Level crossing signs from the view of road users in Europe. Tamás Déri Hungarian NSA
Due to the different approach on level crossing regulation in the European Union, we made a survey within the European NSAs. Here, we would like to thank for the responses on the subject We havegot answer from more then 15 ILGGRI members. Thankyoufor yourhelp According to the answers of the NSAs, there are significant differences between the type of level crossings in below mentioned countries. This could lead to dangerous situations in case of malfunctioning level crossings
Who is responsible? Basis: 8 november 1968 - Vienna Convention on Road Traffic Theagreement did notgiveguidanceforthemodeof signs The actual regulation is done within the member states own national regulation
Legal regulation In Hungary: Decree 1/1975. KPM-GM onuniform regulation of road provisions (KRESZ) Decree 20/1984. (XII.21.) KM on trafficmanagement of roadsand layout of road signs
The European approach The design of warning light devices are different in the Member states HU IT CH UK NO LT RO FR
What the road users see Caution signs Countdown markers Road traffic signals at level crossing and warning devices The approaching train
Crossing is forbidden Constant, flashing or alternately flashing red light Lowered barrier In other cases, when train traffic emerged HU CH
Equipment operates correctly Crossing is allowed when the red lights are not shown (white light might be shown) and the barrier arms are raised In some EU member states the warning lights are completely off CZ CH HU
The device at level crossing is out of order In this case normally no lights are shown (apart from the approach in some countries eg. Switzerland) The arm of the half barrier is lowered (apart from the approach is some countries eg. Hungary) HU CH CH
Different regulations in Member states The train driver is notified on the malfunctioning device at the level crossing by rail signaling, the Train Control System or written provision. In this case the train driver has to lower the speed, be more aware and give sound signal when approaching the level crossing In some Member States the Infrastructure Manager is responsible to notify road user on the malfunctioning device by installing road signs
Risc of different traffic regulations When the level crossing device is damaged or out of order: In Hungary: lights are not shown and the arm of the half barrier is raised. In some EU countries this approach means crossing is allowed This different regulation couldlead to accident when international traffic emerges. Malfunctioning device in Hungary Crossing is allowed in Switzerland
II. Why does it matter? 1400 Number of level-crossing accidents in EU Member States (2006-2014) 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 IE LU NO CH DK LV HR FI BG LT SE EE UK ES EL PT NL IT SI BE AT SK HU CZ RO FR DE PL EU Total numberof LC accidentsineu (2006-2014): ~ 6 900
III. Why does it matter? 600 Total number of people killed in level-crossing accidents (2006-2014) 500 400 300 200 100 0 LU IE NO CH EE DK LV BG SI HR LT FI SE EL UK BE ES IT PT NL SK AT CZ HU RO FR DE PL EU Total number of persons killed in LC accidents (2006-2014): ~ 3 400
IV. Why does it matter? Hungarian data in 2015 (Source: Hungarian State Railways MÁV Zrt.; GYSEV Zrt.) GYSEV MÁV Total Number of Level-crossing accidents 6 66 72 Total number of persons seriously injured in all accidents 2 47 49 Total number of persons killed in all accidents 14 96 110 Total number of persons killed in level-crossing accidents 8 17 25 Total number of active and passive level crossings 304 5838 6142 Total number of active level crossings 260 2642 2902 Total number of passive level crossings 44 3196 3240 Number of line kilometres 439,5 7297 7736,5
V. Why does it matter? 120 100 80 Number of Levelcrossing accidents Total number of persons killed in levelcrossing accidents 60 40 20 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Hungarian values between 2006-2015
VI. Why does it matter?
Why is this an international question? Share of fatalities in level-crossing accidents out of all other railway and road accidents (EU-28: 2010 2014) 1 29 Level Crossing fatalities Level Crossing fatalities 71 Railway fatalities excluding those on LCs 99 Road fatalities excluding those on LCs
Conclusion Concerning the fact that the fatalities in level crossings in the railway transport relatively much higher (29%) vs. the road traffic (1%), we recommend that NSA HU and NSA IT should raise this question in the next ILGGRI meeting in order to write a request to ERA and RISC committee to set up a common Task Force with the representatives of the road transport. The goal of the activity of this Task Force would be to harmonise the traffic signes in the level crossings in the EU MSs.
Thank you for your attention!