Level crossing
A level crossing (also called a grade crossing, a railway crossing, or a railroad crossing) is a place where a railway line and a road meet each other on the same level. This means that the grades (the road and the track) are not separated by using a bridge or a tunnel. Usually, there are signs indicating the crossing. There may also be barriers/gates that go down before a train passes.
Depending on how much traffic there is, there are different measures to make the crossing more secure:
- Signs or panels, indicating the crossing
- Blinking or steady lights
- Sounds (usually a warning bell)
- Gates/barriers that are lowered before a train passes
Since level crossings are dangerous (there are many accidents), they are usually reworked into grade separated crossings when there is more traffic, or high speed trains.
Images
Unsecured crossing indicated by a sign. This local railway line is in rural Germany, in the Taunus mountains.
Level crossing with blinking lights
Level crossing with steady lights
Lights, and gates/barriers
Sometimes there are people for traffic control.
Level crossing with half-barriers, flashing lights, and a bell
Level Crossing Media
Amtrak train wreck in Bourbonnais, Illinois (US), in 1999 was attributed to a malfunction of the warning signals, with fatigue of the driver of a semi truck as a contributing factor.
Crossing of the A970 road over Sumburgh Airport's runway in Shetland. The movable barrier closes when aircraft land or take off.
The French sign warning of plane movements on or near the ground was changed in 1977 to comply with the Vienna convention.
Intersection in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar
A train crosses the runway in Manakara, Madagascar.
A level crossing at Hoylake, Merseyside, England, with a train passing
An active level crossing in Japan, 2022, train approaching from left
A railroad crossing in Abington, Massachusetts, US
.JPG)
