A woman was killed on a level crossing in Saint-Gregoire, near Rennes when the car in which she was travelling was struck by two trains. The level crossing in question is active and is protected by both lights and barriers. However, preliminary investigations have not determined whether the motorist had stopped on the level crossing intentionally or whether the death was accidental. Early indications are that the level crossing was functioning correctly at the time of the accident.

(June 28th, 2011)

A motorist was seriously injured when the vehicle in which he was travelling rolled-over several times as a result of being hit by a train. The accident occurred at a level crossing on the road linking Neu-Häsen und Neulöwenberg, Landkreis Oberhavel. The accident occurred at 16.30 on June 27th, 2011.

(June 27th, 2011)

The railway through Husum, Landkreis Nordfriesland, was closed for an extended period following a collision between a train and a car on the Hörn level crossing. The collision which occurred at 16.32 on June 24th, 2011 led to a bus service replacing trains.

The crossing at which the collision occurred was at the time protected by a crossing keeper who was deploying a temporary red and white barrier tape which, the attendant said, had been blown away three times due to the wind.

The motorist who was shaken but not physically injured in the collision was adamant that the crossing was unprotected at the time of the accident. Now, investigators are seeking to establish why, if the barrier tape was not in position, the attendant did not intervene to stop road traffic.

(June 25th, 2011)

Of the three priority level crossings in the Côte-d'Or, improvements are to be made at the level crossings in Brétigny and Longvic. However, that in Ruffey les Echirey is to be eliminated at a cost of EUR 8.275 million. The solution will be a new road-over-rail bridge on a new road linking Departmental Highways 28 and 104. Costs will be shared between the Département (50%), RFF, the French national rail infrastructure manager (25%) and the State (25%).

(June 25th, 2011)

After many months of misery for pedestrians caused by defective pedestrian wicket gates at the level crossing on the A10 in Foxton, Cambridgeshire; Network Rail has begun work to install new pedestrian gates.

The spring-loaded wicket gates on both sides of the A10 trunk road, which lock electronically to prevent people crossing when trains are approaching, have not worked intermittently since December 2010. When the wicket gates are not working, pedestrians have to cross the railway by walking in the vehicle carriageway with the risks to their safety that this entails.

Regular pedestrian users of the A10 have expressed concern that Network Rail is not intending to provide staff to assist them at all times during the ten days it will take to install new gates.

(June 24th, 2011)

Agreement has been reached between RFI, the Italian national rail infrastructure manager, and the Province of Novara to construct overpasses to replace level crossings in the municipalities of Morno and Nibbiola. A key benefit of the grade-separation projects is said to be a substantial reduction in road traffic congestion.

The origin of the projects goes back to February 2008 when a high-level agreement with the regional, provincial and municipal authorities was reached with a total funding obligation of EUR 31 million of which the Province of Novara was obligated to contribute EUR 2.582 million. However, the project has not to date proceeded because of the need to agree a mechanism to transfer funding to RFI.

Now EUR 0.980 million is to be drawn-down to facilitate the elimination of level crossings in Morno and Nibbiola with the balance to be funded by RFI. Work is expected to begin in 2012.

(June 24th, 2011)

A truck driver who ignored the stop lights and crashed through a barrier at the Boldon Lane CCTV equipped level crossing in South Shields failed to stop after the incident. As a result the truck driver ended up in court where the prosecution made use of the CCTV images to support their case. The truck driver who lived locally was convicted of dangerous driving and sentenced to the loss of his driving licence for 12 months,  180 hours’ unpaid work and was made subject ta 12 month community order. The truck driver has lost his job as a result of this offence.

(June 24th, 2011)

The British Transport Police has released images of two females, one pushing a pram, risking their lives at a level crossing in Nottingham. The images were captured by a forward-facing camera on the train which nearly stuck the women on Trent Lane crossing in the Sneinton area of Nottingham at 15.00 on May 14th, 2011.

Inspector Mark Clements, of BTP said: “The women dodged under the barriers to nip across the track in front of the on-coming train. It’s quite unbelievable that one of them was pushing a pram with a small child in it. This is not only irresponsible, but could have had fatal consequences”.
BTP is appealing for anyone who may recognise the women pictured to contact them on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident 315 of May 14th, 2011.

(June 23rd, 2011)

Nottingham, crossing misuse, source BTP

A 13-year-old was killed when the car in which shy the driver of the vehicle in which the deceased hae was travelling was hit by a train on the Montelarreina automatic half-barrier crossing in Toro, Zamora. Additionally, family members travelling in the same vehicle were injured. The victim’s grandfather who was travelling in a following car was treated for an anxiety attack, a function of having witnessed the fatal accident which occurred at approximately14.50 on June 18th, 2011.

Railway sources have said that the crossing was operating correctly at the time of the accident. Accordingly, this accident has been attributed to misuse of the crossing by the driver of the vehicle in which the deceased was travelling.

(June 22nd, 2011)

Network Rail, the national rail infrastructure manager in Great Britain has confirmed that funds have been secured for an upgrade to the Tide Mills level crossing in Seaford, Sussex. These funds will be used to install extra-wide self-closing gates being installed to facilitate use of the level crossing by the mobility impaired and those with prams and baby buggies.

The Tide Mills crossing has been the location of a series of near-miss incidents in recent years which has led to fencing being installed to channel crossing users to shorten the level crossing and create a decision point nearer the railway than has historically been the case.

(June 22nd, 2011)

ProRail, the Dutch national rail infrastructure manager has launched a new sign to promote safe behaviours at level crossings. The sign which reads “Wil je blijven leven wacht dan even” means “if you want to live just wait”. The primary audience is pedestrians, particularly students, and therefore the signs are being installed on a targeted basis across the country where misuse is known to occur.

ProRail is providing municipalities with two of the signs with additional signs available at cost. In Groningen, for example, signs are being installed at the Peizerweg, Paterswoldseweg and Esperanto level crossings, all of which are heavily used by young people. The use of these crossings is also subject to random supervision by ProRail’s special investigators (BOAs)

In parallel to the launch of the signs in Groningen they have also been launched in Arnhem, Breda, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

(June 21st, 2011)

(June 21st, 2011)

The active open level crossing giving access to the Vattenfall industrial plant in Boländerna, Uppsala has to be upgraded. The call for the installation of barriers at this level crossing comes from the Arbetsmiljöverket (workplace safety authority) which considers that the risk of an accident is unacceptably high.
The Arbetsmiljöverket’s position is that barriers have to be installed by October 3rd, 2011 and that if trains operate after this date before remedial action is taken, the train operator faces a fine of SKR 0.25 million.

The level crossing in question has a history of incidents, with ten being recorded over the 2010-2011 winter period. These incidents overlay several incidents where a collision has occurred, fortunately without serious injury.

The locus for the Arbetsmiljöverket action appears to be that the train driver’s visibility of the level crossing is deficient, that the crossing in question is the responsibility of a private company and that all train movements constitute work associated with the Vattenfall industrial complex. It is possible that the jurisdiction of the Arbetsmiljöverket in this matter will be challenged on the basis that it is the transport safety authority

(Transportstyrelsen) rather than the workforce safety authority is the party able to take enforcement action.

(June 20th, 2011)

Three men were killed when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a train on a level crossing in Iasi. This accident occurred on an active open level crossing when the lights and audible alarms have been determined to have been working correctly. Witness reports indicate that the driver of the car did not slow for the level crossing leading to a suggestion that the motorist did not see the lights because of him being fatigued.

(June 20th, 2011)

An abandoned car was struck by a train on a level crossing near Meigh, County Armagh, causing suspension of the international train service between Dublin and Belfast. The car which was hit at approximately 06.30 on June 20th, 2011, is understood to have been stolen.

(June 20th, 2011)

(June 18th, 2011)

Official sources have confirmed that the Montelarreina automatic half-barrier level crossing on which five persons were injured, one fatally, was functional at the time of the accident. The accident occurred on a crossing in Toro, Zamora, at approximately 14.50 on June 18th, 2011. A preliminary investigation has not definitively determined the cause of the accident.

(June 18th, 2011)

Dundee East’s Member of Parliament, Stewart Hosie, has responded with surprise to British Transport Police (BTP) figures showing that misuse of a level crossing in Brought Ferry (LXinfo May 2011) is endemic. Despite an on-going safety awareness campaign, BTP has, in the last two months, detected 46 motorists jumping the red lights at the Gray Street level crossing. Of the offences detected 31 have so far been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for prosecution.

(June 17th, 2011)

British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail joined forces at a number of nationwide level crossing awareness drives as part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) on June 9th, 2011.

BTP detected and charged 113 people with level crossing misuse during operations to support ILCAD across the length and breadth of the country.

Chief Superintendent (Territorial Policing) Eamonn Carroll of BTP said: “Our officers and community safety staff from Network Rail handed out thousands of advisory leaflets at crossing across the country and, without exception drivers were extremely supportive of this initiative. These operations will carry on throughout year and we will continue to reinforce the message that crossings can be used safely.

“Sadly, there remains a hard core of drivers that think it is clever to risk not only their own life, but those of others, to save a few seconds. Be assured that anyone detected misusing a crossing anywhere in the country will face prosecution.”

Network Rail also revealed that the first of its purpose-built camera vans, resourced by BTP officers, and utilising state-of-the-art equipment, has led to the prosecution of 1,131 people in the first three-months of operation in the south of England.

(June 16th, 2011)

A study has been launched to determine if the Avenue de la Côte d'Argent level crossing in Teich can be eliminated. His level crossing has been designated s higher risk and a priority for attention. A particular factor is that the road runs at a tangent for a considerable distance leading to vehicular traffic running at a higher speed. The cost of elimination has been provisionally estimated to be in the region of EUR 8.0 million.

(June 16th, 2011)

Residents of Cameno, Briviesca, are protesting at the loss of “their” open level crossing of the Madrid – Hendaye conventional main line. Residents maintain that the crossing was closed without notice despite it being the primary access to farm land. Now vehicular access is barred by a concrete barrier; forcing farmers into a 10 kilometre-long diversion. A shorter route exists but is not favoured because the Quintanillabón passive level crossing is considered to be dangerous.

Although the now closed level crossing has been the location of two fatal accidents, those affected by the closure that it is incumbent on the railway and local authorities to retain the right-of-way over the railway in Cameno until such time as a viable, safer, alternative route across the railway is provided. While an underpass remains a prospect, the argument is that the provision of this is a condition precedent to the closure of “their” level crossing.

Administratively, the issue is that both the town and ADIF, the Spanish national rail infrastructure manager believe they are waiting form the other before any progress can be made towards the provision of a fully-functioning grade-separated replacement of the now closed level crossing.

(June 16th, 2011)

A local resident was killed instantly when she was hit by a train on the level crossing in Gages, near Aveyron. The accident which occurred at approximately 17.00 on June 16th, 2011 was a consequence of the female pedestrian ignoring the active controls protecting the level crossing. Preliminary testing undertaken by RFF, the French national rail infrastructure manager, has confirmed that the level crossing controls were functioning correctly at the time of the accident.

(June 16th, 2011)

A Royal Decree authorising the removal of level crossing 86 of the Bruges – Kortrijk railway in Roeselare was made on June 11th, 2011. The solution adopted following a public inquiry is for the traffic presently using level crossing 86 to be diverted over existing highway infrastructure and level crossing 82.

(June 11th, 2011)

The collision between a train and a truck on a level crossing in Diavata, Thessaloniki, on June 10th, 2011 did not result in anyone receiving serious injuries. It is understood that the truck stalled while crossing the railway.

(June 11th, 2011)

The heavily used Station Road level crossing in Rossington, Doncaster has a reputation as a location where motorists are known to flaunt the rules for the safe use of level crossings and recklessly zig-zag around lowering barriers. Additionally, pedestrians regularly misuse the crossing.

With this in mind British Transport Police (BTP) marked the June 9th, 2011 International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) with an exercise to educate motorists and enforce compliance with the law. Despite the BTP officers being highly visible, CCTV camera enforcement vehicle recoded the passage of a motorist who chose to ignore stop lights. Instead, enforcement action is being taken.

Network Rail which funded the camera van deployed in support of the police to get the safety message across to motorists and pedestrians using the level crossing at which 5,000 motorists and 500 pedestrians interact with more than 200 trains a day.

(June 10th, 2011)

A woman was fatally injured when she was hit by a train on a level crossing in Weeze on the railway line between Cleve and Geldern. Witnesses have said that the woman fell when she was crossing the railway and failed to get up before she was hit by a train. Why the woman fell is presently unknown. The accident occurred on June 9th, 2011.

(June 10th, 2011)

Speaking on June 9th, 2011, International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD), Thierry Mariani, Secretary of State for Transport, said that the radar system installed at the level crossing in Lagny-le-Sec was a success. Since the enforcement system was installed in June 2010, the number of offences has reduced by 65%. As a result, the minister announced that there would be five such systems operational by the end of 2011.

The announcement was made at an ILCAD event at level crossings in Saint-Germain-sur-Morin (Seine-et-Marne) at which the Minister said that 100 level crossings had been eliminated and a further 150 improved in 2010. Expenditure on level crossing enhancement in 2009 and 2010 totalled EUR 105 million.

(June 10th, 2011)

Network Rail, Great Britain’s national rail infrastructure manager, has joined forces with sat-nav manufacturer Garmin to provide an alert that a level crossing is on the route ahead. The level crossing alert which is free to download was launched on June 9th, 2011 as one of Network Rail’s initiatives marking the

International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD).
Britain's motorists can now benefit from a world first in satellite navigation technology which Network Rail hopes will reduce unsafe driver behaviour by warning motorists when they approach one of the level crossings around the country.

Developed by Garmin in association with Network Rail, it works in a similar way to the speed camera alerts that many people have on their sat-nav systems, warning drivers with a cheery train whistle and an on-screen ‘X’ when they approach a level crossing.

The free download is available for Garmin's nüvi and nüLink sat-nav systems at: www.garmin.com/uk/extras-points-of-interest/.
Network Rail hope the new technology will encourage safer motoring and reduce the number of incidents which cause damage, disruption and a number of deaths each year.

Network Rail and Garmin are also looking into developing an intelligent version where motorists can choose routes that avoid level crossings or alter the route to avoid a level crossing where the barriers are down if there is a quicker alternative route.

Network Rail’s Director of Operational Services Dyan Crowther said: "Motorists that jump the lights or smash into barriers as they try and beat them coming down can cause great disruption and cost to the network, so we're always looking at new ways in which we can reduce the risk of incidents at level crossings."

Anthony Chmarny, Garmin head of communications said, "The development of this free level crossing application shows the on-going commitment we have to ensure our sat-nav customers have the very best travel information at the tip of their fingers. We believe this will help to save time, money and most importantly improve drivers’ safety during their journey."

(June 9th, 2011)

 

 

A level crossing of the Beira Baixa rail corridor in Fundão was eliminated on June 9th, 2011 to mark the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). The elimination of this level crossing was addressed in an agreement between the municipality and REFER, the Portuguese national rail infrastructure manager in June 2009 which provided for an alternative grade separated route across the railway. This crossing closure brings to 30 the number closed in recent years.

(June 9th, 2011)

Strong support for the International Awareness Day (ILCAD) was evident in Austria on June 9th, 2011 with Transport Minister, Doris Bures, standing alongside other partners from road and rail committed to tackling risk arising at level crossings. Indeed, the case for action was made when a truck intruded onto a level crossing in Lustenau, Vorarlberg. The accident which occurred at an active barrier equipped level crossing has been attributed to the truck driver failing to observe the red lights and then crashing through a lowered barrier at a location where an ILCAD event was taking place.

In 2010 there were 170 accidents at level crossings and 13 fatalities which the information and awareness campaign launched on ILCAD is designed to counter through changed behaviours of level crossing users.

In addition to launching the awareness campaign, the Minister affirmed the continuing commitment to investing in upgrading level crossings. Indeed, EUR 35 million has been invested in recent years by ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, the national rail infrastructure manager. Plans call for the upgrading of 1,700 level crossings nationwide over the coming decade.

In terms of awareness, the primary target audience is those living near to level crossings. This is because most accidents involve motorists who are familiar with level crossings and believe that they know enough about them and the times of trains to keep them safe. Patently, this is not the case.

An investment in video surveillance equipment is likely as the two pilot projects appear to be working well. The cameras are installed at level crossings in Eisenstadt and in Allentsteig in Lower Austria with the primary objectives of identifying in detail the characteristics of misuse and those that misuse level crossings on the one hand and controlling speed on the other.

(June 9th, 2011)

A bus carrying 64 students hung-up and was trapped on the D17 level crossing near Virieu-sur-Bourbre, Isere, because the bus was running with the front suspension in an intermediate position. When the level crossing controls activated for an approaching train, the bus driver managed to raise the suspension to the higher position and reverse clear of the level crossing.

The incident which occurred at around 09.45 on June 8th, 2011 led to an immediate prohibition on buses crossing the D17 level crossing.

(June 9th, 2011)

British Transport Police mounted a day-long exercise to target motorists running red lights at Oakham’s notorious level crossing (LXinfo April 2011). The drive, organised to coincide with the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) which this year was on June 9th, 2011, is necessary as despite earlier initiatives 25 incidents of road user misuse have been recorded over the past two months.

(June 9th, 2011)

French railway authorities were joined by regional and local public authorities marked the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) with an exercise to raise awareness of level crossing safety in Obernai, Bas-Rhin.

The level crossing at the intersection of Departmental Highway 422 and the railway adjacent to the railway station is equipped with automatic half-barriers. However, it is located close to schools and is used by a lot of young pedestrians as a result. Vehicular use is estimated at 7,500 per day with 55 trains scheduled daily. Thus it was this crossing that was chosen for the awareness raising drive on June 9th, 2011 even though no accidents have been recorded in recent years.

In total, the Alsace region is populated with 486 level crossings of which 281 are in Bas-Rhin and 187 in Haut-Rhin. However, this number is reducing as grade separation and consolidation schemes are progressed.

For example, in Bas-Rhin a study to eliminate level crossing number six in Reichstatt are underway. The project is expected to be completed in 2013 at a cost of more than EUR 7.0 million with regional funding sitting alongside that to be provided by RFF, the French national rail infrastructure manager. Another project is the coordination of traffic lights with those protecting a level crossing in Molsheim.

In Haut-Rhin, closure of level crossing number three in Brunstatt was achieved as part of a wider project in September 2010 at a cost of EUR 15.5. The Haut-Rhin public authority met 55% of the cost with the balance shared equally between the State, the Alsace region and RFF. A study is underway to eliminate level crossing seven in Wintzenheim at an anticipated cost of EUR 7.5 million.

An example of a consolidation project was the upgrading of a passive level crossing in Obernai to an automatic half-barrier status which, in turn, allowed the closure of three nearby passive crossings.

(June 9th, 2011)

With 27 deaths recorded on level crossings in France during 2010 and the time and cost involved in eliminating level crossings, the need to raise public awareness and change behaviours is clearly necessary. This was evident in the Hérault on June 9th, 2011,

International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). For example, the level crossing on Route De La Gare in Baillargues was targeted, with railway staff from RFF and SNCF working with the police to hand-out leaflets and advice.

Initiatives combining engineered solutions, education and enforcement have broadly halved the number of deaths on level crossings in the past decade. This approach is to be carried forward with RFF, the French national rail infrastructure manager, partnering with other public authorities.

There are 676 level crossings in Languedoc-Roussillon of which the Hérault is a part. Of these 16 are considered particularly dangerous. Addressing these is a priority. However, it is sobering to note that in Languedoc-Roussillon over five years only ten such crossings have been eliminated in projects including associated highway works – for example a by-pass – at a cost of between EUR 7.0 and EUR 20 million.

(June 9th, 2011)

British Transport Police officers have been deployed at the Ordnance Road level crossing in Enfield, greater London to mark the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). The June 9th, 2011 initiative comes less than a year after there was a fatal accident on the level crossing (LXinfo September 2010). An exercise was also mounted at a level crossing in Northumberland Park, Tottenham, Greater London. The focus of the BTP is making sre that motorists and pedestrians understand what is expected of them when they are confronted by a level crossing.

The ILCAD initiative which is aimed at educating drivers and pedestrians of the dangers of improperly using a level crossing sees parallel day-long activity in more than 40 countries.

(June 9th, 2011)

Women drivers, and in particular middle aged women, are more likely to take risks when using level crossings. This is a conclusion of an analysis undertaken by British Transport Police (BTP) and released on June 9th, 2011, the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD).

The data underpinning the BTP analysis is based on the results of overt surveillance of 43 level crossings across south east England using a Network Rail funded state-of-the-art camera van which detected 1,131 level crossing-related motoring offences reported for prosecution since January 2011.

Based on the above, women aged from 50 to 65 accounted for 27% of offences which is twice the rate associated with male drivers aged 25 or less. The middle-aged women were also more likely to offend than men of the same age who clocked up 19%.

Looking at the 50 to 65-year-olds as an entity, they accounted for 46% of offences detected using the latest in camera surveillance of level crossings. Thus, they are more than five times as likely to offend, than are men of today’s “boy-racer” generation who clocked up just 8% of the offences detected by the camera van. At the other end of the age spectrum, just 2% of offences detected related to motorists older than 65. Overall male motorists were responsible for 52% of offences.

(June 9th, 2011)

The last trains between Harwich and Colchester were cancelled on June 7th, 2011, after a man was found to have been struck by a train on a level crossing on a farm track off Station Road, Bradfield, near Manningtree, Essex.

Police have indicated that they are treating the death which occurred at 23.52 on a user-worked crossing as non-suspicious and that they are preparing a file for the Coroner’s Inquest.

(June 8th, 2011)

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway has issued a warning to motorists that they are risking their lives at level crossings. The warning follows an incident on June 6th, 2011 when a car followed a train over the active open level crossing in Porthmadog while the lights were still flashing and came two days before a pre-planned awareness event.

In total the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway is home to 130 level crossings, many of them private field-to-field farm crossings. Those attending the awareness raising event were taken to the Minffordd level crossing near Porthmadog to see a staged level crossing collision before being briefed on the arrangements for the safe use of level crossings, in particular private user-worked crossings.

(June 8th, 2011)

Level crossing misuse in Porthmadog, source F&WHR

Agreements have been reached which will see two level crossings in San Benedetto Del Tronte eliminated and replaced by underpasses. The crossings to be replaced are on vias Pasubio and San Giovanni.

Tenders for the necessary works are being invited with the costs anticipated in the region of EUR 2.1 million for the grade-separated replacement of the crossing on Via San Giovanni. The Via Pasubio works are expected to be more expensive with an estimated price tag of EUR 4.325 million. Funding is split between various public authorities including RFI, the Italian national rail infrastructure manager. It is expected that both underpasses will be completed within two years.

(June 8th, 2011)

Although the Coney Green level crossing in Oswestry, Shropshire, is no longer a part of the national rail network, concerns have been raised that mobility scooters are becoming trapped on a level crossing which is owned by Cambrian Heritage Railways. While the level crossing is not presently used by trains, it is an issue locally that which should not be ignored as the heritage line continues with refurbishing the line.

(June 7th, 2011)

A woman in her 90s was hit by the train at the level crossing at Kristinehamn station. The woman is believed to have made her way past a lowered barrier and crossed into the path of the approaching train despite a shouted warning not to cross. The accident occurred on June 7th, 2011.

(June 7th, 2011)

ADIF, Spain’s national rail infrastructure manager, has eliminated the Mezquia level crossing in San Millán-Donemiliaga, Álava at a cost of EUR 1.6 million. The grade separated alternative for pedestrians is recognised within the community as benefiting their safety. Likewise the new vehicular route across the railway involves which uses of an alternative crossing 560 metres to the west of the crossing that has been eliminated is championed as a safer route for all traffic, pedestrian and vehicular. The works executed in this project includes a new link road facilitating access to a number of agricultural land holdings.

In total Álava is benefitting from an ADIF investment of EUR 3.5 million which has enabled the elimination of four level crossings within the national programme that is eliminating 1,931 crossings over a five year period.

(June 7th, 2011)

The European Railway Agency (ERA) has published its fourth Annual Report on the development of Railway Safety in the European Union. The report shows that on the basis of data reported to ERA, the year 2009 was the safest year on the EU’s railways for both passengers and rail staff since ERA first reported covering 2006.

The report reiterates that rail travel remains a very safe mode of transport. However, despite this nearly 1,400 people still accidently die on EU railways each year; most of these fatalities are of unauthorised persons (trespassers) and level-crossing users. In addition more than 2,700 suicides have been recorded as having occurred on EU railways in 2009.

The ERA annual safety report highlights that the number of level crossing accidents constitutes a substantial share of the total number of accidents across the EU’s railways. Member States reported 1,284 level-crossing users killed in a total of 3,063 level-crossing accidents during the three years 2007–2009. There are about 124,000 level crossings in the EU, so that on average there are 4 level crossings in each 10 km section of track. Only 41% are equipped with active controls.

The proportion of level crossings equipped with active controls varies greatly between countries. Only in four countries – Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway and the Netherlands – are more than 75% of all level crossings so equipped.

In six countries – Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia and the United Kingdom – less than 25 % of level crossings are of active types. Despite this, the United Kingdom consistently records amongst the best level crossing safety performance in the EU.

To access the ERA safety report go to: http://www.era.europa.eu/Document-Register/Pages/Railway-Safety-Performance-in-the-European-Union-2011.aspx

(June 7th, 2011)

 

As of May 30th, 2011 the number of level crossing accidents at level crossings in the Russian Federation totalled 98. This compares with the 79 that occurred in the first five months of 2010. These statistics and those specific to railways in the North Caucasus region which experienced 17 incidents which resulted in two fatalities and 10 injuries has prompted a month long safety awareness drive. The intent of the initiative running through June 2011 is to raise awareness of motorists of the need to respect the rules for the safe use of level crossings.

Similar initiatives are taking place in other regions.

(June 7th, 2011)

A woman was killed when the car she was driving was hit by a train on an active level crossing in Szentgotthárdról, Sopron. The collision which occurred at about 17.45 on June 6th, 2011 saw the car pushed 600 metres along the track despite the train driver having made an emergency brake application wheb the car was seen to be standing on the level crossing. It is not known whether the car had been stopped intentionally.

(June 6th, 2011)

A man was seriously injured when he was hit by a train on the Noarder Stasjonstrjitte level crossing in De Westereen. Witnesses have said that the victim crossed when the active controls indicated an approaching train. The alarms led to the victim hurrying but he was still hit by the train.

(June 4th, 2011)

A 16-year-old died when he was hit by a train on a barrier equipped level crossing in Hokksund. The accident which occurred at around 22.00 on June 3rd, 2011 has led to calls for the protection at the level crossing to be further enhanced as at present it is said to be too easy to circumvent the barriers when they are lowered for an approaching train. Other calls have been for the closure of the level crossing.

Norway has approximately 3,000 level crossings, a number that is reducing by about 100 year-on-year.

(June 4th, 2011)

A truck carrying an excavator brought down 200 metres of the railway’s overhead electrification system when it attempted to use a level crossing in Lascari, Palemo. Disruption continued for several hours during the afternoon of June 3rd, 2011. In total 17 trains were cancelled and others delayed.

Yet another occasion when a truck driver of an over-height vehicle has proceeded to cross the railway without first checking that the necessary clearance is available.

(June 3rd, 2011)

The Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) has published an updated edition of their Guide to Road – Rail Interface Safety Research”. This useful guide which draws together the many strands of research that RSSB has managed in recent years, The April 2011 version of the guide is a free download from the RSSB website and can be found by following the link to: http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments
/pdf/reports/Research/T907_guide_final.pdf.

(June 1st, 2011)

Guide to Road-Rail Interface Safety Research