Správa železnic Increases Security of Dozens Further Crossings This Year

Throughout the country, Správa železnic is increasing the level of security at level crossings, which have been identified as potentially risky in terms of possible collisions between cars and railway vehicles. It includes the addition of warning lights, the installation of barrier crossbars and also new technologies of composite crossbars with LED diodes.

“Správa železnic invests every year approximately one billion crowns in increasing security at level crossings. The installation of the highest level of security will take place this year at more than sixty crossings all over the entire railway network. As part of the test operation we will also increase the number of composite barrier crossbars with LED technology, from which we expect more distinctive reduction in accident frequency at the level crossings concerned,” states Jiří Svoboda, Director General of Správa železnic.

Správa železnic is going to supply 52 crossings with barrier crossbars this year, where there were previously only warning lights, and at the same time to increase the security of more than 70 level crossings marked currently with warning crosses, by installing warning lights or barrier crossbars. LED barrier lighting will be installed in 42 cases.

Barrier crossbars with LED diodes

The flashing crossbars of the barriers attract the attention of drivers, especially in reduced visibility, when the additional signalling on the barrier crossbar is particularly accentuated. These are LED diodes that run in parallel with the light security equipment of the crossing. The following level crossings will be equipped with LED technology in test operation: one at Dolní Lutyně on the line between Bohumín and Dětmarovice and next two at Jistebník and Polanka nad Odrou in the section between Studénka and Ostrava. Other barrier crossbars with LED diodes will be fasten for example at three level crossings of the Blatná – Strakonice railway line with the I/20 road and at four railway level crossings in Prague, for instance at the crossing of Bubenská street with the railway line to Kladno.

At first sight, the barrier crossbars may surprise some drivers with their mightiness, however, they are constructed of a hollow composite, so that they are easily breakable if the car remains closed between the barriers. In addition, if it is necessary to leave the crossing, the car can lift the round shape of the barrier crossbar more easily. After evaluating the test operation, Správa železnic will decide on their possible more massive expansion on the Czech railway network.

Increase of security at level crossings is one of the priorities of Správa železnic. On its network, there are more than 7,800 intersections with roads of various levels of security, which the infrastructure manager gradually modernises and thus rises the safety.

Soubory ke stažení

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