Utrecht, Netherlands: Second time lucky for co-acting barrier solution

Back in November 2009, ProRail the Dutch national rail infrastructure manager had to postpone the launch event to mark the introduction of the Mebala co-acting barriers at private level crossings (LXinfo December 2009). Now, the technical issues have been resolved and the system was successfully launched on March 19th, 2010.

The co-acting barriers replace free-standing gates on each side of the railway which, if used correctly, require a person taking a vehicle across to cross the railway five times; twice to open the gates, once to drive the vehicle across and then twice to close the gates. Thus Mebala reduces the number of transits to one which is clearly a much safer option for private level crossings.

ProRail’s Mebala level crossing is also equipped with solar powered LED lights which better warn users of the position of the level crossing at night and when visibility is restricted.

Mebala is still a passive safety system as it provides no warning of an approaching train, detection of which is down to the eyes and ear of the user.

The first Mebala equipped level crossing to be taken into service is at a private level crossing near Lunteren, Gelderland.

Wilmerding, Pennsylvania: Wabtec acquires Xorail for US$40m

Wabtec Corporation has acquired Xorail LLC, a leading provider of signal engineering and design services, for US$40m in cash. The company is based in Jacksonville, Florida, and has annual sales of about US$40m.

Xorail provides a variety of engineering, design and construction services, mainly for railway signalling systems. These services include level crossing warning systems, design solutions for wayside signalling, positive train control systems, site surveys, systems integration, and field construction and installation of wayside equipment. Xorail's customers include Class I railroads and passenger transit authorities in North America. The company was founded in 1990 as Southwest Signal Engineering Company, and now has ten satellite offices throughout North America with about 275 employees. Kash Krishnarao, president of Xorail, will remain with the company.

"Xorail's engineering and wayside capabilities are a good fit with our existing railway electronics business," said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec's President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, these capabilities position Wabtec for a larger role as the rail industry implements positive train control technology over the next several years."

United Kingdom: OFCOM consults on level crossing radar sensor systems

OFCOM, the UK communications regulator has initiated a consultation on proposed liberalisation of the licence exemption for wireless telegraphy devices. Level crossing radar sensor systems are included in OFCOM’s proposals now the subject of consultation. A prototype radar-based system was installed at Filey, North Yorkshire, in 2009 (LXinfo March and July 2009).

The proposal relating to level crossings relates to the use of radar for obstacle detection in the 24.100 to 24.350 GHz frequency band subject to a maximum output of 500 milliwatts. OCOM is proposing that the exemption is restricted by the inclusion of six 20 kilometre exclusion zones around radio astronomy sites at Jodrell Bank (grid reference SJ 79650 50950) Cambridge (TL 39400 54000), Defford (SO 90200 44700), Darnhall (SJ 64275 62265), Knockin (SJ 32855 21880) and Pickmere (SJ 70404 76945)

Consultation closes on May 7th, 2010