Pedestrian level crossings - can they flash or siren
Discussion
"It depends" appears to be the answer - here's Network Rail's take - http://www.networkrail.co.uk/transparency/level-cr...
I'd expect if it had poor sighting or was on a high-speed line then it'll have either red/green lights, sirens or both.
I'd expect if it had poor sighting or was on a high-speed line then it'll have either red/green lights, sirens or both.
alangla said:
"It depends" appears to be the answer - here's Network Rail's take - http://www.networkrail.co.uk/transparency/level-cr...
I'd expect if it had poor sighting or was on a high-speed line then it'll have either red/green lights, sirens or both.
Does that link go to the right page? Cant see anything about lights and sirensI'd expect if it had poor sighting or was on a high-speed line then it'll have either red/green lights, sirens or both.
network rail said:
Level crossings
There are 6,300 level crossings on our rail network and we have a legal duty to assess, manage and control the risk for everyone.
Level crossings fall into five distinct categories but each is unique so we’ve worked with our rail industry partners to develop a standardised method for assessing crossing risk. Factors taken into account include frequency of trains, frequency and types of users and the environment and where the crossings are located.
Risk assessment
Level crossings are assessed at a frequency that is based on the level of risk a crossing poses. The assessment frequency ranges from 1¼ to 3¼ years.
We strive to improve safety by managing and mitigating the risk at crossings. Education and safety campaigns are a fundamental part of this.
A safer railway
We can eliminate risk by closing crossings where agreement can be reached to do so. As part of our commitment to a safer railway we have delivered the following so far:
Closed 900 crossings (804 closures in the five years to 2013, and to date 96 closures in the five years to 2019)
Improved sighting at over 1,000 crossings
Repositioned over 250 crossing phones into safe areas for users
Installed overlay barriers at 45 open crossings
Introduced a fleet of mobile safety vehicles
Next steps
We are now working on:
The national rollout of red light safety cameras
Power operated gates at user worked crossings
Closing at least another 250 crossings
Is it about recording people get squashed, or close their crossings rather than install warning devices? There are 6,300 level crossings on our rail network and we have a legal duty to assess, manage and control the risk for everyone.
Level crossings fall into five distinct categories but each is unique so we’ve worked with our rail industry partners to develop a standardised method for assessing crossing risk. Factors taken into account include frequency of trains, frequency and types of users and the environment and where the crossings are located.
Risk assessment
Level crossings are assessed at a frequency that is based on the level of risk a crossing poses. The assessment frequency ranges from 1¼ to 3¼ years.
We strive to improve safety by managing and mitigating the risk at crossings. Education and safety campaigns are a fundamental part of this.
A safer railway
We can eliminate risk by closing crossings where agreement can be reached to do so. As part of our commitment to a safer railway we have delivered the following so far:
Closed 900 crossings (804 closures in the five years to 2013, and to date 96 closures in the five years to 2019)
Improved sighting at over 1,000 crossings
Repositioned over 250 crossing phones into safe areas for users
Installed overlay barriers at 45 open crossings
Introduced a fleet of mobile safety vehicles
Next steps
We are now working on:
The national rollout of red light safety cameras
Power operated gates at user worked crossings
Closing at least another 250 crossings
Yes, one near me, no gates, barriers or sirens.
Interestingly, it goes to red a significant time after the road crossing a couple of hundred metres away has already stopped traffic.
ETA - thinking about it, there may be a kissing gate some way back to stop the horses from meandering.
Interestingly, it goes to red a significant time after the road crossing a couple of hundred metres away has already stopped traffic.
ETA - thinking about it, there may be a kissing gate some way back to stop the horses from meandering.
Edited by Ledaig on Saturday 3rd September 00:02
Nothing at all to prevent you crossing, nor to warn you of approaching trains here...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3030821,-0.73326...
...not even any latches on the gates, just a big spring to swing it shut behind you.
It's pretty well sighted along the line in both directions, plus it's not a 'high speed' line, and I'm sure there's a "W" sign on the approaches so the driver should sound the horn as a warning. The crossing just up the way, on a different line, has pedestrian traffic lights and safety interlocks on the gates, with a 'panic button' on the rail side to let you out if it locks while you're half way across. They had to fit Tupperware™ boxes as an interim solution to thick f
kers reaching around to open the gates from the outside, though... 
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3030821,-0.73326...
...not even any latches on the gates, just a big spring to swing it shut behind you.
It's pretty well sighted along the line in both directions, plus it's not a 'high speed' line, and I'm sure there's a "W" sign on the approaches so the driver should sound the horn as a warning. The crossing just up the way, on a different line, has pedestrian traffic lights and safety interlocks on the gates, with a 'panic button' on the rail side to let you out if it locks while you're half way across. They had to fit Tupperware™ boxes as an interim solution to thick f
kers reaching around to open the gates from the outside, though... Thanks Yellowjack - yours looks like one of those might be suitable for an upgrade closure 
Ledaig said:
Yes, one near me, no gates, barriers or sirens.
Interestingly, it goes to red a significant time after the road crossing a couple of hundred metres away has already stopped traffic.
Any chance of a link / pic?Interestingly, it goes to red a significant time after the road crossing a couple of hundred metres away has already stopped traffic.
Ledaig said:
Yes, one near me, no gates, barriers or sirens.
Interestingly, it goes to red a significant time after the road crossing a couple of hundred metres away has already stopped traffic.
That would be a Minature Red/Green crossing. They are automatic and operated by the passage of trains. Either by a treadle or track curcuit. As soon as the train hits the treadle or occupies the track curcuit for that crossing it changes the warning light from green to red.Interestingly, it goes to red a significant time after the road crossing a couple of hundred metres away has already stopped traffic.
Edited by Ledaig on Saturday 3rd September 00:02
The road crossing could well be manned or remotely monitored and protected by signals therefore the barriers need to be lowered in good time to clear the protecting signal to avoid delay the train.
In my opinion there is no such thing as a dangerous crossing, only dangerous users
Nice Bittern Ledaig 
Talking of which
How far up the track do they decide to place the treadle?
These days couldn't they have a speed radar looking out the side of the red/green light box?
demic said:
That would be a Minature Red/Green crossing. They are automatic and operated by the passage of trains. Either by a treadle or track curcuit. As soon as the train hits the treadle or occupies the track curcuit for that crossing it changes the warning light from green to red.
The road crossing could well be manned or remotely monitored and protected by signals therefore the barriers need to be lowered in good time to clear the protecting signal to avoid delay the train.
In my opinion there is no such thing as a dangerous crossing, only dangerous users
However poor operation of a crossing can lead to mis-use as we've where timings are too long.The road crossing could well be manned or remotely monitored and protected by signals therefore the barriers need to be lowered in good time to clear the protecting signal to avoid delay the train.
In my opinion there is no such thing as a dangerous crossing, only dangerous users
Talking of which
How far up the track do they decide to place the treadle?
These days couldn't they have a speed radar looking out the side of the red/green light box?
saaby93 said:
Thanks Yellowjack - yours looks like one of those might be suitable for an upgrade closure
Can't see that happening. 'The Hatches' was formerly a proper through road, but now a cul-de-sac for cars. The shared use path on the other side in the picture has just had money spent on it. New fences, resurfaced, and replacement crossing gates too. Commuters who live in Frimley but catch trains at Farnborough North and Farnborough Main use it, and the traffic increase if the crossing closed, from people driving 'the long way round' would be counter-productive.There's another one between Blackwater and Sandhurst stations... https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3371035,-0.78676... ...and one I can't get a streetview screenshot of near Wellington College... https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3601807,-0.81575... ...which is the most worrying of all. There's a perfectly serviceable (well it appears to be sound) single lane vehicle width bridge as an alternative, except the posh t
ts what own the college have put up heavy duty fencing, and all cycle/pedestrian traffic has to use steps to access an uncontrolled level crossing between two footpaths/bridleways. Just because Little Lord bd Fauntleroy wants privacy while playing golf, FFS. The plummy goofballs also have a pedestrian bridge with locked gates further up the line to access their vast (five seperate wickets!) cricket fields.I use these uncontrolled pedestrian level crossings frequently. They just require a pause to assess, really, before crossing. I'm not overly worried about using them, they just need a little extra respect.
saaby93 said:
True?
30 seconds? a minute?
Definitely less than a minute (or 1 minute at the most), it turned red as I walked up to it, the first and second pic were both taken in the 12.51 window.30 seconds? a minute?
saaby93 said:
True?
Can you see the wire connected to the track in your Bittern pic
I would be surprised if it's anything to do with the lights as it's right on the crossing as you can see below (apologies for the poor quality),Can you see the wire connected to the track in your Bittern pic
tight5 said:
saaby93 said:
True?
Don't get ya.saaby93 said:
30 seconds? a minute?
Depends on LINESPEED !!!Higher speed requires more warning.
saaby93 said:
Thanks Ledaig and hound
No, you're welcome !
sorry I mixed up my posts they do make sense - to me
True goes with your depends on line speed
From Ledaigs figures I reckon they have a sensor for about a mile of track before the crossing
60mph = 1 mile per minute - that red train may have been closer to 85 mph so under a minute
I was thanking Ledaig and the dawg for taking the photos
If the signalling is done by the train entering a section of track, that piece of wire could be connected to a 1 mile section and the orange tube does the same for the other track
Could it use that rather than a treadle?
No matter - the useful thing is to see these light crossings and that Bittern
and thanks for your input too tight5
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