Low-cost ‘humps’ best option to avert rail accidents
Yet another tragic accident at a railway crossing, this time in Wadduwa has brought into focus, the need for a quick, effective and low cost solution to this deadly problem. The presence of a speed –breaker no doubt would have prevented this accident where the warning given by the rail-gate keeper was not heeded.
Readers will recall that this writer’s several letters to the press on this proposal were published as far back as 2013. I also sent a proposal to the Ministry of Higher Education which was conducting a contest to select the best low cost, effective proposal to prevent accidents at railway -crossings. Though it was acknowledged, the entire project seems to have got derailed somewhere.
Recently, I noted in the press with delight that the Railway Department has initiated the installation of ‘humps’ at railway crossings and I myself encountered one during a trip to Hatton. On further inquiry from the Dept, I learnt that while they have planned to instal 250 ‘humps’ at selected unprotected crossings; work has already been completed on the stretch between Ragama and Negombo.
I publicly convey my heart-felt appreciation for the ‘never- toolate’ but bold step taken by the GMR and the Railway Dept. to forge ahead. I also hasten to thank the press for the due publicity given to my proposal.
The process could be accelerated if undertaken with the assistance of the Local Govt. authorities islandwide. Proper and standardized instructions should however be provided by the Railway Dept. to make the ‘humps’ an effective warning for motorists to slow down their vehicle to a virtual halt. For example, the ‘humps’ should be painted with luminous red carrying the words- ‘DangerRailway crossing ahead’ in large white/black lettering so that it will draw special attention of those motorists who are strangers to the area, even during night time.
According to a senior DIG, the driver’s recklessness has been the cause for accidents more than whether the crossing was protected or not. Also, according to Railway sources, it is practically difficult to instal full barriers where the roads are very broad. Further, the funding and high –cost maintenance have constantly discouraged the authorities in a financially drained economy to instal highcost gates at every single crossing.
In the circumstances an effective, low-cost and maintenance free ‘hump’ or the ‘SleepingPoliceman’ would provide the ideal remedy to overcome all three aforesaid problems. Bernard Fernando Moratuwa