Level Crossing Misuse

Definition

This measures all safety related incidents on level crossings. Any occurrence of a train striking a road vehicle on a level crossing is equal to 1 equivalent collision; other events are weighted at 0.1 equivalent collisions.

Results

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Commentary

Level Crossing misuse continues to constitute the largest single category of train accident risk.  Approximately 25% of this risk is to people inside the train and 75% of the risk to people inside the road vehicles.

During 2007/08 there has been an 8% increase in level crossing misuse events. This increase has been driven by events involving pedestrian users of level crossings with 8 pedestrian fatalities in 2007/08 compared with 3 the previous year. Road vehicle misuse events reduced by 7%, and there were 8 train collisions with road vehicles compared with 13 the previous year.

During 2007/08 Network Rail continued its strategy for reduction of risk at level crossings based on; a programme of risk assessment to identify reasonably practicable measures for risk reduction; the continued reduction (i.e. closures) in the numbers of level crossings where justified; effective operation and maintenance; and education of the public on the risks of level crossing misuse.

In January 2007 Network Rail commenced a programme of assessing the risks at all level crossings using the All Level Crossing Risk Model (ALCRM). By 31 December 2007 a total of 3700 level crossings, including all public road crossings and all station foot crossings, had been risk assessed using the ALCRM. By 11 January 2010 all active level crossings will have been assessed using the ALCRM.

These assessments have provided a greater understanding and prioritisation of level crossing risk and allow Network Rail to better target investment for closure, upgrade or further risk mitigation where reasonably practicable.

Network Rail has continued to evolve and implement the ‘Don’t Run The Risk’ public awareness campaign to educate users on how to use level crossings correctly and to warn them of the dangers of misuse. This included a hard hitting television advert on prime time television supported by national and local media. Local radio, regional press adverts, outdoor posters and direct marketing to local residents were used to target “hot spot” level crossings with the highest levels of misuse. Private farmers were also sent education packs reminding them of how to correctly use their crossings.