Level crossing

A level crossing (abbreviation: BU ), also railway crossing ( EK, Austria ) is a level crossing of a railway line by a road, a path or a place. The intersection of a railway by a road, a path or a place on different levels ( bridge / viaduct ) is called overpass or underpass. Transitions for travelers to reach a platform shall be regarded as travelers crossing ( RBM ).

• 2.1 Belgium
• 2.2 Denmark
• 2.3 France
• 2.4 Finland
• 2.5 United Kingdom
• 2.6 Luxembourg
• 2.7 The Netherlands
• 2.8 Sweden
• 2.9 Czech Republic and Slovakia

• 3.1 Australia
• 3.2 Israel
• 3.3 USA
• 3.4 Madagascar

• 7.1 Notes and references

German -speaking Countries

Germany

On railway lines with a speed exceeding 160 km / h railway crossings are not allowed in Germany. During the construction of railway lines, so-called new lines, even if the speed limit is only up to 160 km / h, and the construction of new crossings usually not approved. More details on this regulates the railway crossing Act ( EKrG ). On the main routes in the network of the Deutsche Bahn, the aim is to reduce the number of level crossings and on. They are replacement closed or replaced by over-or underpasses.

Austria

In Austria, the intersection of the road is, with the track body officially railway crossing ( EK ).

Switzerland

The St. Andrew's crosses are kept white with red border. They can be placed either vertically or horizontally, with duplicate on multiple track lines diagonal crosses are attached. On railway lines with a speed exceeding 160 kilometers per hour crossings are not permitted.

Flashing light signals consist of a triangular black panel with two arranged at the same height red alternating flashing lights or a red flashing light signal. In cases of lack of clarity rotating lights are increasingly used. At crossings with flashing light signals of restricted crossing and Ungated railroad crossing a supplementary plaque with the inscription " flashing light " accompanied by the signs. Fuses only with flashing light signals and without barrier are listed in Switzerland on roads that can be traveled at a speed of more than 50 kilometers per hour, inadmissible. Many a used light installations ( "yellow- red"). Similar to the German call barriers need barriers exist. One also distinguishes between half and full barrier systems. There is also a special feature of warning lights at level crossings in the form of so-called flash lights that are used instead of the usual flashing lights when the transition after many pages instead must be secured in one direction only.

Rest of Europe

Belgium

In Belgium show all backed crossings their readiness for operation by a constantly flashing white light. If a train is approaching, it shuts down and the red flashing lights flash alternately. Not flashing white light, as is to be expected with a defect of the level crossing and the crossing with the same caution as with a non-technical rail crossing. The simple diagonal crosses show a track, the double diagonal crosses two or more tracks (see picture). More often the sign " prohibition for vehicles of all kinds " (character 250 ) is attached to the bar.

Denmark

In Denmark, in the crossings Andrew's crosses, which are red and white. Among the St. Andrew's crosses is ( at automatically backed crossings) a downward-pointing blue triangle with red and white border. In this triangle is the red flashing light system, which starts flashing of the approaching train. At the same time a bell factory sounds. The chime only rings to the half- barrier or the barrier has fully closed (with 2 parts barriers: If one barrier part has closed), but the indicator light flashes, even with closed gates on. In unguarded level crossings the ringtone continues to ring until the red flashing light goes out.

France

In France, are not technically level crossings with a St. Andrew's cross and additionally secured with a hanging on the same mast stop sign. More tracks are indicated by an extended cross of St. Andrew. The beschrankten crossings with flashing light system do not have a St. Andrew's cross. Under the crossing with traffic sign stands in France in an automatic plant always signal Automatique, otherwise there is a transition from one item serviced. There are still some warden served facilities in France. On very many crossings the sign " UN TRAIN PEUT EN cacher UN AUTRE ", which points to the danger depends that on the rear track another train can come, which was concealed by the train on the front track. To non- technically secure transitions whistle board be set up with the letter S, so that the driver whistles and the road warns.

Signs: 1 Ungated railway crossing Second crossing with 3 St. Andrew's Cross for single-track railway with stop sign 4 Andrew's cross for multi-track railway with stop sign

Level crossing with full barriers statements and flashing lights

Full mechanical barrier and pedestrian door

Railroad crossing with half barriers and additional light

Finland

In Finland, the warning crosses and barriers are to be found in the color red-yellow. In the limits of automatic level crossings warning lights are integrated.

The technically secure crossings have warning bells over the St. Andrew's crosses. Proceeds through the transition an overhead line, this is indicated by a yellow addition sign with lightning bolt. In non-secure state, a white lamp flashes under the warning cross. Seam a train, so goes the white light and the red flashing lights, today usually alternating flashing lights, flashing and ringing the warning bells. Sometimes the warning bell with the ringing stops when the train reaches the crossing. Not technically level crossings have at least a warning cross in each direction. As in other countries is also displayed here by simple diagonal crosses that the railway line is single-track and double diagonal crosses, that is two-pronged.

Great Britain

In the UK there are similar to the Luxembourg equipment to secure crossings hazard warning lights. If a train is approaching, lights up for 4 seconds a steady yellow light, which then turns off, and two red alternating flashing lights are active. This hazard warning lights alone there are no barriers or in combination with half and full barriers. There are also more often warden operated level crossings. One can still encounter crossings with folding or sliding gates frequently. An unguarded level crossings Andreas crosses are mounted in each case.

Luxembourg

In Luxembourg the most level crossings are secured with a flashing light system, which is similar to the German strong. Unlike in Germany, there are at beschrankten crossings no diagonal crosses. At beschrankten crossings is a white-red striped pole in each direction. That a black surface is attached, in the two flashing lights are installed, which alternately flash when the transition is assured. These facilities are exclusively controlled signal. Not technically assured and technically secure unguarded railway crossings have a horizontal cross of St. Andrew.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the appearance of the beschrankten crossings of the USA with alternating flashing lights similar. Before each level crossing is at least a St. Andrew's cross in each direction. As in other countries is also displayed here by simple diagonal crosses that the railway line is single track or double diagonal crosses that it is multiple fronts. All railroad crossing species usually have on both sides of white-red shaded warning beacons, where often a blue warning sign is attached.

Unguarded railway crossings with a light warning device does not exist anymore since 2007. They were provided or shut down all barriers with either.

Sweden

In Sweden, the trains may run with the following maximum speed on level crossings: 140 km / h without barriers, 160 km / h barrier, 200 km / h with a barrier and obstacle detector. Road users a maximum of 70 km / h without barriers with signal, 90 km / h barrier. In Sweden there are 8,500 level crossings (as of 2005), of which around 2,000 with barriers. There are 26 on the E45 and five on other European routes.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the road signals the technically secure crossings indicate their operational readiness and basic position by a white flashing lamp. Road users are permitted to access the crossing in this case at 50 km / hr. Approaching a train, the top two red lights flash alternately. As long as the train after switch off is in the approach route the opposite direction, the road signals are dark. The crossing must be passed by road users at 30 km / hr. The road signals are available as maintenance lighting systems or in combination with half or full barriers. In any case, transverse diagonal crosses are attached to unguarded level crossings. Signs with the red inscription Pozor Vlak ( "Attention train " ) also on call for special caution, especially at unguarded railroad crossings that are still very common there in the Czech Republic.

Outside Europe

Australia

Second warning to a level crossing of the Central Australian Railway

Finally: railroad crossing the Central Australian Railway - the Look for trains warns usually in vain

Israel

The regime in Israel is largely of German in terms of signs.

USA

In the U.S., each railroad crossing is secured with at least one traffic sign " Railroad Cross" in each direction. Is at the railroad crossing more than one track to cross, as the number of tracks is indicated on a label underneath the St. Andrew's Cross. Crosses a major road, a railway line, so save half barriers and flashing lights change the level crossing. Most of these barrier systems have a mechanical or electronic warning bell.

There used to in the U.S. instead of today's flashing plants called " Wig- Wags ": On one or both sides of the level crossing were masts with the warning cross, on which hung a movable disk with a red lantern. Approached a train, so the disc is moved by a permanent red light in a rocking motion back and forth and a warning bell sounded. Recently, there are warning systems, which reflect the whistle of a locomotive (in the U.S. mostly with polyphonic vocal) through speakers at the railroad crossing to inform road users about the approach of a train. In order for the noise to be reduced for on the railway line living ends.

Wig- Wags

Madagascar

On the island of Madagascar, there is a special feature, the rail line Manakara Fianarantsoa - crosses the runway of the airport Manakara same level. A crossing a railroad track with a runway is known only from Pakistan, there are, however, no regular trains more.

Legal framework

• Railway Crossing Act
• State traffic laws: Road Traffic Regulations ( Germany ) " The railroad crossing in the road traffic regulations" (PDF ) (98 kB)