4 LEVEL CROSSING SAFETYSUPPLEMENT


vehicle drivers ignoring signals is something we have to do. Perhaps this will mean a new type of crossing – but this is an area where engineering innovation is needed. Our objective by 2014 is to have reduced


the contribution of level crossing risk to overall safety risk by 25%.


We will achieve this by taking a systematic


approach and implementing a number of large scale interventions alongside a programme to improve our risk management. This includes closing more passive crossings, deploying more enforcement vehicles and a fixed camera rollout, low cost miniature warning lights at


crossings in long signal sections, spoken alarms at station crossings, introducing an overlaid barrier at open crossings and enhancing sighting times. Enhancing risk management skills by


introducing risk practitioner qualifications, training and competence testing for staff and updating the ‘All Level Crossing Risk Model’ (ALCRM) will help to build a more consistent approach to this key risk area. Using external expertise to develop a wider assessment of risk and reducing the number of roles involved in this process by creating dedicated posts to streamline current activities will help.


» Educating users is important – many acts of misuse are errors and simple mistakes. They are not always the deliberate violations and barrier weaving or red light running we see on television «


Changing the way we manage level


crossings and changing the perceptions and behaviour of the other significant interfaces is part of this process. Without a three way change making the reductions and hitting the targets we have set ourselves will be difficult. Educating users is important – many acts of


misuse are errors and simple mistakes. They are not always the deliberate violations and barrier weaving or red light running we see on television. We will be working with many more user groups and stakeholders to do this and to provide them with the information and tools to use crossings safely. If we also manage to convince Local


Authorities, Councillors and MP/MSPs to help us and to change the view that level crossings and their safety is a rail only responsibility, then we may really make a big difference and see some real changes in this critical area as we seek to modernise our railway and improve capacity, commerce, and the experience of passengers and users.


Raising awareness of crossing safety at Rossington, South Yorkshire, as part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day.


European Railway Review Volume 17, Issue 4, 2011


Martin Gallagher is currently Head of Level Crossings at Network Rail. Previously, Martin was Head of Community Safety and National Crime Manager for Network Rail.


Photo Source: www.networkrail.co.uk


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