Title: THE BEST LEVEL CROSSING IS ONE THAT DOESN'T EXIST
Abstract: Finland has almost one level crossing for every kilometer of its 5854 km network, and at present time, there are 50 level crossing accidents (with 10 fatalities) each year. The article reviews a study conducted for the Finnish Rail Administration (RHK) that had a goal to reduce the number of level crossing accidents to 40. The study selected one of the busiest level crossings in Finland, a half barrier crossing that controls a highway over three tracks, and serves a local station. The crossing is used by over 2000 vehicles a day with 110 trains per day. The study recorded 3328 activations of barriers, and violation on 460 occasions during the 30-day study period. The study noted that 15% of vehicles, 72% of pedestrians and bicyclists ignored the warnings. Extrapolating the results, the study concluded that one third of all violations in the country occurred at 35 level crossings with the highest traffic volumes, which makes these crossings candidates for replacement by an underpass or an overpass.
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-04-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
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