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User Worked Level Crossings - Development of POGO with links to MSL

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eastdyke

eastdyke

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Railway Gazette is reporting on a development for POGO (Power Operated Gate Opener) user worked level crossings with links to MSL (Miniature Stop Lights).
https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/user-worked-crossing-gates-and-lights-linked/54800.article
In what Network Rail said was a first, the user-worked gates at Jacky Duffin Wood level crossing on the route to Drax power station have been linked to the miniature stop lights, meaning they can only be opened by motorist when there is no train approaching.
Network Rail installed a power-operated gate opener at the rural crossing eight months ago to replace obsolete barriers, as it was finding them increasingly difficult to maintain and users were finding them increasingly difficult to use.
The interface between the gates and lights took around six months to develop, install and commission in a £30 000 project.
Five other sites have been identified where similar equipment could be installed.
Click to expand...
I am surprised that the cost including development was as little as £30,000. Presumably any roll-outs to further crossings could cost a little less?
I assume that this development will only be cleared for use on (relatively) lightly used non-passenger routes and where signalling sections are suitable for trains to be halted in advance of a crossing that is already open for use? Or does perhaps the control system make some assumptions in that respect?
I don't think that the development could ever be suitable in the case of crossings such as 'Routs' on the Ipswich-Felixstowe line where there was an incident in 2018.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-near-miss-at-routs-xing-near-ipswich.163166/
Edited to add:
I had mis-rememberted that there were in fact 2 incidents at 'Routs'
I have just updated the other thread with more information:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...derby-road-and-trimley-stations-14-03.161947/
 
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edwin_m

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The previous design of POGO seems to me to have been deeply flawed. Without the interlock described above, a road vehicle driver could open the gates and drive through with the lights on red. As I've posted somewhere on here before, I'm sure 99% of users would assume that if the gates opened when requested, there was no train approaching. It seems that change has now been made.

I'm pretty sure there is no means of stopping a train approaching a crossing that is open for road traffic. It's simply a linking of two existing systems so that when the light is red pressing the button won't open the gates. It should combine the safety benefits of the MSL (positive indication to those crossing that no train is approaching) and the POGO (user can open and close the gates having to cross the track five times). It shouldn't cause any delay and should be suitable for any UWC (really fast or really busy lines won't have them anyway).
 
eastdyke

eastdyke

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Joined
25 Jan 2010
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1,923
Location
East Midlands
edwin_m said:
The previous design of POGO seems to me to have been deeply flawed. Without the interlock described above, a road vehicle driver could open the gates and drive through with the lights on red. As I've posted somewhere on here before, I'm sure 99% of users would assume that if the gates opened when requested, there was no train approaching. It seems that change has now been made.

I'm pretty sure there is no means of stopping a train approaching a crossing that is open for road traffic. It's simply a linking of two existing systems so that when the light is red pressing the button won't open the gates. It should combine the safety benefits of the MSL (positive indication to those crossing that no train is approaching) and the POGO (user can open and close the gates without having to cross the track five times). It shouldn't cause any delay and should be suitable for any UWC (really fast or really busy lines won't have them anyway).
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes! I have added a word for you.
I too am pretty sure that there is no means of stopping a train if the gates are open and I remain sceptical with respect to safety aspects where automated gates remain open for use with a train due. A driver can still cross with the lights on red.
Some users will regard that as counter intuitive, notwithstanding the red light and the instructions for use.
I assume that you mean that really fast or busy lines won't have POGO?
Even 125mph stretches of ECML have UWC!
 
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