Level crossing stupidity...

[melmerby]

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by melmerby

[kevinlms]

Here's a report from Australia, about a collision between a train and a road train. Just released today.

 

https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-items/2022/level-crossing-collision/

 

with full report here.

 

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2021/rair/ro-2021-003/

[melmerby]

Back on topic!

How dare you.........🤣

[corneliuslundie]

Back off topic, it is interesting how misleading a single photo can be. The first photo of the derailed loco made it look as though the area was pretty rural, whereas in fact is is surrounded by buildings and adjacent to a junction.

And the Australian road train - a good example of a potential distraction for today's drivers. On the other hand, he might have been looking down at a map on his lap. The technology changes but the distractions remain.

Jonathan

[melmerby]

13 hours ago, corneliuslundie said:

Back off topic, it is interesting how misleading a single photo can be. The first photo of the derailed loco made it look as though the area was pretty rural, whereas in fact is is surrounded by buildings and adjacent to a junction.

 

Jonathan

The railway has changed considerably since 2007, with the freight route grade separated

This is 2019:

 

 

Notice the culvert carried over the diveunder.

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by melmerby

[martin_wynne]

2 hours ago, corneliuslundie said:

whereas in fact is is surrounded by buildings and adjacent to a junction.

 

The junction was evident in the first pic -- you can see the track in the bottom right.

 

Martin.

[Wickham Green too]

3 hours ago, kevinlms said:

Here's a report from Australia, about a collision between a train and a road train. ....

"“Given the size and weight of most trains, the onus to take action to avoid a level crossing collision rests almost entirely on the road vehicle user,” Dr Walker said." ...................................... I'm not sure I'd have included the word 'almost' there !!?!

[kevinlms]

5 hours ago, Wickham Green too said:

"“Given the size and weight of most trains, the onus to take action to avoid a level crossing collision rests almost entirely on the road vehicle user,” Dr Walker said." ...................................... I'm not sure I'd have included the word 'almost' there !!?!

What if a vehicle was stalled on a level crossing and the train was at a platform just before the level crossing?

 

Would the train driver be expected to start the train according to the timetable or would it be reasonable to expect the train driver to give way to the vehicle on the crossing?

[jcredfer]

1 hour ago, kevinlms said:

What if a vehicle was stalled on a level crossing and the train was at a platform just before the level crossing?

 

Would the train driver be expected to start the train according to the timetable or would it be reasonable to expect the train driver to give way to the vehicle on the crossing?

 

The question of avoidance, refers to the ability of a train to stop in time, rather than start, from stationary - unless it was a russi'n military train...    😲

 

 

[Wickham Green too]

2 hours ago, kevinlms said:

What if a vehicle was stalled on a level crossing and the train was at a platform just before the level crossing?

 

Would the train driver be expected to start the train according to the timetable or would it be reasonable to expect the train driver to give way to the vehicle on the crossing?

I think in that case the onus would be on the train driver NOT to take any action - just to stay at the platform ................. presumably the vehicle stalled when the crossing was clear for road traffic and, therefore, before the train arrived.

[big jim]

Crossing crash today on the Sheffield supertram

 

Bit of swearing so NSFW

 

Hopefully no injuries

[melmerby]

Police not expecting to see a tram on that road?

[Michael Hodgson]

Railway level crossings normally have wig wags not just traffic lights with good reason.

Emergency vehicles are authorised to "jump" red lights (though they're supposed to do it carefully!) but not wig wags.

[stewartingram]

Police driver had a broken leg apparently, with 5 (I think) minor injuries to tram passengers.

 

[Grovenor]

Another photo here,

 

[jcredfer]

I reckon, whatever else the police driver gets, he/she won't do that again.

 

[PhilJ W]

46 minutes ago, jcredfer said:

I reckon, whatever else the police driver gets, he/she won't do that again.

 

Almost certainly off driving duties for the foreseeable future. Although emergency vehicles on a 'shout' are permitted to jump red traffic lights it is down to the driver if there's an accident. 

[PhilJ W]

13 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said:

Railway level crossings normally have wig wags not just traffic lights with good reason.

Emergency vehicles are authorised to "jump" red lights (though they're supposed to do it carefully!) but not wig wags.

Indeed, but although wig wags might be preferable in the instance being discussed it might not be possible such as if the tram was on a street running section used by other traffic. Technically in such circumstances it is not a level crossing just a traffic light controlled road junction that is used by rail born vehicles.

[melmerby]

6 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Indeed, but although wig wags might be preferable in the instance being discussed it might not be possible such as if the tram was on a street running section used by other traffic. Technically in such circumstances it is not a level crossing just a traffic light controlled road junction that is used by rail born vehicles.

It is the case.

The tram was on Glossop Road with  a clear light.

Tram routes rarely have wigwags, even when a road crosses a tram only private right of way.

 

e.g. Black Lake on the West Midland Metro, this used to be the GWR main line from Birmingham to Wolverhampton:

 

[EddieB]

19 hours ago, big jim said:

Bit of swearing so NSFW

Thanks - I just wish the other poster of the same clip had included that warning!  🤐

[62613]

On 31/03/2022 at 18:29, SamThomas said:

Brilliant film, about time it was re-run on one of the Freeview channels.

 

Back on topic yes & another railway connection looking at the front bumper of the truck.

Stephen Spielberg's first film, seemingly, Can't have cost that much to make, either

 

[martin_wynne]

No stupidity from this horse in Ireland today.

 

 

 

[martin_wynne]

RAIB report today on the Coltishall near-miss:

 

 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62557a64e90e0729f6bf81fd/R032022_220414_Coltishall.pdf

 

Martin.

[Dunsignalling]

I was interested to see the reference to Police drivers passing red lights vs, wig-wags. 

 

Possibly explains the use of the latter outside certain Fire Stations (one at Bridport, Dorset springs most readily to mind) to stop traffic and allow appliances out.

 

I'd thought it was just because of its proximity to regular traffic lights. 

 

John

Edited April 14, 2022 by Dunsignalling

[Nick C]

16 minutes ago, Dunsignalling said:

I was interested to see the reference to Police drivers passing red lights vs, wig-wags. 

 

Possibly explains the use of the latter outside certain Fire Stations (one at Bridport, Dorset springs most readily to mind) to stop traffic and allow appliances out.

 

I'd thought it was just because if its proximity to regular traffic lights. 

 

John

I believe most, if not all, Fire Stations have wig-wags outside. Certainly ours here does.