The extra kicker at this particular crossing is that, just after the crossing is a pinch-point over an old bridge. The traffic was so backed up on the other side that my direction crosses the LC then immediatley stops to to give away (as instructed by the signs) to the other direction, leaving some poor sods stationary on the tracks.
There's simply no excuse (except stupidity) for being left on the tracks. There's either space to move in to the other side of the tracks or not. Unless I'm missing something with your description. Streetview link?
1. Typo left in as I like it.
Anyway, in the age of 'smart' systems, surely barrier timings could be tidied up a bit. They know exactly where each train is and how fast it's going. Hardly rocket surgery.
Sure: https://goo.gl/maps/UHVrTXAuRBVrhZ1s5
Unlike your example, it's not a particually busy place, but this was at kicking out time and there is a converted barn/office on the other side of the tracks who all leave at the same time it seems, so there was solid traffic coming the other way, all desperate to get across so weren't yeilding to any of us. (there's no priority signs in the SV image, so maybe i imagined it)
The google SV cam is quite high so flattens the profile of the hump in the road, so it leaves a hidden dip. Over the other side, theres room for about 3 cars before the pinch point, the queue that formed must have been around 10. So as soon as you're going, you're stopping again. Quite easy to get caught out, I'd think.
The timing of barriers has nothing to do with road traffic. They’re closed ages in advance so the signalling can be “cleared” far enough in advance that the trains can run at full speed on approach without having to slow down to prepare to stop.
The traffic was so backed up on the other side that my direction crosses the LC then immediatley stops to to give away (as instructed by the signs) to the other direction, leaving some poor sods stationary on the tracks.Level crossings should be treated as box junctions. Do not enter them until you can see there is sufficient space beyond the far barrier for your vehicle. In fact, I'm sure some of them used to be painted as yellow box junctions.
The timing of barriers has nothing to do with road traffic. They’re closed ages in advance so the signalling can be “cleared” far enough in advance that the trains can run at full speed on approach without having to slow down to prepare to stop.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-50688515
In a report the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the barriers were lowered until the train was about 200 metres from the crossing.Green light problem, ie interpreting a green light (in this case the opened barriers) as meaning "GO!" rather than "Go if your way is clear." Either that or people did look, see the train 200m away and ignore it.
"The barriers then lifted, the level crossing warning lights went out and cars began to cross the railway.
The traffic was so backed up on the other side that my direction crosses the LC then immediatley stops to to give away (as instructed by the signs) to the other direction, leaving some poor sods stationary on the tracks.Level crossings should be treated as box junctions. Do not enter them until you can see there is sufficient space beyond the far barrier for your vehicle. In fact, I'm sure some of them used to be painted as yellow box junctions.
Presumably not treated in the manner with which most people actually treat box junctions...The traffic was so backed up on the other side that my direction crosses the LC then immediatley stops to to give away (as instructed by the signs) to the other direction, leaving some poor sods stationary on the tracks.Level crossings should be treated as box junctions. Do not enter them until you can see there is sufficient space beyond the far barrier for your vehicle. In fact, I'm sure some of them used to be painted as yellow box junctions.
Green light problem, ie interpreting a green light (in this case the opened barriers) as meaning "GO!" rather than "Go if your way is clear." Either that or people did look, see the train 200m away and ignore it.
True, but in this particular case the barriers had just lifted and the train was only 200m away.Green light problem, ie interpreting a green light (in this case the opened barriers) as meaning "GO!" rather than "Go if your way is clear." Either that or people did look, see the train 200m away and ignore it.
There’s no requirement to look out for or give way to trains on a level crossing*. Very few have the sight lines that would enable that.
If the lights are off and the barriers are open, you may go. On the very rare occasions when a train does cross during that time, it’s a failure of the railway and no one else.
(* unless it’s one of the few with no lights or barriers)
In fact, I'm sure some of them used to be painted as yellow box junctions.
This thread does give a sense of why Network Rail are keen to get rid of all level crossings. I don't suppose they'll ever manage that and if they do, people will probably find other ways to do stupid things on railways.
This thread does give a sense of why Network Rail are keen to get rid of all level crossings. I don't suppose they'll ever manage that and if they do, people will probably find other ways to do stupid things on railways.
Not only level crossings. In Aylesbury there was for years an ungated pedestrian / cycle accessible crossing that saved about a half mile walk to some local shops. There was another directly behind the main station as well. Both closed in the last 5 years for safety reasons (some very near misses) despite being public footpaths. Neither has been replaced with a footbridge, which would at least have kept pedestrian traffic open.
They're only really dangerous, in most cases, to people whom I assume are drunk and/or stupid.
I can only remember ever hearing of one accident on one of those. Perhaps people are just more careful if they are needing g to take the decision on their risk themselves. We have so many round here and its so flat that I instinctively look both ways as I cross, just in case
Getting rid of level crossings is a nightmare for those who can't do stairs.
I can only remember ever hearing of one accident on one of those. Perhaps people are just more careful if they are needing g to take the decision on their risk themselves. We have so many round here and its so flat that I instinctively look both ways as I cross, just in case
No, the users get sloppier over time. Keeps the RAIB busy:
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=user+worked&organisations%5B%5D=rail-accident-investigation-branch&order=relevance
https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&tbm=isch&sxsrf=&ei=&q=uk+tractor+train+crash
Footpath crossings are included in level crossings. Network Rail have a classification of umpty types according to what traffic crosses them, who owns it (some are privately owned, they're not all rights of way) and how it's operated (which includes "user operated").
The surest way to reduce risk at a level crossing is to close it and under our current safety programme we have successfully closed more than 700 in the last three years.
There's quite a few of those around here (N. Kent).Footpath crossings are included in level crossings. Network Rail have a classification of umpty types according to what traffic crosses them, who owns it (some are privately owned, they're not all rights of way) and how it's operated (which includes "user operated").
On a walk just last year, I was shocked to come across a footpath crossing over the same line I was refering too in the OP. (GWR - Bristol to London) Shocked, in a good way. Just a kissing gate with some very clear signage saying you cross at your own risk, you stop/look/listen as trains are travelling heckin fast here. It felt nice not to be treated like a lobotomy outpatient for once.
Forgot to quote NR.“Closed” includes “closed and replaced by a bridge”QuoteThe surest way to reduce risk at a level crossing is to close it and under our current safety programme we have successfully closed more than 700 in the last three years.
That's the same kind of logic as celebrating a reduction in cycling casualties on the road by making sure fewer people cycle.
Some also have a black cross on a white background, probably only lines with a very low speed limit.
Keeping track of trains up to a failsafe, safety critical standard *is* apparently rocket surgery.Rocket 'surgery'?
A surprisingly large number of trains still run on “somewhere between signal box A and signal box B” principles. Only one line in the UK has “smart” signalling, which was converted as a test a decade ago. No more have been done since.Moving block I presume. Where's that ?
Keeping track of trains up to a failsafe, safety critical standard *is* apparently rocket surgery.Rocket 'surgery'?
'Rocket engineering', surely.
I think that the line to Aberystwyth was converted to the European signaling standard (? ERTS?) and of course there's HS1A surprisingly large number of trains still run on “somewhere between signal box A and signal box B” principles. Only one line in the UK has “smart” signalling, which was converted as a test a decade ago. No more have been done since.Moving block I presume. Where's that ?
And no more have been done doubtless because of signalling engineers being notoriously conservative and the cost.
You shouldn't stop on a level crossing but, if you do and your car stalls, the DSA advice used to be to put the car into first gear and crank the starter. The starter motor is quite capable of moving the car. Sadly, most modern cars won't operate the starter unless your foot is on the clutch or the brake (it varies).
Also, second gear is likely to move you further, sooner.You shouldn't stop on a level crossing but, if you do and your car stalls, the DSA advice used to be to put the car into first gear and crank the starter. The starter motor is quite capable of moving the car. Sadly, most modern cars won't operate the starter unless your foot is on the clutch or the brake (it varies).
Doesn't work for automatic transmissions
I think that the line to Aberystwyth was converted to the European signaling standard (? ERTS?) and of course there's HS1A surprisingly large number of trains still run on “somewhere between signal box A and signal box B” principles. Only one line in the UK has “smart” signalling, which was converted as a test a decade ago. No more have been done since.Moving block I presume. Where's that ?
And no more have been done doubtless because of signalling engineers being notoriously conservative and the cost.
Thank you YorkieAnd not just on the obvious topics; it's a community of cyclists rather than a cycling forum. :thumbsup:
This is what's great about YACF someone, somewhere knows stuff!
Keeping track of trains up to a failsafe, safety critical standard *is* apparently rocket surgery.Rocket 'surgery'?
'Rocket engineering', surely.
This joke is now in orbit.
Getting rid of level crossings is a nightmare for those who can't do stairs.
Stairs are probably the biggest cause of injury on the railways after level crossings...
That link is disappointing. I thought it was going to be a case of emergency brain surgery performed on a rocket.Keeping track of trains up to a failsafe, safety critical standard *is* apparently rocket surgery.Rocket 'surgery'?
'Rocket engineering', surely.
This joke is now in orbit.
Also, the joke[1] became real back in 2018: https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/12/11/russian-eva-45a/
[1](click to show/hide)
That link is disappointing. I thought it was going to be a case of emergency brain surgery performed on a rocket.I'm sorry, Dave, I can't do that.