A railway crossing (a photo of various situations on this section is presented in the article) is the place of a single-level intersection of a rail track with a motor, bicycle or pedestrian road.
General information
Any railway crossing is an object of increased danger. For this reason, to prevent accidents in these places, the presence of protective elements and warning signals is provided. These, in particular, include barriers, sound signals and traffic lights. The facility is also equipped with an automatic type crossing barricade device. It is a metal tile that rises to block the passage. An exception are places located in inactive sections of the road. To indicate them, only warning elements are used (for example, the sign "Railway crossing"). The objects under consideration are located in places where good visibility prevails. The intersection angle of railway tracks and roads should be at least sixty degrees. In some countries, a dedicated tram line at the intersection with the highway is equipped in the same way as the railway.
Object classification
In our country, railway crossings are divided into several categories. All such objects are divided into two classes: adjustable and unregulated. The task of ensuring safety on railway transport of federal significance is solved by telemechanics and specialized automation equipment. They provide regulation of the movement and pre-emptive right of trains in those places where at one level of their path there are intersections with roads. These standards must meet all the requirements established by the special Regulation "On the safety of railway transport infrastructure". Further in the article it will be referred to as the Technical Regulation. The SDA provides for the determination of the possibilities for safe crossing of unregulated level crossings for all participants in the process.
Classification of facility operating conditions
A railway crossing may be in the following conditions:
- The facility is open for movement of trains and other vehicles on it. At the same time, telemechanics and railway automation are in good condition.
- The facility is open to trains on it, but closed to other vehicles. At the same time, moving is free of road facilities. Telemechanics and automation are in good condition. A level crossing is ready for safe train passes.
- The facility is closed to the movement of trains and other vehicles on it. This is due to the presence of a car on the crossing that cannot leave it on its own. At the same time, telemechanics and railway automation are in good condition. The move is not ready for the passage of vehicles.
- The facility is closed to the movement of trains and other vehicles on it. At the same time, telemechanics and railway automation are out of order. The railway crossing is not ready for the passage of vehicles due to a protective failure of safety equipment.
- The facility is open to trains along it, but closed to cars. This is due to the vehicle being at the crossing, which did not manage to leave its zone. At the same time, telemechanics and railway automation are in good condition. The move is ready for access control vehicles.
- The facility is open to trains along it, but closed to cars. At the same time, telemechanics and railway automation are out of order. Relocation is not ready for access control of vehicles.
- The facility is open for movement of trains and other vehicles along it. At the same time, telemechanics and railway automation are out of order. The facility is not ready for the safe passage of trains and cars.
Norms
The instruction on level crossings establishes a certain level of control, which telemechanics and railway automation must comply with. These funds must ensure movement in the exercise of the pre-emptive right to follow trains on a regulated facility. To do this, perform the following functions:
1. Exercise control over trains. In particular, the unloading and their occupation of the areas of approach or removal are regulated.
- This control measure is implemented at controlled crossings, which are located on the railroad tracks. This event is carried out using several independent sensors. Their task is to fix the availability of trains at the crossing section. There should be at least four sensors.
- This control measure is implemented at regulated crossings, which are located at railway stations. They must be equipped with a centralization system for traffic lights and arrows. This event is carried out through technical equipment.
2. To implement the fencing of the objects under consideration, a signal traffic light is used. At the same time, the railway crossing is equipped with specialized warning systems. These elements operating on objects are controlled automatically or externally. They are controlled by an operator who regulates the movement of trains on a specific section of railway tracks. Also, this action can be performed by the person on duty at the facility. Traffic lights control traffic. They prohibit the use of the facility for vehicles while the train reaches the appropriate section (approaches the line of intersection with the road for a certain distance).
3. The implementation of the object barriers with barriers from the side of automobile traffic. This event is carried out by installing specialized systems. The crossing is equipped with electric barriers. They can be controlled automatically or externally. They are controlled by an operator who regulates the movement of trains on a specific section of railway tracks. Also, the control may be carried out by the person on duty on moving. Retroreflective devices and signal lights are installed on the bars of barriers on those sides that are facing the road.
4. Implementation of a moving barrier by equipping devices from unauthorized entry of motor vehicle participants. This event is carried out by installing specialized systems. The railway crossing device in this case provides for the construction of barrier elements from the side of the road. The operation of these structures is controlled by the operator. It regulates the movement of trains on a specific section of the railway. Also control can be carried out by the person on duty at the facility.
5. Implementation of the fencing of the facility with specialized devices from the railways. This event is carried out by installing obstructive traffic lights in the appropriate direction. They are controlled by an operator who regulates the movement of trains on a specific section of railway tracks. Also, a relocation officer may be responsible for this.
6. Implementation of control of the free path from vehicles. This event is carried out by equipping the facility with appropriate sensors. They usually have a control device. They can also be visually monitored by an object attendant.
7. The implementation of determining the speed of a train that is approaching an object. This event is carried out by equipping the railway tracks with appropriate sensors in the crossing areas. Additionally placed devices that process the information received.
8. The implementation of the communication of telemechanics and railway automation with the rest of the relevant equipment and operators that regulate the movement of trains on a specific section of the railway. To carry out these activities, special automatic lines are used. Operators, in turn, using the data obtained, regulate the movement of trains on a specific section of railway tracks.
9. Implementation of timely communication to all road users of information that the closure procedure will soon begin. This event is carried out by equipping the facility with special sound warning devices.
10. Implementation of timely reporting to pedestrians who follow the pedestrian crossing road that a train will arrive here soon. This event is carried out by equipping the facility with voice informant equipment.
11. Implementation of monitoring the status of telemechanics and railway automation. This event is carried out by installing appropriate sensors and indicating devices.
General Rail Crossing
Never forget that non-compliance with established standards can cost a person life. Absolutely all road users must obey the ban on staying in the crossing zone when the barrier starts to close or is already in that position, and the corresponding traffic signal lights up. This rule also applies to cyclists and pedestrians. It is allowed to be no closer than five meters from the fence. If the railway crossing is without a barrier, then the distance to the nearest rail should be at least 10 meters.
Railway crossing rules in force in the Russian Federation
In our country, all road users are prohibited from entering railway tracks in the following situations:
- The barrier begins to close or is already closed. In this case, the signal color of the warning light does not play a decisive role.
- A train (or any other railway transport) is within sight and is approaching a level crossing.
- The prohibiting signal of the light device has lit up. In this case, the position and presence of the blocking structure does not play a decisive role.
- Railroad crossings are prohibited if there is a traffic jam behind the railway area, which will prevent the driver from leaving the rails.
- The attendant gives a prohibiting signal. In this case, it should be turned towards the driver with his back or chest with a rod raised above his head, a flag, a red light or arms outstretched to the side.
In almost all countries where there are railroad tracks, safety at level crossings is ensured by the observance of the above norms.
What to do if the car stopped on the rails?
Unfortunately, the occurrence of such situations is not uncommon. If the driver cannot independently push the car out of this zone, then the stipulated norms require the following actions from him:
- In case of an emergency stop on the railway tracks, it is necessary to immediately drop all passengers out of the car.
- Try to take measures on your own to release part of the railway track.
- To send two people on both sides of the railway, if possible. First you need to explain to them the rules for giving a stop signal to the train driver.
- Located near the vehicle. In this case, general alarm signals should be given.
- If the train appeared in sight, it is necessary to run towards him. In this case, the driver should be informed about the need for an urgent stop.
How to give a signal?
General anxiety
For information, a series of one long and three short beeps is used.
Stop requirement
The signal is a circular motion of the hand. For its implementation, a lantern or a torch will be required at night, and during the day - some easily noticeable object or flap of bright fabric.
Precautions
Safety rules at the intersection of railway crossings are not respected by all and not always. This inevitably leads to death. Currently, special attention is paid to developments that would prevent such a confluence of circumstances. For example, in Western Europe, a program has been launched to reduce the number of relocations. They are replaced by multilevel intersections. In this case, a ratio of four to one is observed. That is, several old objects are replaced by a new, more advanced one. In the Netherlands, the construction of relocations was completely abandoned. At the same time, in some cities of the Russian Federation there are trolleybus and tram routes that pass through the railway zone.
Modern developments
At operated crossings, new developments, structural materials are introduced and modern technical solutions are implemented. All these measures are aimed at improving the security of smooth traffic at the intersections of railways and roads. Objects are equipped with rubber flooring. They significantly increase the speed of overcoming part of the railway track by vehicles. To increase the level of safety, special signaling devices are used. They allow you to inform traffic participants about the occurrence of emergency situations in the zone of intersection of the road with the railway track and other emergency circumstances. Currently, sirens and red flashing beacons are widely used.
Warning elements
At a certain distance in front of any section of the intersection of the road with the railway track, special structures are installed. If the object is not equipped with a barrier element, then this is a railway crossing without a barrier. The sign is a white triangle edged with a red line around the entire perimeter. In the center is a steam locomotive. A level crossing without a barrier, the sign of which is presented above, is usually additionally equipped with signal elements. A warning structure is installed directly in front of the rails - a sign in the form of a white Andreev cross with a red edging.