Save lives with low-cost ‘humps’ at unprotected rail crossings

Another tragedy was reported at an unprotected rail crossing at Omanthai with a death toll of four. Low cost ‘humps’ on either side of the crossing would surely have prevented this tragedy. I was surprised to learn from the media that 200 railway gates with electric bell and light systems are to be installed at a cost of USD 6.4 million. At the current exchange rate, it works out to an astounding Rs.5.3 million per gate with the total direct investment exceeding Rs. 1 billion!

Harking back to the past, it was reported on March 2, 2015 that the Railway Department had installed 20 railway gates with electric alarm bells at a huge cost of Rs. 10 million per gate! Thereafter, the Transport Ministry had recommended a proposal by the previous Govt, (appearing in the media on May 18, 2014) to instal 200 similar rail gates with bell and light systems at a much lower figure of Rs. 4.15 million (still high in our view) in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa and a private firm.

The present move is clearly a resurrection of the latter proposal being considered at a higher exchange rate for the Dollar. We are at a loss to understand why such extravagant and ineffective technical solutions eating into our meagre Forex reserves and billions of tax payers’ monies are recommended at a time when our country is afflicted with debt repayment and balance of payment problems?

In the wake of a series of tragic accidents at railway gates, the writer proposed a low cost, viable alternative for rail-gates which was first published in both the Sinhala and English press as far back as 2013, followed by several reminders through the years 2014 to 2017.

These electric rail-gates entail high maintenance costs and in addition are liable to frequent breakdowns due to rainy weather, excessive heat etc. Besides, as proved in the Wanawasala, Batuwatte and Hideniya tragedies, electric bell and light systems have become defective due to exposure to elements. A valid comment by an eyewitness at the Wanawasala tragedy sums up my point: “No one can rely on that bell. Sometimes when it rains heavily it rings continuously till someone fixes it. Vehicles with their shutters closed and the radios on, wouldn’t hear it on most occasions.” These tragedies repeatedly point to the fact that negligence of drivers overrides highcost technical solutions such as barrier gates and bell and light warning systems.

As a viable low-cost alternative to

this high cost rail gate systems, I suggested that concrete speed- breakers (humps) be installed at a safe distance (05 to 07 metres) ahead of each crossing on both sides of the road. In order to adequately warn the vehicle drivers, a visible red danger signal with appropriate lettering should be painted on the face of the hump itself so that it would be clearly visible even during the night.

The forced slow down or stoppage of the vehicles due to the ‘hump’ will enable motorists to clearly read and see the danger signal and exercise caution before crossing the railway track.

To make this preventive measure more effective I have suggested the following additional steps.

1) Display the usual traffic signal used to indicate a Railway crossing in a more prominent manner (luminous) to attract the attention of drivers. 2) Clear the immediate vicinity of the railway crossings of trees and shrubs to improve the sight of an approaching train.

3) Instruct all Railway engine drivers

by circular to toot the engine horns adequately to attract the attention of those passing the railway track at any railway crossing. Though belated, the Railway Dept. started responding to my proposal and by May 2017 they were reported to have installed 111 ‘humps’. It is unfortunate that Hindeniya and Omanthai rail crossings were not protected by ‘humps’ which surely would have averted this tragic accident.

Bernard Fernando Via email