In a novel twist, Union Pacific (UP) deployed “Santa’s helpers” to reward motorists using level crossings properly. The initiative involved “Santa’s helpers” observing motorists behaviour at level crossings and then thanking those who stopped at the crossings and did not attempt to run the red light or beat the barriers with tickets to see a movie.

The initiative enabled UP to get across the need to act responsibly around the railway during the Christmas – New Year holidays

in a fun way using volunteers including locomotive drivers and conductors engaging within a community served by UP. Why, because "During the holidays, we frequently see an increase in crossing accidents as motorists rush to do their shopping or hurry to parties," said UP’s Sam Stephenson.

(December 23rd, 2008)

The European “Awareness Day at Level Crossings” task force has agreed that June 25th, 2009 will be the first level crossing awareness day to be organised on a pan-European basis. The key message for this event in 2009 is “STOP accidents! Europe for safer Level Crossings”; which will be linked to each of the national campaigns and initiatives of those organisations participating.

The European Level Crossing Forum (LXinfo December 2008) has established a working group chaired by Simon Fletcher of the UIC (International Union of Railways) which met on December 10th, 2008 with representation for road and rail sectors and the European Commission’s DG TREN. This group will be looking to get on-board as many partners for the awareness raising day as is possible. The idea is that each of the nationally based activities links its messages to the common European theme for the day. There will be a European brand identity and core messages for use by national partners.

The working group also offered UIC support for UIC signing the European Road Safety Charter on behalf of the rail sector to make clear there is rail support for reductions in road safety risk that will reduce road fatalities by 50%. Getting the road safety professionals and European institutions on-board with the June 25th, 2009 awareness day is an important step in getting the level crossing issue from being seen as rail’s alone to a shared road and rail objective.

The next meeting of the working group will be held on March 26th, 2009 in the Brussels office of UIC. Further information is available from Simon Fletcher at fletcher@uic.asso.fr

(December 19th, 2008)

Newcastle, United Kingdom: Metro debuts photo-enforcement

Tyne & Wear Metro has installed red-light safety cameras at its Callerton Parkway level crossing in Newcastle, United Kingdom to increase the pressure on motorists who risk their lives and those on the trains by driving through red “stop” lights and thus violating the law.

The safety cameras have been fitted at Callerton Parkway because it accounts for almost half of the 52 road traffic incidents at Metro’s five level crossings in the past year.

The images obtained from the cameras will be used by Northumbria Police to prosecute drivers who flout the law and run the red lights.

Tyne & Wear Metro has confirmed that there are no plans to install barriers at any of the active open level crossings on its system.  This is because a detailed review has concluded that enforcement cameras offer the most efficient and effective deterrent to vehicles crossing signals at danger. Northumbria Police and the Northumbria Safer Road Initiative both recognise the need for deterrent measures and the benefit of the cameras at the Callerton Parkway level crossing.

All five level crossings on Tyne & Wear Metro’s infrastructure have clear signs, lights and alarms to warn motorists that a train is approaching. In addition the road across the Callerton Parkway level crossing has substantial median strips installed. To see the level crossing in context on Google Earth™, go to 55° 01’ 41.73” N / 01° 42’ 14.28” W.

The red-light cameras installed at Callerton Parkway, which have a cost GB£60,000, have been approved by Britain’s Home Office for use on highways and at railway level crossings.  Using loops under the road, the cameras take two photographs for evidence.  Red-light jumping is an endorsable offence, carrying a minimum of three penalty points (twelve needed for disqualification and a GB£60 fine. 

Raymond King, Project Manager for the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative:  “It is important that people recognise the danger of taking stupid risks, such as jumping red-light crossings.  We hope that the cameras will deter people from jumping red–lights and welcome using technology in new ways to improve safety on our roads.  Ultimately this is about ensuring everyone’s safety, whether a car user or someone using public transport”.  

Once the cameras are installed they will become the property of the Northumbria Safer Road Initiative, who will maintain them and process offences.

Although the number of collisions at Callerton Parkway remains low, the most recent happened in March 2007, the potential for a fatal accident is clearly present when red-lights are passed.

Estonia’s Operation Lifesaver secured air-time for a special public service announcement (PSA) over the Christmas period. The PSA featured Kaspar, an eight-year-old whose parents both work in the railway industry.

In Estonian, Kaspar reminds you to “Vaata, Kuula je ela!”; in other words “Look, Listen and Live!”, the rubric of the worldwide Operation Lifesaver movement.

To view the PSA, visit: http://www.operationlifesaver.eu/ee/en/?id=15186

(December 12th, 2008)

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) announced on December 11th, 2008 that they are joining forces to promote safety at level crossings, ATA chairman, Trevor Martyn and ARA Chief Executive, Bryan Nye said.

The ARA has contributed AU$65,000 to fund a display that will educate industry and communities about safety on railway level crossings. The display will form part of the ATA’s travelling exhibition trailer, the Road Ahead.

The Road Ahead is a state-of-the-art semi-trailer filled with interactive displays about road safety and the trucking industry. The trailer was launched in May 2008 and since then it has attracted 18,000 visitors from schools and communities all over Australia.

Mr Martyn said the ATA and ARA see the promotion of level crossing safety as a crucial message that needs to be heard by all road users and pedestrians.

“We will be working together to make sure that truck drivers, motorists, pedestrians and school children all understand the importance of level crossing safety as the exhibition trailer continues to tour throughout 2009 and beyond, Mr Martyn said.

“The display will highlight the simple rules that motorists and truck drivers can follow to protect their safety at level crossings” Mr Martyn said.

Mr Martyn also said that in addition to driver education, the road and rail sectors would continue to press [state] governments to upgrade thousands of levels crossings.

“Upgrades could include the installation of rumble strips and reducing signage clutter so the key safety warnings stand out, improving lines of sight by removing trees and other obstacles and installing active protections like flashing lights and boom gates on high risk crossings,” said Mr Martyn.

Chief Executive Officer of the ARA, Bryan Nye, thanked the ATA for the opportunity to work collaboratively on improving level crossing education adding “Level crossing safety is the rail industry’s highest safety priority. I believe this opportunity with the ATA is a positive step forward that will have wide-reaching benefits”.

Mr Nye said, “Whilst we may disagree on some transport issues, improving level crossing safety throughout Australia is a common goal for the rail and trucking industries”.

“I look forward to working with the ATA to boost level crossing safety around Australia and seeing this level crossing project come to life,” Mr Nye concluded.

(December 11th, 2008)