10 LEVEL CROSSING SAFETYSUPPLEMENT


A typical private level crossing, of which more than 3,100 remain on the Norwegian rail network, protected only by gates and warning signs


crossings consist of a single white light that goes out as a train approaches, whereas the traffic lights at public crossings flash red when a train is due.


More users Many authorised users of private level crossings fail to understand that they are responsible for safety and traffic on the crossing. It is not uncommon for new residents of an area to start using a private level crossing, and Jernbaneverket is aware of cases where local authorities have zoned an area for residential development that can be accessed only via a private level crossing. In such cases, private crossings experience traffic growth that represents a safety challenge for the local community.


Many crossings eliminated Most private level crossings are equipped only with gates. This requires road users crossing the line to exercise a great deal of care. Crossings of this kind are found only where a small number of users normally cross the line, but still make up the vast majority of level crossings. Over the past few years, several hundred such crossings have been eliminated in favour of underpasses or overpasses. As a rule, a single underpass or bridge is built to take traffic formerly served by multiple level crossings. Jernbaneverket works with the owners of private crossings to reduce the dangers associated with their use.


European Railway Review Volume 17, Issue 4, 2011


Simple measures In recent years, Jernbaneverket has worked intensively both to reduce the number of level crossings and to protect them better using simpler methods. Better signage has been erected, lines of sight and road conditions improved, and public information campaigns conducted. All this is in addition to closing level crossings and realigning the roads concerned. On average, Jernbaneverket has closed 100 level crossings a year in the past decade.


» Jernbaneverket would like to see a rail network completely free of level crossings, with all road traffic crossing the tracks via bridges or underpasses «


Agreements Before a level crossing can be closed, agreements have to be signed with its authorised users. In some cases, compensation may be considered if the closure inconveniences the user. These cases often involve farmers who have to make a lengthy detour to reach their land with agricultural machinery and thus incur higher costs.


Agricultural crossings Jernbaneverket has signed many agreements


with farmers to close agricultural crossings when not in use. If the farmer intends to use the crossing to move agricultural machinery or harvest timber, he asks Jernbaneverket to open the crossing temporarily. This is one simple way to reduce the accident risk.


Zero vision Jernbaneverket has a zero vision for the number of fatalities resulting from railway operations in Norway. For many years there has been a sharp focus on level crossing safety. In the longer term, Jernbaneverket would like to see a rail network completely free of level crossings, with all road traffic crossing the tracks via bridges or underpasses. However, given the large number of level crossings and the average cost of roughly NOK 1 million for eliminating a crossing, this is likely to take a long time.


Liv Bjørnå is Jernbaneverket’s Safety Director. Liv has a degree in marine engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Before joining Jernbaneverket in 2010, Liv


was Director of Safety and Technology at CargoNet AS. She previously served as Operational and Technical Safety Manager at NSB, a consultant at Norconsult SysTech AS, safety management and analysis specialist at the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate, and in various roles at Kværner Oil & Gas a.s.


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