Melbourne, Victoria: VRCSSC considers pedestrian crossing controls

Victoria’s Railway Crossing Safety Steering Group (VRCSSC) has considered research looking at pedestrian level crossing controls which have been trialled at the Center Road level crossing in Bentleigh with a view to improve safety and deter crossing the railway illegally.

The approach adopted was to conduct before and after studies looking at each of the technologies trialled to inform VRCSSC making policy decisions for application across Victoria. The technologies trialled were:

• An active another train coming (ATC) sign
• A Red Standing Man (RSM) sign
• Mechanical Emergency Escape Gate Latches (MEEGL)
• Electro-magnetic Emergency Escape Gate Latches (EMEEGL)

Another Train Coming Sign (ATC)

The effectiveness of the ATC was not prominent due to physical restrictions currently in place, which are the automated pedestrian gates and locked emergency escape gates deterring pedestrians from using the railway crossing regardless if there is another train coming or not.

The ATC sign provides additional information to pedestrians when another train is approaching. However, based on the cost benefit analysis performed in the Human Factors Level Crossing Studies commissioned, the initial outlay for this control would be disproportionate to the benefits seen.

Red Standing Man Sign (RSM)

The study found that pedestrians may carry-over the mental model of the RSM sign used at road crossings to cross illegally “because they can when safe” regardless if the wait is short. The carry over of this mental model to the railway crossing would be undesireable. Also at Bentleigh, where the pedestrian gates restrict the crossing, the RSM sign would not provide additional benefit as pedestrians have no where to cross.

At actively controlled pedestrian crossings, the rail infrastructure currently provide sufficient warning to the public of a train approaching and the RSM sign would not significantly improve the safety of the public. Also, the cost of implementation is disproportionate to the benefits

Mechanical Emergency Escape Gate Latches (MEEGL)

The installation of the EEGL was found to reduce illegal crossing and improve the safety at pedestrian crossings. A human factors study recommended that the signage at the EEGL is simplified by removing “emergency from the “emergency exit” signage.

The mechanical latch installed at Bentleigh requires regular labour intensive maintenance to sustain its optimal performance. This was due to the number of moving parts and mechanical complexity. Due to these concerns, it was recommended that an electromagnetic latch be trialled and compared to the mechanical latch to determine the most appropriate latch to be used.

Electromagnetic Emergency Escape Gate Latch (EMEEGL)

• The ATC sign is not recommended for usage at actively or passively controlled pedestrian crossings.
• The use of the ATC sign referenced in Australian Standard AS1742.7 should be discussed with Australian Standards
• The RSM sign is not recommended for use where pedestrian traffic is actively controlled
• Australian Standard AS 1742.7-2007 should be updated to make the RSM sign optional rather than mandated as at present.
• Emergency Escape Gate Latch exit signs should be simplified to read “exit” rather than “emergency exit”. A walking man symbol should be added along with an arrow indicating the direction to walk to access the refuge
• The EMEEGL should be installed at all future upgrades of pedestrian crossings. When considering retro-fit of the EMEEGL to existing active pedestrian crossings, each location should be risk assessed taking into consideration of the pedestrian volumes and behavioural tendency to illegally cross through the emergency escape path
• The EMEEGL requires a standard configuration to ensure consistency across the network and most importantly for the visually impaired to comprehend the usage of the EMEEGL’s as part of their routine.

(May 31st, 2010)

Lagny-le-Sec, France: New photo-enforcement camera on trial

A new photo-enforcement camera system is on trial at a level crossing in Lagny-le-Sec, Oise. The trial which began on May 10th, 2010 is to change motorist behaviours as much as trap them for breaking the law at level crossings.

The pilot application, which will run for six months, is of a radar based system that activates when the crossing warning sequence initiates and remains active so long as the lights continue to exhibit flashing red signals. The presence of any motor vehicle on the crossing after the closure sequence is initiated is captured digitally and the se images can be used as evidence to prove the crossing was not used in accordance with road traffic law.

(May 10th, 2010)