A Project Reporton

“Study of the Inspection Proforma for Manned/Un-

Manned Level Crossings of All Zonal Railways and Design of

A Standard Proforma”

Executive Summary

It has been seen that there is no uniformity in the proforma being followed by different Zonal Railways & same are deficient in one way or the other.

 

The Standing Inspection Proforma of various Zonal Railways, various CRS Reports on Accidents at Level Crossings, Safety Bulletins, IRPWM, Inspection Procedures of Foreign Railways and Signal Engineering Manual have been studied and a Standard Booklet including a standard proforma for inspection of manned/unmanned level crossing has been developed.. Also, to increase the general level of safety at level crossings common inspections with road authorities has been emphasised.

Introduction

* One LC at every 1.5 route km (avg.).

* About 75-80% accidents at LC occur on U/M LCs.

Objective of Inspection

* To check physical condition of LC,

* To avoid accidents,

* To improve safety level at LC.

Shortcomings in the existing system of level crossing inspection over various zonal railways

Track Parameters, Exchange of Private Numbers, Census Particulars, Details of accidents, reporting of Hot- Axle, PME &

RC, Height Gauge, Fusee, Safety Chains and Competency Certificate and Staff Declaration

CRS Recommendations

Exchange of Pvt. Nos.as laid down, use of

Modified Banner Flags, Details of accidents, hot-axle, flat tyre, Conditions of road surface, lifting barriers, Wall clock, potable water, Competency Certificate, Gate Working

Rule, PME, RC etc and Census @ 2 years.

Basics behind ‘Format’ of Standard Inspection Booklet

Minimization of inspection effort without compromising on the quality of inspection, Utilization of inspection time more effectively and meaningfully, Avoidance of repeated inspection of permanent/ semi-permanent features of LCs, Ensuring inclusion of most of the items related to track & road design and safety and Inclusion of check-lists.

Contents of proposed LC Inspection Booklet-

Duties of Gateman-DOs & DON’Ts, LC’s Features, Duty Roster, PME & RC, Overhauling particulars, Consumable Items, Uniform, list of Tools & Equipments, Details of accidents, reporting of Hot-Axle,Flat Tyre etc., Staff Declaration, Competency Certificate, Details of attention to LC by Technicians , List of questions to be asked from gateman and Std. Proforma for Inspection of Manned/Un-Manned

LCs.

Proforma for Inspection of Manned Level Crossing

Date

Name of on duty Gateman

Availability of valid Competency Certificate

Knowledge of Safety Rules

Availability of Safety Chains of adequate length with retro-reflective STOP Disc with proper fixing arrangement

Condition of gate & its connections

Availability & condition of Get Lamps & HS Lamps

  Track Items   

Length and condition of Check Rail.

Check Rail gap

Flange-way clearance & depth of check rail above distant blocks

Track Parameters of approach track including level crossing portion

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

 

Availability & working condition of Safety & other equipments & tools (as per list)

Particulars & condition of Detonators & Fusee

Display of correct Gate Protection Diagram & Safety Posters

Sight Distance of level crossing gate from road

Distance of clear view of approaching trends from level crossing gate lodge (600 m)

Distance of gate post from nearest track

Width of gates at right angle to the central line of road

Condition of STOPS & Catches provided to prevent gates from swinging toward track

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Marking of Distinct indications for fixing of Detonators & Modified Banner Flags at prescribed distances(minmum1200, 600 & 5 m for B.G. routes)

Road & approaches

Condition & length of fencing from each gate post provided parallel to track (minimum=15m)

Availability, condition & specified distances of various signs & boards in both approaches

Condition of road surface

and kerbs provided

at the age of road within gates

Width of metalling

Level & straight portions

Approach

Gradients

beyond level road

portion on both sides

Prescribed road sign boards & warning boards for road users (50 m- 120 m)

Retro-reflective W/L Board(600 m)

Between Gates (equal to the gate

width)

Outside

gate

Between Gates

Outside

gate

2021 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29   

Provision of proper rumble strips/speed breakers on either approaches & its condition (maximum distance = 20 m)

Working condition of Interlocking arrangement, if applicable

Working condition of gate telephone

Availability of Private Number Book & correct exchange of Private Number

Working condition of warning bell operated by approaching train, if applicable & provided

Condition of Wicket Gates

Proper & adequate illumination of level crossing area and road approaches

For electrified routes, conditions, distance from nearest track and clearances of Height Gauge (minimum 8 m & clearance 4.67 m)

Condition of gate goomtee

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

13PROFORMA FOR INSPECTION OF UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSING

 ………………………………RAILWAY

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Divison_______________Subdivison_______________Section_______________Between stations_______________ Level crossing no_______________Class of level crossing_______________Location_______________ a)     Class of road & maintenance authority_______________b)     Level Crossing is located in square or skew_______________c)     Level crossing is located on straight/curve_______________(1)              track_______________(2)              Road_______________d)     TVU and date census_______________e)     Overhauling done on_______________Due on_______________f)       Whether All Cautionary & STOP Boards are retro reflective type_______________  

 

Name of Inspecting official & Designation

Items of Inspection

Date of inspectio

n1.Length of2.Check rail Gap3.flange way clearance

 

Track parameters on the approaches as well as on level crossing

Availability of gate post painted white, its distances from nearest track

ROAD1.Road width2. Road surface & Kerbs3.Length of levelled Road in between & 5m minimum beyond gate post4.Approch Gradient

1 2 3 4 5 6

14

Speed breakers within railway boundary not executing 20 M

Stop board in prescribed legend at 5m distance from nearest track on both approaches

Warning Board for road user (50m –120m)

W/L board(600m) Visibility (600 m) Height Gauge1.Distance (minimun-8.00m)2.Clearence (4.67m) ( on electrified section)

7 8 9 10 11 12

     Whether duty Bunks & staff

quarters if any and of no future use have been permanently painted ‘Abandoned’ in Local, Hindi & English languages and Scripts and are visible on both road approaches from at least 10m in rear of speed breakers

Suggestions fora.Closing of U/M LCb.Manningthe U/M L.Cc.Improving the visibility of rail/road user

13 14

How to make an inspection more effective The safeguarding of level crossing is by itself a common interest to

the two crossing transport networks i.e. by Railway and Roadway. In general, the inspection of level crossing is done independently by railway side and unfortunately, the inspections are not co-ordinated with roadside authorities and therefore, they do not take place at the same time. It is worth mentioning here that there remain items that can only be dealt with during a common inspection and therefore there is a need of co-ordination, comprehension and, if necessary, discussion and decision.

There are no doubt that a common inspection is able to procure an added value to the general level of safety on the level crossing specially the busy ones.

Conclusion

Contains almost all the items related to track and road design & safety

Will tap the probability of missing the important inspection items, inadvertently,

Ensures the uniformity of LC’s inspection over all IR,

Will facilitate in making uniform policy decisions, Comparison of maintenance status of LCs, Improvement in safety level at LCs.