Reducing Risk at Level Crossings
Level crossings perform a vital function but at each one, there is an opportunity for the public to come into contact with trains.
ORR figures show that although the number of fatalities remained low in 2015/16, it increased from four in 2014/15 to six a year later. NR policy is to close as many crossings as funding and timescales allow, and in 2016/17 it closed 67 and changed public rights of way at a further seven. But with 6,000 crossings still in existence, it must also implement a wideranging risk mitigation strategy for users, and use technology to improve safety even further.
Lown says: “We’ve got a whole range of crossing types so the integrity of those systems varies, but the question remains over how can we close as many level crossings as possible so that interactions can’t happen.
“We can’t wave a magic wand and shut them all, so it’s about targeting high-risk locations and we continue to look at how technology can help to improve their overall design. How can we take thousands of half-barrier crossings and use warning systems to give greater protection?”
He adds: “In Control Period 5 we were challenged by the ORR to reduce that risk so we looked at the highest risk crossings to achieve that intelligently and cost-effectively. Our challenge has been to figure out how we bring in technology that allows us to build bridges more easily while using the railway.
“We will have groups of people who say ‘we don’t want a bridge because it’s unsightly’ and we need to respond with understanding, and reach out to reduce the risk in the best way that complements the local community.”