SAT NAV TECHNOLOGY TO HELP DRIVE DOWN LEVEL CROSSING INCIDENTS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL

Thursday 9 Jun 2011

SAT NAV TECHNOLOGY TO HELP DRIVE DOWN LEVEL CROSSING INCIDENTS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Western; | Wales & Western

All the 180 level crossings in Devon and Cornwall are mapped in a first-of-its-kind sat nav technology, which will help improve awareness of level crossings and encourage safer driving in these regions.

A free downloadable application, which alerts drivers with a cheery train whistle sound that they are approaching a road level crossing has been developed by Network Rail and leading satellite navigation provider Garmin. There are around 40 road crossings in Devon and Cornwall.

It is hoped the new technology will encourage safer motoring and reduce the number of incidents which cause damage, disruption and a number of deaths each year.

This news comes as the Network Rail, together with First Great Western and British Transport Police, targets two of Devon and Cornwall’s busiest level crossings at Paignton and Truro to promote the safe use of crossings. This is part of the international level crossing awareness day, when around 40 countries are organising activities to promote safety at level crossings.

In the last 12 months there have been around 30 road level crossing incidents in Devon and Cornwall due to road vehicles using level crossings in an unsafe way. Among these incidents include a collision between a van and a train at Halloon LC in February this year. The van driver, who pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, was fined and got 6 penalty points on his licence.

Liz Heading, community safety manager for Network Rail said: "Motorists that jump the lights or smash into barriers as they try and beat them coming down can cause great disruption and cost to the network, so we’re always looking at new ways to reduce the risk of incidents at level crossings.

"Sat nav technology has proved to be a great help to motorists in alerting them to what’s ahead on the road, so developing an app around level crossings seemed a smart idea and we hope it will be a useful aid to motorists as the roads and the railway get even busier."

Anthony Chmarny, Garmin head of communications said, "The development of this free level crossing application shows the ongoing commitment we have to ensure our sat nav customers have the very best travel information at the tip of their fingers. We believe this will help to save time, money and most importantly improve drivers’ safety during their journey."

Sargeant Dave Mannion, officer in charge at BTP Exeter, said: “Level crossings are perfectly safe when used correctly. Sadly, though, there are a number of people who seem content to take unnecessary risks at crossings just to save a few minutes. I cannot over-emphasise just how dangerous this is. The warning signs and barriers are there for a reason – to protect people – and those who fail to heed the warnings are putting themselves and others at risk.”

“That some people are still prepared to run the risk of serious injury to knock seconds or minutes off their journey time is simply staggering. We will continue to take actions against those who misuse crossings and will work with Network Rail to carry out further days of action to drive home the message.”

The free application can be downloaded onto Garmin nüvi or nüLink sat navs from its website. Similar to choosing options that alert you to approaching speed cameras, the device whistles like a train and an ‘X’ appears on the screen with the name of the level crossing so motorists can approach and cross with care*.

The companies are also looking into developing an intelligent version where motorists can choose to set a journey to avoid level crossings. They also want to develop the application so the sat nav would alter your route to avoid a level crossing where the barriers are down for a significant period of time, if the alternative was quicker.

Network Rail is also currently exploring the use of a purpose-built marked police van equipped with license plate recognition camera technology to lift the lid on the scale of the problem in England and Wales.

Notes to editors

* The Highways Code says:

Level crossings

291

A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramway line. Approach and cross it with care. Never drive onto a crossing until the road is clear on the other side and do not get too close to the car in front. Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing.

292

Overhead electric lines. It is dangerous to touch overhead electric lines. You MUST obey the safe height warning road signs and you should not continue forward onto the railway if your vehicle touches any height barrier or bells. The clearance available is usually 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) but may be lower.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD 2002 reg 17(5)]

293

Controlled crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights (see 'Light signals controlling traffic' and 'Warning signs') and an audible alarm for pedestrians. They may have full, half or no barriers.

· you MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights

· you MUST stop behind the white line across the road

· keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on

· do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing

· you MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash. This means another train will be passing soon

· only cross when the lights go off and barriers open

· never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because a train is approaching

· at crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 40]

294

Railway telephones. If you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle, a long, low vehicle with a risk of grounding, or herding animals, a train could arrive before you are clear of the crossing. You MUST obey any sign instructing you to use the railway telephone to obtain permission to cross. You MUST also telephone when clear of the crossing if requested to do so.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 16(1)]

295

Crossings without traffic lights. Vehicles should stop and wait at the barrier or gate when it begins to close and not cross until the barrier or gate opens.

296

User-operated gates or barriers. Some crossings have ‘Stop’ signs and small red and green lights. You MUST NOT cross when the red light is showing, only cross if the green light is on. If crossing with a vehicle, you should

· open the gates or barriers on both sides of the crossing

· check that the green light is still on and cross quickly

· close the gates or barriers when you are clear of the crossing

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 52(2)]

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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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