Why don't level crossings have normal traffic lights?
Discussion
I was thinking about this recently, partly triggered by THIS THREAD last week. Then on the way home from a relatives in West Wickham, I came across the croydon tram line which uses conventional traffic lights instead of the flashing lights/barriers.
Everyone, even my 3 year old, understands what a red light means (central London residents excepted
), where as any other light seems to mean "go on just pop across, there's nothing coming yet..." to many people these days.
I'm sure many of the mass uneducated view the flashing lights as an advisory message, as apposed to a genuine warning of impending doom should you pass when lit.
Ignoring what it would cost to convert crossings, discuss....
Everyone, even my 3 year old, understands what a red light means (central London residents excepted
), where as any other light seems to mean "go on just pop across, there's nothing coming yet..." to many people these days.I'm sure many of the mass uneducated view the flashing lights as an advisory message, as apposed to a genuine warning of impending doom should you pass when lit.
Ignoring what it would cost to convert crossings, discuss....
Edited by JordanTurbo on Sunday 6th October 10:25
Bad idea IMO
Reasons being, Traffic lights aren't treated (in general) with the same respect as a level crossing. Far too many people go through amber and red lights these days and I also believe most people would only see the lights and stop seeing a level crossing.
Current system is fine as it is. Let the stupid people who f
k around on level crossings kill themselves and the balance will be fine.
Reasons being, Traffic lights aren't treated (in general) with the same respect as a level crossing. Far too many people go through amber and red lights these days and I also believe most people would only see the lights and stop seeing a level crossing.
Current system is fine as it is. Let the stupid people who f
k around on level crossings kill themselves and the balance will be fine.The issue for me is that level crossing lights tend to be flashing up to 5 mins before the train passes. People know this and it's likely why we see people jumping the barriers sometimes.
A barrier local to me is next to a station. The barrier comes down a good few minutes before the train gets to the station. It then remains down whilst the train sits in the station and only raises once the train has passed. It really does take a good 5-10 mins sometimes.
I understand the reasoning. If the train were to overrun the platform etc. But still. 5-10 mins for a train to pass? And I'm really not exaggerating.
A barrier local to me is next to a station. The barrier comes down a good few minutes before the train gets to the station. It then remains down whilst the train sits in the station and only raises once the train has passed. It really does take a good 5-10 mins sometimes.
I understand the reasoning. If the train were to overrun the platform etc. But still. 5-10 mins for a train to pass? And I'm really not exaggerating.
JordanTurbo said:
Everyone, even my 3 year old, understands what a red light means (central London residents excepted ), where as any other light seems to mean "go on just pop across, there's nothing coming yet..." to many people these days.
I'm sure many of the mass uneducated view the flashing lights as an advisory message, as apposed to a genuine warning of impending doom should you pass when lit.
That sounds like a terrible idea with the general stupidity regularly witnessed. Lights of any description seem to be treated equally as an unnecessary hold up regardless of whether ignoring them means impending death by bus/ train/ hgv/ JCB/ tank. ), where as any other light seems to mean "go on just pop across, there's nothing coming yet..." to many people these days.I'm sure many of the mass uneducated view the flashing lights as an advisory message, as apposed to a genuine warning of impending doom should you pass when lit.
Edited by Ian974 on Sunday 6th October 11:41
I've thought about level crossings when stuck in the traffic around them.
For instance in Kent there is the Medway Valley Line. Outside of rush hour it is seldom used. The majority of the stations are next to the roads where the crossings are located. When a train approaches a station the lights and barriers are activated/lowered way before the train comes into the station (there's probably a statutory minimum time). The train then stops at the station and people get on/off. The when it's ready it moves off.
By this time 50-80 cars/vans/buses are waiting. And when the train pulls by there is normally 2 people on the train as passengers and no-one has got off at the station.
So rather than delay so many people, why can't trains pull into the station, pick up/drop off passengers and when it's ready to set off then activate the crossing? (There is the risk of the train overrunning the station into the crossing I know).
For instance in Kent there is the Medway Valley Line. Outside of rush hour it is seldom used. The majority of the stations are next to the roads where the crossings are located. When a train approaches a station the lights and barriers are activated/lowered way before the train comes into the station (there's probably a statutory minimum time). The train then stops at the station and people get on/off. The when it's ready it moves off.
By this time 50-80 cars/vans/buses are waiting. And when the train pulls by there is normally 2 people on the train as passengers and no-one has got off at the station.
So rather than delay so many people, why can't trains pull into the station, pick up/drop off passengers and when it's ready to set off then activate the crossing? (There is the risk of the train overrunning the station into the crossing I know).
Armed guards or some kind of automatically activated Gatling turret if you really wanted to stop the vast majority of people who currently would do it. I think that no matter what you do, some will try their luck and some will get themselves killed.
While on topic, I heard yesterday that train journeys have been on the rise since 750m in the 80's to about 1.5bn now so there is more activity on the rail network
While on topic, I heard yesterday that train journeys have been on the rise since 750m in the 80's to about 1.5bn now so there is more activity on the rail network
No, what they should do is put gatso camera things on them all. They put them all around the country in stupid places where they are not wanted or needed as revenue gatherers but they don't put them up in truly dangerous places that no one would complain about. Tells you a lot about how many people ignore the crossing lights.
The one near me is next to a station and regularly holds traffic for 5+ mins as it closes for a train heading East but then stays closed because a Westbound train pulled up at the station, occasionally causes long queues but no one that I've seen is really agitated by it.
The one near me is next to a station and regularly holds traffic for 5+ mins as it closes for a train heading East but then stays closed because a Westbound train pulled up at the station, occasionally causes long queues but no one that I've seen is really agitated by it.
Current system lets approaching drivers know they are coming to a level crossing otherwise they might only think they are coming to a normal junction especially if unfamiliar with the area.
Regarding barriers I always wonder what kind of idiot sees a half barrier down but thinks its a good idea to slalom round about it.
Regarding barriers I always wonder what kind of idiot sees a half barrier down but thinks its a good idea to slalom round about it.
I never realised level-crossings were such a big issue until watching this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persi...
The guy with the pram and the bus drivers, just begger belief.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persi...
The guy with the pram and the bus drivers, just begger belief.
Edited by TheTurbonator on Sunday 6th October 14:04
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