front car.[40]
Due to the high death toll of train-versus-car accidents and severe traffic-jam impact, both local and national governments have started to remove level crossings, especially in Jakarta. Sometimes crossings are closed due to increase of headway, like the Jatinegara-Bekasi track revisions that left only three out of seven crossings open. Numerous underpasses and flyovers have been created, and later the nearby roads are closed; for example, the replacement of the 2013 crash site in Bintaro, South Jakarta with a flyover.[41] Crossings on national roads are permanently closed due to high traffic; for example, the Klonengan crossing in Brebes, located in the main access to Purwokerto city.[42]
Israeli level crossing
Java in particular had large sugar cane narrow gauge networks, with very little or no security. There are still some networks in use, especially at Jatiroto and Semboro, with primitive barriers, almost no lights, no bells, and no warning signs.
Israel generally follows United States practices, and much of the Israel Railways network employs American-made crossing warning equipment. The crossbucks used, however, are more similar to the Russian type. Most level crossings also have crossbucks with stop signs and railroad crossing warning signs with a additional plate below with two side arrows that indicates which directions of trains were approaching.
In 2017, Israel Railways reported a 22% increase in the incidents of barrier smashing during the summer months.[43]
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there are in total about 33,300 level crossings (踏切, fumikiri) in Japan as of 2016.[44] These are easily identifiable with their yellow and black crossbucks mounted adjacent to the crossing, and newer crossings are often paved in green asphalt for easy recognition. Most of these are protected with electronic signals (踏切警報機, fumikiri keihouki) usually equipped with alternating flashing red lights and yellow-and-black-striped barriers. Many signals are also equipped with signs with red LED arrows that indicate the direction in which approaching trains are moving. Both arrows are lit if there is a train approaching from each side.
Similarly to school buses in the United States, but unlike many other countries, all cars and bicycles must stop before proceeding over any level crossing in Japan, regardless of whether there are electronic signals, as required by the Road Traffic Act. The only exception is if the crossing is additionally controlled by a traffic light, called a fumikiri shingo (踏切信号); in this case, if the light is green, it is not necessary to stop at the level crossing.[45][failed verification]
On some busy rail lines, especially in urban areas like in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, so many trains pass through some level crossings that they are almost always closed to vehicular traffic. In some cases, such as the Chūō Main Line, more than 50 trains pass in an hour, which equates to only two minutes in which vehicles can cross the tracks during that interval, causing serious traffic congestion and inconvenience. Many such crossings, known in Japanese as akazu no fumikiri (開かずの踏切), have been eliminated by grade separating rail lines, generally by moving them onto viaducts (高架化 (kouka-ka)) or underground tracks (地下化 (chika-ka)).
Level crossings in Kazakhstan has equipment similar those in Russia and Kyrgyzstan, features two red lights. Most crossings has stop signs with a stop line sign (both Kazakh and English), and it uses the crossing detector system to fully block traffic to prevent that the trains are approaching. Some crossings also has a camera mounted above the tracks by protecting the security from the crossing to watch the traffic such as accidents or breaking the rules. Many crossings over accidents may have been replaced by bridges or underpasses. On electrified railway lines, many crossings have to use the height limit signs to warn drivers that they have low electric cables on the railway line.
Some crossings also been recently released uses upgraded light system that are similar to the Latvian ones, and the bells will continue if more than one train is approaching, and the bells will be faster if the crossing has two or more approaching trains.[citation needed]
Kyrgyz crossings have barriers, lights and bells similar to the Russian crossings. Level crossings uses stop signs with crossbucks that is mounted more frontly than the others. Some crossings are unguarded such as the lines to Osh and Jalal Abad, and can have a white light that flashes when the crossing is clear if there are no trains approaching.{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
Level crossings are largely manually operated, where the barriers are lowered using a manual switch when trains approach. A significant number of crossings are without barriers. Railway electrification in Malaysia has gradually eliminated level crossings in Peninsular Malaysia, replacing those along nearly all upgraded lines with large overhead viaducts or deep tunnels, and simply cutting off non-essential crossings outright. There are still many level crossings on the Johor Bahru-Gemas-Tumpat stretch, as well as on the line between Port Klang - Westport (Pulau Indah), as electrification has yet to be extended to these routes.[citation needed]
In Mongolia, level crossings are much similar to the ones used in Russia; featuring loud audible bells that continues to ring after the gates have been lowered and road barriers that rise to fully stop traffic.
In addition, voice alarms have been installed to deter stopped drivers from moving until the train(s) have passed.[citation needed]
Myanmar level crossings follow the practices of level crossings in Japan. Therefore, crossings gates and lights have the same characteristics and functions of Japanese crossings with indicators of which direction the trains are heading. Other crossings around Myanmar still remain manually operated but have warning lights and bells.[citation needed]
Due to lack of information coming out of this country, it is rather hard to tell what North Korea's crossings are like. What we do that most crossings has a manual barrier, lights and bells that ring. From a video by vice(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNVCdL908ko at 03:32), on YouTube, where motorcyclists travel across North Korea. It is shown that some crossings use Russian equipment (lights and sound) while other also use a manual barrier, likely with flashing lights and a bell made in the country (https://www.m1key.me/photography/road_to_north_korea/ The photo is third from the bottom).[citation needed]
Most level crossings in Pakistan feature manually controlled swinging gates. Crossing keepers may allow emergency vehicles such as ambulances to pass through the closed gates during emergencies.
Recently, new crossing lights have been installed which flash after the gates have been closed with some having a third light. Other crossings have recently installed lights similar to the ones used in China, featuring a non-flashing yellow light and two red lights. The red lights flash when the gates are closing. After closing, the lights stay lit until the train is cleared of the crossing, flashing again as the gates reopen. These lights also have a 2nd train sign that turns on if another train is approaching. The barriers are used in half-length built replacing the older swing gates. [citation needed]
Philippines railroad crossings have two red lights that alternate when it's activated. Most level crossings have three circular signs similar to the ones to the shape of prohibition signs, with text on them saying "Stop", "Look" and "Listen". Level crossing barriers are used longer to block the full traffic when trying to pass the barriers. Level crossings are equipped with alarms and bells with a red light that flash when is activated. They are equipped also with overhead signs with a yellow US crossbuck that is used similarly to the only ungated crossings in Botswana, with three signs that are much shaped like stop signs, but with different colours and text that says perfectly with the colours of the stop signs "STOP" on red, "LOOK" on blue and "LISTEN" on green.[citation needed]
Saudi Arabia uses crossing gates with two red lights that remain lit when active. These gates are similar to the ones in the US but also utilize crossing arms and bells that are used in Germany. Yellow target boards featuring a US style crossbuck are used, as old red and white crossbucks are being phased out.[citation needed]
The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway in Singapore had five level crossings: Gombak, Bukit Panjang, Stagmont Ring, Mandai and Kranji. All were manually operated by KTM railway staff. The crossings at Gombak Drive and Kranji Road featured gates, while the other three crossings utilized traffic lights with half-barriers. The level crossings were removed in 2011 within the relocation of KTM terminus.
Even without the relocation of KTM terminus to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, level crossings were made redundant with the electrification and double-tracking of the line utilizing overhead railways and to improve traffic speeds and travel time at these roads. Underpasses will be a substitute as a result. Only trams will then be permitted to have any level crossings, but it is rare.
Level crossings in South Korea uses two red lights, gates and bells which are based on Japanese crossing designs. Many level crossings uses the arrow lights that identifies the direction of trains, a stop light displays "stop" in Korean, and an additional voice alarm that warns that the trains were approaching. The cantilever lights does not flash immediately when is active. Also, in addition, a small flashing red light indicates that the crossing is working. The bells continue to ring until the trains have passed.[citation needed]
Most level crossings in Sri Lanka have two lights that flash slowly. Some crossings don't have lights but still have bells and gates. The bells are used similarly to in Sweden and Norway, and it continues to sound when the gates are lowered. New crossing lights have a third light that works similar to those in China and Pakistan; remaining lit when the crossing is clear.[citation needed]
In Syria, gates and lights used at level crossings are identical to the ones used in Romania but follows similar design practices that is used in Germany. Both sides of the road has warning lights and gates that fully blocks traffic when lowered. Crossbucks are mounted between the flashing lights and the bells continue to ring when active.[citation needed]
As most railways in Taiwan were built during Japanese administration, railway level crossings remain very common and generally built to the same design as Japan, though many urban crossings have been eliminated when the railroads have been moved underground, e.g. segments of the West Coast Line in Taipei City and Kaohsiung City, or moved elevated, or has converted to cubic crossing with road, or abolished, e.g. the former TRA Tamsui Line that is now the Taipei MetroTamsui Line without any level crossings.
Pointing to these eliminations, almost all "cable-railroad-crossings" have disappeared (instead of barriers, cables descended over the road). Only in Nan'ao Township, Xincheng Township, and in Chiayi would there still be any (and on sugar cane railways).
The Act Governing the Punishment of Violation of Road Traffic Regulations (Annotated Republic of China Laws/Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) prescribes fines for drivers and pedestrians who commit certain classes of violations in regards to level crossings; these include disobeying flagmen, insisting to cross while a crossing's signals are active or when the gate is being lowered, crossing a passive crossing without stopping beforehand, and overtaking, making a U-turn, backing up, stopping or parking on a railway level crossing in a vehicle. Pedestrians can be fined 2,400 new Taiwan dollars for a violation, drivers of non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles can be fined between 1,200 and 2,400 dollars, and drivers of motor vehicles can be fined up to 15,000 to 90,000 new Taiwan dollars for a violation. If an accident occurs, the driver's license can also be revoked for a minimum of six years, and drivers can also face legal responsibility and compensation of damages.
Accidents at railway level crossings remain a very serious concern, such as when a truck entered a level crossing and collided with the Taroko Express in Jan 17, 2012. The Taiwan Railway Administration alone has hundreds of level crossings along its routes of slightly more than 1,100 kilometres (680 mi). On average, there is a level crossing each 2 kilometres (1.2 mi).[46][47] An emergency button is installed on every level crossing in the country, allowing members of the public to report emergencies at a crossing to authorities, such as stalled vehicles or other obstacles.[48]
Taiwan once had many narrow gauge lines, mainly for sugar cane transport, but also for passengers. Of the 3000 km. is now only 20 km. in use, at Huwei. In this city are still "cable-railroad-crossings" in use.
Level crossings in Tajikistan are similar to ones utilized in Russia, Ukraine and in Mongolia. Most crossings feature warning lights at railroad crossing ahead signs and the gates are surrounded with barriers to prevent drivers from going around the tracks.[citation needed]
Thailand crossings have two flashing lights that slowly flash, and are also equipped with alarms and bells. Each crossing that has gates has two yellow-orange strobe lights for better visibility when the gates are active. Most crossings have large flexible gates that fully block traffic from going around but other locations may use shorter gate arms. At many locations, the bells continues to sound for the duration of the gates being closed but at other crossings, the bells only sounds when the gates are closing and opening.
As of 2016, the Thai rail network has 2,624 level crossings nationwide. Many have no crossing barriers, making them frequent sites of accidents. Some level crossings are manually operated, where the barriers are lowered using a manual switch when trains approach. There were/are still "roller-gates" in use, but these are increasingly being replaced by heavy barriers. Sometimes they are still available as a reserve. Previously there were also a system where a cable came down the road, with red and white signs on it.[citation needed]
Turkmen railroad crossings are similar those used in Russia and Kazakhstan, featuring barriers and bells. Most crossings uses crossbucks with stop signs mounted frontly in close distance to a level crossing, and stop line sign mounted a bit closer to a level crossing. The level crossings alerts about 10-15 seconds until the barriers started to lower and the bells continue to ring until the barriers raised up fully. Most unprotected crossings uses a white light that flashes when the crossing is inactive. Some crossings have bells that stops to sound when the barriers were lowered fully.[citation needed]
The United Arab Emirates uses crossings that are much more similar to those in the United States and Saudi Arabia, but like in Saudi Arabia, these lights stay lit rather than flashing. UAE crossings have railroad crossing signs on black target boards.[citation needed]
The Uzbek railway crossings are similar to the Russian crossings, as following the equipment similarly used. Most crossings uses automated obstacle block units at railroad crossings, as the warning sign is used the same, and features bells and alarms that varies differently, have audible alarms similar in that of a car alarm. Some crossings also have stop signs and at ungated ones, a usual intermittent white light that flashes when the crossing is remaining clear and the device is working.[citation needed]
Vietnamese guarded railroad crossing in Hải Dương province
All railroad crossing signs in Vietnam are based on the Russian Federation crossing signs with white crossbuck and red border (St. Andrew crossbuck), crossing each other at a 45-degree angle.
Devices and signaling arranged at horizontal lines
Guarded crossroads: barrier or shields, signal lights, electric bells, signboards, marker poles, fences, road markings on roads, railroad roadside signals (if any), and other signaling devices when permitted by competent authorities;
Automatic warning crossings: signal lights, electric bells, signboards, marker posts or fences, with or without automatic barrier, road markings on road, and other signaling devices when possible authorized level;
Roads across the crossing: signboards, marker posts or fences, road markings, and other signaling devices when so permitted by competent authorities.
Vietnamese railroad crossing signals with lights & gates, and a 'stop, look for trains before crossing the track' sign belowSignal and equipment systems arranged at crossroads to ensure traffic safety and prevent accidents. All organizations and individuals must be responsible for protecting, not arbitrarily moving, appropriating, damaging or reducing the effectiveness and effect of the systems.[49]
In Vietnam, there are still "roller~barriers/gates" in use, either electric or manual.
An extremely long level crossing is in Ho Chi Minh City, near Gò Vấp station, crossing Phạm Văn Đồng Street.[50] The track crosses about twelve carriageways. There are 8 barriers and 2 very long roller-barriers/gates that must be pushed into place.
Level crossing in PerthA railway crossing in Torbanlea, Queensland, AustraliaLevel crossing in Melbourne
Australian railways generally follow United States practices, and they have increasingly been employing American-made crossing warning equipment, such as level crossing predictors, which are able to provide a consistent amount of warning time for trains of widely varying speeds. There are many different types of rail crossings in Australia; railways that run through rural areas often do not have barriers or even lights/bells to warn of incoming trains, while urban crossings will either have lights and bells or lights, bells, and boom gates.
In Melbourne, there are two level crossings where electrified train tracks cross roads with electrified tram tracks. One at Riversdale and one and Kooyong, These crossings are fitted with equipment to change the voltage supplied to the overhead wiring depending on the vehicle using the crossing, and trains are severely speed-limited across these intersections. Due partly to this complication, as well as deaths, accidents and traffic problems at level crossings, the Victorian Government under former premier Daniel Andrews started the Level Crossing Removal Project in 2015 with the aim of removing 50 level crossings, which was later extended to 110.
All cases where a train line crosses a road are classified as level crossings whether or not they are signed. A tram track in its own right-of-way crossing a road can also be classified as a level crossing if it is signed with a crossbuck reading either "tramway crossing" or "railway crossing". Otherwise, it is considered a regular intersection and usually has either traffic lights or a give-way sign facing the road (see Gallery).
Some innovations in Australia are crossbucks with a pair of flashing yellow lights at about 200 metres (660 ft) before the level crossing, called advance active warning signals (AAWS). This is done particularly where there are curves and other visibility problems on the road. AAWS are used where road speeds are high, and braking distances are extended, or where the level crossing is obscured by blind curves or sunlight. Another innovation is to transmit level crossing warning signals by radio into the cabin of nearby vehicles. This is useful at passive crossings, which are not fitted with flashing lights.[51][52]
In areas subject to the Advanced Train Management System (ATMS), level crossings are controlled by satellite downlinks, and supervised by satellite uplinks.
Australia also has about 4000 km of sugar-cane narrow-gauge railroads. Many level crossings on these lines are protected with the regular red railroad warning lights and crossbucks, often supplemented by a red flashing light on top of the pole. Level crossings with barriers are very rare.
There were (in 2012) 1330 public road level crossings in New Zealand, of which 275 crossings are 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.[53]
On the Taieri Gorge Railway in rural South Island, roads and railways share the same bridge when crossing a river, with the rail line in the road. Motorists, as well as giving way to oncoming traffic if required (the bridges have one lane) must ensure that the bridge is clear of a train, end to end, before starting to cross the bridge. For safety, trains are limited to 10 km/h (6 mph) while crossing the bridges.
In many parts of New Zealand, railway lines run parallel to and close (within 10–15 metres [33–49 ft]) to roads. Many level crossing accidents have been caused by drivers turning right into side roads crossing the railway line concentrating on finding a suitable gap in oncoming traffic so that they fail to check the railway line or notice the activated level crossing alarms until it is too late to stop. An accident of this type occurred in August 1993 at Rolleston, near Christchurch, when a cement mixer truck turned right off State Highway 1 and collided with the side of a southbound Southerner passenger train, ripping open two carriages. The accident resulted in three deaths, including the sister of New Zealand international cricketer Chris Cairns.[54]
Near-misses are common in Auckland and Wellington where there are frequent commuter trains on double-tracks where a train may be followed by another train in the opposite direction (sometimes a non-stop freight train).[55][56][57]
In 2019, KiwiRail changed the rate of flashing lights at level crossings from 85 fpm (flashes per minute) to the standard laid down by the "American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association" of 50 fpm so that a new order for level crossing equipment did not have non-standard requirements.[58] In 2019 KiwiRAil also said that it would install "half Crosses" at level crossings to reduce the number of "near misses".[59]
^"輸送の安全にかかわる施設等に関する事項"(PDF). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Archived from the original(PDF) on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
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