UK LEVEL CROSSING TYPES

This page describes the standard arrangements at typical UK level crossings. Railway Safety Principles and Guidance, Part 2E, Level Crossings (HSE Books ISBN 0 7176 0952 9) describes the requirements in detail (RSPG2E). No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of this information. Those seeking an official view or information should contact the Level Crossing Section at HM Railway Inspectorate. Clink on the blue text to see photographs of 'typical' crossings in each paragraph. Clink on these blue text links for: Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2002 The Level Crossing Regulations 1997 The Private Crossings (Signs & Barriers) Regulations 1996 Railway Safety Principles & Guidance Part 2E Level Crossings

Public Crossings

Open Crossings (OC) Open crossings are usually found in remote areas where very light road and rail traffic is normal e.g. The Lydd Branch in Kent. The protection arrangements are passive; e.g. road and rail signs only. The motorist or pedestrian is required to 'Give Way' to the train. See Chapter 9 and Figure 6 in RSPG2E. Railway requirements are: Not more than one railway line over the road. The maximum speed of trains should be 10mph (or less). Railway Signs required: A combined Special Speed Restriction Board and Whistle Board OR a Stop, Whistle and Proceed when clear Board; an advanced warning board. Highway requirements are: An 85%tile road speed of 35mph or less. The road profile and layout should not cause blocking back or grounding resulting in obstruction of the railway. Highway Signs required: Signs to Diagrams 771, 774, 602, 778, 775, 785. Road Markings to Diagrams 1023, 1003, 1003.2, 1012.1, 1004 or 1004.1. Operational limitations: A peak of traffic moment of 30 or less. A daily traffic moment should not exceed 2000. A actual daily total of <200 road vehicles. (Traffic Moment = road x rail vehicles in given period) Other requirements: The road and rail drivers must have clear visibility of each other. See Figure 10 and Table 13 in RSPG2E. Typical photograph of an Open Crossing (Unknown crossing on the Lydd Branch in Kent)

Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored (AOCL) Automatic Open Crossings are usually found in rural or semi rural areas where light road and rail traffic is normal. The protection arrangements are automatically instigated with the passage of trains. The motorist or pedestrian is required to obey the road traffic signals. See Chapter 8, Figure 5 and Appendix A in RSPG2E. They have a poor safety record. Railway requirements are: Not more than two railway lines over the crossing. The maximum speed of trains is 55mph. This speed is subject to the requirements of both visibility and Appendix A in RSPG2E, 'Stott' formula. More road traffic requires lower railway speed. Railway Signs and Signals required: A Special Speed Restriction Board (maximum 600 metres from crossing) and Advanced Warning Board. (Some AOCLs have Stop and Proceed Boards instead of Special Speed Restriction Boards). Wrong Direction Speed Restriction Boards are provided on double track lines. Drivers Red and White Flashing lights are provided on each approach including wrong road approaches. Highway requirements are: The road profile and layout should not cause blocking back or grounding resulting in obstruction of the railway. Approaches should be wide enough for vehicles to pass safely. Highway Signs required: Signs to Diagrams 771, 773, 774, 775, 777, 782 (if required by road profile), 785. Road Traffic Signals to Diagrams 776, 3014. Road Markings to Diagrams 1001, 1003.2, 1012.1, 1004 or 1004.1. Signs to Diagrams 779, 780 would be provided if the railway line concerned is electrified with overhead catenary traction supplies. Operational limitations: As defined by the 'Stott' formula, Appendix A, RSPG2E. The train driver must have visibility of the crossing from the Special Speed Restriction Board. The train driver must be able to see the Drivers White Light from the Special Speed Restriction Board. Trains must NOT arrive at the crossing in less than 27 seconds from the onset of the road traffic light sequence. Typical photograph of an Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored (Winchlesea, Sussex, from Platform)

Automatic Half Barrier Crossing, Locally Monitored (ABCL) Automatic Half Barrier Crossings, Locally Monitored are usually found in areas where the road traffic is too heavy for an AOCL. The protection arrangements are automatically instigated with the passage of trains. The motorist or pedestrian is required to obey the road traffic signals. See Chapter 7, Figures 3 & 4 in RSPG2E. Railway requirements are: Not more than two railway lines over the crossing. The maximum speed of trains is 55mph. This speed is subject to the requirements of train driver visibility of the crossing. Railway Signs and Signals required: A Special Speed Restriction Board (maximum 600 metres from crossing) and Advanced Warning Board. (Some ABCLs have Stop and Proceed Boards instead of Special Speed Restriction Boards). Wrong Direction Speed Restriction Boards are provided on double track lines. Drivers Red and White Flashing lights are provided on each approach including wrong road approaches. Highway requirements are: The road profile and layout should not cause blocking back or grounding resulting in obstruction of the railway. Approaches should be wide enough for vehicles to pass safely. No limits on road traffic levels. Highway Signs required: Signs to Diagrams 770, 773, 775, 777, 782 & 783 (if required by road profile), 784, 785 786, 787 or 788. Road Traffic Signals to Diagrams 3014. Road Markings to Diagrams 1001, 1003.2, 1012.1, 1013.1A, 1013.1D, 1014. Signs to Diagrams 779, 780 would be provided if the railway line concerned is electrified with overhead catenary traction supplies. Operational limitations: The train driver must have visibility of the crossing from the Special Speed Restriction Board. The train driver must be able to see the Drivers White Light from the Special Speed Restriction Board. Trains must NOT arrive at the crossing in less than 27 seconds from the onset of the road traffic light sequence. Typical photograph of an Automatic Half Barrier Crossing, Locally Monitored (Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire)

Automatic Half Barrier Crossing (AHBC) Automatic Half Barrier Crossings are usually found in areas where the road traffic is heavy and higher rail speeds are required. The protection arrangements are automatically instigated with the passage of trains. The motorist or pedestrian is required to obey the road traffic signals. See Chapter 6, Figures 3 & 4 in RSPG2E. Railway requirements are: Not more than two railway lines over the crossing. The maximum speed of trains is 100mph. Railway Signs and Signals required: Wrong Direction Speed Restriction Boards are provided on double track lines. A protecting signal, placed at a maximum of ten minutes running time at line speed has to be provided. The crossing is monitored from a signalbox. Highway requirements are: The road profile and layout should not cause blocking back or grounding resulting in obstruction of the railway. Approaches should be wide enough for vehicles to pass safely. No limits on road traffic levels. Highway Signs required are: Signs to Diagrams 770, 773, 775, 777, 782 & 783 (if required by road profile), 784, 785 786, 787 or 788. Road Traffic Signals to Diagrams 3014. Road Markings to Diagrams 1001, 1003.2, 1012.1, 1013.1A, 1013.1D, 1014. Signs to Diagrams 779, 780 would be provided if the railway line concerned is electrified with overhead catenary traction supplies. Operational limitations: Trains must NOT arrive at the crossing in less than 27 seconds from the onset of the road traffic light sequence. Typical photograph of an Automatic Half Barrier Crossing (Meigh, County Armagh, Northern Ireland Railways)

Manually Controlled Barrier Crossings (MCB) Manually Controlled Barrier Crossings are usually found in areas where the road traffic is heavy, and higher rail speeds are required and road traffic levels and road layout would not permit automatic operation. The protection arrangements are instigated by a signaller. The motorist or pedestrian is required to obey the road traffic signals. See Chapter 5, Figure 2 in RSPG2E. Railway requirements are: The maximum speed of trains is 125mph. Railway Signs and Signals required: Railway signals interlocked with the barriers are required. Highway requirements are: None. Highway Signs required are: Signs to Diagrams 770, 773, Road Traffic Signals to Diagrams 3014. Road Markings to Diagrams 1001, 1012.1, 1013.1A, 1013.1D, 1014. Signs to Diagrams 779, 780 would be provided if the railway line concerned is electrified with overhead catenary traction supplies. Operational limitations: The Signaller must confirm crossing clear before clearing railway signals. Typical photograph of an Manually Controlled Barrier Crossing (Low Gates, Northallerton, Yorkshire)

Manually Controlled Barrier, supervised by CCTV As Manually Controlled Barriers above except that the signaller is remote from the crossing and supervises the site by closed circuit television. Typical photograph of an Manually Controlled Barrier Crossing with CCTV (Poyntzpass, County Armagh, Northern Ireland Railways) Note the cctv camera column in centre, rear of photograph.

Footpath/Bridleway Crossings Footpath Crossings and Bridleway crossings can fall into both public and private crossings categories and are non-vehicular crossings. They are found throughout the country. Some sites are fitted with Miniature Warning/Stop lights. See Chapter 11 in RSP&G2E. Railway requirements are: The maximum speed of trains should not exceed 100mph. There should be no more than two railway tracks. Railway Signs and Signals required: None. Highway requirements: No specific requirements, however crossing times are based on surfaces that are either level with the rail head or at sleeper level. Visibility of approaching trains is required. Highway Signs required are: See The Private Crossings (Signs & Barriers) Regulations 1996 Operational limitations: The gates or stiles must be identical on each side of the railway. The user is expected to use common sense to cross safely. They must have more warning time than the time taken to cross between decision points. Typical photograph of an Footpath Crossing Unknown location in the New Forest.

Private Crossings

User Worked Vehicular Crossings (Occupation and Accommodation Crossings) Occupation and Accommodation crossings were provided when the railway was originally built to enable landowners continued access to lands that was divided by the railway. Occupation crossings were provided to maintain access to properties; Accommodation crossings are usually field to field crossings, 'accommodating' the landowner. Railway requirements are: The maximum speed of trains should not exceed 100mph. There should be no more than two railway tracks. Railway Signs and Signals required: None. Highway requirements: No specific requirements, however crossing times are based on surfaces that are either level with the rail head or at sleeper level. Visibility of approaching trains is required. Highway Signs required are: See The Private Crossings (Signs & Barriers) Regulations 1996 Operational limitations: The gates open away from the railway. The user is responsible for their own safety. They must have 5 seconds more warning time than it takes to cross. There is a legal duty to obey the instructions on the signs displayed at the crossing. Typical photograph of an Occupation Crossing Robinsons, near Lisburn, Northern Ireland Railways. Typical photograph of an Accommodation Crossing Unknown location between Bleach Green and Muckamore, near Doagh, Northern Ireland Railways.

22 Jan 06 06:14:15