Redcar Level Crossing Accident (01/05/2024)

[Lockwood]

Daft question from the cheap seats...

Would it be possible/permitted to install a flashing white light for the crossing in a position where it is visible to the driver?

Almost like a level crossing banner repeater?


Not just for here, but where there is very poor visibility of a crossing/history of barrier issues?
It would at least give the driver some warning about the state of the crossing. Though that may make drivers get a false sense of security from a flashing light but still having an issue ahead.

 

[plugwash]

As often said to me by a very senior and well respected senior operations manager. The most dangerous words on the railway .. pass it at danger !! You have then p****d every system protection out of the window

If people can't override one protection measure, then they are left with no choice but to override the whole system. If system unreliability means they are doing that on a regular basis then there is a risk of complacency.

 

[andy33gmail]

Thinking about the road equivalent. You can only go through a red light when directed by a constable.

Would that solution have worked? I.e. require the signaller or some other staff member stand on the line/crossing and direct in order to pass a signal at danger?

That of course naturally leads to the limitation of trains only being allowed to SPAD at walking speed

I guess where this comes unstuck is as soon as you introduce a second train…

 

[BrummieBobby]

Thinking about the road equivalent. You can only go through a red light when directed by a constable.

Would that solution have worked? I.e. require the signaller or some other staff member stand on the line/crossing and direct in order to pass a signal at danger?

That of course naturally leads to the limitation of trains only being allowed to SPAD at walking speed

I guess where this comes unstuck is as soon as you introduce a second train…

Surely that is what happens with S5; the signaller gives their verbal authority for the driver to pass the signal at danger.

 

[edwin_m]

Thinking about the road equivalent. You can only go through a red light when directed by a constable.

Would that solution have worked? I.e. require the signaller or some other staff member stand on the line/crossing and direct in order to pass a signal at danger?

That of course naturally leads to the limitation of trains only being allowed to SPAD at walking speed

I guess where this comes unstuck is as soon as you introduce a second train…

In this case perhaps the signaller could have been required to display a green flag or some other handsignal from the box. But for most crossings there is no signal box adjacent, so a member of staff would have to be found and got to site before any train could move. They would also need to have a place of safety considering both road and rail traffic.

 

[IanXC]

How often would a signaller typically give instructions to a driver to pass a red signal like this? I.e. is it a daily, weekly, yearly, once-per-career event?

From the signallers perspective the answer to this is probably significantly influenced by the signal box(es) they work. Whether the box is Absolute Block, Track Circuit Block or Axle Counters will have a significant impact on the number of occasions I though think - even the age of the equipment will be a factor.

From a driver's perspective I'd think something around monthly.