9 June 2011, 39 countries working for road safety Awareness day to promote road safety rules at...

press file

Au pAssAge à niveAu,

protégeons nos vies

www.securite-passageaniveau.fr

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InternatIonal level CrossIng road safety day 2011• june 9 2011

Contents of press file on international level Crossing road safety day 2011

> press release

> national campaign 2011

> laura flessel, the face of the campaign 2011

> roadside campaigns in the regions

> national press Conference

> dangerous driving behaviour target by the 2011 campaign

> level crossings, a crossroads with a difference

> 7 actions under the state’s safety improvement policy

> innovating to improve safety

>three examples of upgraded level crossings

> interview with lucette vanlaecke, rff area Manager (nord, pas de Calais, picardie)

> the rules of the road

> Campaign partners

> press contacts

> appendiX

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press release

9 june 2011, 39 CountrIes workIng for road safety

awareness day to promote road safety rules at level CrossIngsInternational road safety at level crossings day will be on June 9th next. Network Rail France (RFF) and the Highways and Traffic Safety Authority (DSCR), backed by the French Ministry of Transport and working with local authorities, the Road Safety Association and the French railways (SNCF), are organising a day of risk awareness and prevention, with a series of actions aimed at all road users through national poster, radio and internet campaigns.

Communication with good returnsIn France, 98% of accidents that occur on level crossings are the result of highway code offenses: high approach speeds, loss of vehicle control, circumventing the gates or not respecting the stop sign. In 2010, 110 crashes on level crossing led to 25 deaths. Accident rates have been halved in ten years thanks to improvements and closures of level crossings carried out by RFF, the State and local authorities, and to awareness campaigns. Last year RFF recorded a 30% fall in the number of deaths against 2009.

the 2011 campaign targets dangerous drivingThe State, the Highways and Traffic Safety Authority, RFF and their partners are stepping up their attempts to change driver behaviour by raising awareness of the dangers. The new campaign (see technical appendix) focuses on three people who, through everyday situations, will see their lives change dramatically by taking unforced risks. All the situations could have been avoided with some common sense, patience and by following the highway code.

roadside actions with police patrolsOriginally launched under an RFF initiative in 2008, roadside actions will be carried out by the Area Offices of RFF for the whole day on June 9th targeting road users on 12 level crossings, with support from the Police, local authorities, SNCF and the Traffic Accident Prevention Association.

press ContaCt:

Meddtl, Ministry of transport: Marion LAMURETel: +33 1 40 81 21 [email protected]

network rail france (rff): Manon HERAIL Tel: +33 01 53 94 31 38 [email protected]

agence verte : Sophie NUNZIATI Tel: +33 01 53 00 11 06 [email protected]

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teCHniCal appendiX

presentation of the 2011 campaignThe campaign will involve:• Posters displayed in the towns targeted by the operation, available online at• www.securite-passageaniveau.fr;• Banners displayed on 70 sites with high traffic density;• Radio ads exhorting 25 million listeners to respect the rules for highway safety;• 110,000 educational questionnaires given out in the major cities of France from June 8-22 2011.

key figures• 18,364 level crossings in France with just under 15,000 open to public use for trains and vehicles;

• Every day some 16 million vehicles drive over level crossings in France with almost 450,000 shutting to allow trains through;

• In 2009 and 2010, the State, RFF and local authorities invested €105 million to remove or improve level cros-sings;

• In 2010, 100 level crossings were closed altogether and 150 more were upgraded.

more Info, more vIdeos, more features at:

www.securite-passageaniveau.fr

the worldwIde sIte:

www.ilcad.com

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tHe 2011 CaMpaign“saving lives on level Crossings”The campaign targets the general public and more specifically dangerous driving behaviour. “We may all, at one time or another, take risks to save a few minutes,” is the theme chosen by RFF to illustrate the 2011 campaign.

The campaign does not try to stigmatise any section of the public, but rather serves as a reminder that if you drive “carefully” and follow the rules of safe driving, level crossings need not be dangerous.

The campaign shows three people who, through three everyday scenarios, see their lives turned upside down. “Impulsive”, “Unaware” and “Impatient” are all high risk situations where these people could have survived if they had shown greater awareness, more patience and a better regard for the highway code.

This original accident prevention campaign will run at the same time as the roadside actions carried out by RFF and its partners.

Campaign visualsThe campaign will be highly visible:• On sites near the level crossings used for the day of 9 June 2011• On 1000 road accident prevention signs• On 4x3 hoardings in the cities and regions covered by the campaign

other media• The campaign will be relayed over the internet through www.securite-passageaniveau.fr and with banners on

June 9th at sites with high traffic density.• 110,000 educational questionnaires will be handed out in Bordeaux, Le Havre, Lille-Roubaix, Lyon, Marseille-Aix,

Montpellier, Nantes, Strasbourg and Toulouse from 8 - 22 June 2011.• A radio ad, recorded by Laura FLESSEL, two times Olympic fencing champion and the face of the campaign, will

go out on 120 local and themed radio stations on June 9th to exhort everyone to respect safety rules.

to download images from the campaign or to hear the add go to www.securite-passageaniveau.fr

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laura flessel, faCe of the CampaIgn Enregistré par Laura FLESSEL, afin de donner plus de force au message de prévention, un spot radio sera diffusé le 9 juin sur 120 radios locales, régionales et thématiques pour toucher 25 millions d‘auditeurs. Laura FLESSEL s’engage aux côtés de RFF.

4 questions to laura flessel, two times olympic champion and world champion in epée.

why did you agree to team up with rff on this awareness campaign around level crossings?RFF has been a partner for the French Fencing Association since the World Fencing Championships in 2010. This is very good news for our association and for our sport which deserves more recognition. Our sport is not only France’s biggest medal winner at the Olympic games; fencing and its champion athletes also convey certain strong values that are shared by RFF. So, when RFF asked me to join their awareness cam-paign, it was the obvious thing to do – partly to help convey the accident prevention message, but also to share my own strong beliefs regarding safety and the need to respect the highway code.

what values are there in fencing that also apply to road safety?In 33 years of fencing, with 20 of them at the highest level, I have never had an acci-dent. This is down to the attention to detail that the international fencing authorities put into safety. Every fencer is taught from a very young age about the need for safety and it becomes a reflex throughout your life. Before every bout, our uniform and our weapons are meticulously inspected by a technical controller and by the referees. On the piste, we look out for the safety of our opponents, as they do for us. We are in combat, of course, but not at the price of our safety and our lives.

Most level crossing accidents are due to speed or the fact of being in a hurry. what do you think of that?A very straightforward idea that every fencer will understand: respect. In level crossing accidents, this basic concept that should govern the behaviour of any road user is ignored. By ignoring the specific signs or rules of level crossings you are putting your life and that of other people in danger. And for what? In a hurry to get to work? Going to the cinema? Picking up you child from school perhaps? No reasons used to explain accidents are good enough to justify sacrificing a life. Life is such a precious gift, it deserves more respect.

what sort of driver are you?When I drive, I respect other road users – even though I have to admit that it is not always easy in a city like Paris! I think it should be “be nice at the wheel day” for 365 days a year. I have a ten-year-old daughter. She’ll be old enough to drive in a few years. When we are in the car, I show her the potential dangers on the roads and I explain the meaning of the road signs. I am gradually teaching her the basics and introducing the notions of respect that my mother taught me. Parents play a key role in educating their children about how to behave as future road users.

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presentation of tHe roadside operation in tHe regions

on june 9th, awareness and accident prevention campaigns will be carried out with road users at 12 level crossings For the 4th year running Network Rail France (RFF) and the Highways and Traffic Safety Authority are organising an awareness campaign at level crossings. This year, nearly 40 countries around the world will be campaigning at the same time.

At the 12 selected level crossings, banners displaying the message “Saving lives on level crossings” will show road users that the campaign is on. They will also serve to remind drivers waiting at the gate of the safety rules via a questionnaire. Stickers will be placed on the windscreens of cars and bikes showing their drivers’ commitment to be careful at level crossings. This operation will take place all over the country and is run by RFF with the support of the Police, local authorities, the SNCF and the Road Safety Association.

out in the regionson june 9th the 12 sites selected for the field operation are:• Obernai en Alsace (Bas Rhin) • Auterive en Midi-Pyrénées (Haute Garonne) • Auxerre en Bourgogne (Yonne) • Le Havre en Haute (Seine Maritime)• Hondeghem in the Nord Pas de Calais (Nord)• Vierzon in le Centre (Cher)• Clisson in Pays de la Loire (Loire Atlantique)• St Germain sur Morin in Ile de France (Seine et Marne)• La Verpillière in Rhône-Alpes (Isère)• Manosque in PACA (Alpes de Haute Provence)• Baillargues in Languedoc-Roussillon (Hérault)• Le Teich in Aquitaine (Gironde)

Map showing level crossings selected for 2011 operation

(SEE AppENdIx foR dEScRIpTIoN of SITES)

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national press ConferenCethursday june 9th 3:30 – 4:30 pM level crossing n°8 at st germain sur Morin

On international level crossing safety day, Thierry Mariani, Minister for Transport, Hubert du Mesnil, Chairman and Managing Director of RFF, Michèle Merli, Executive Officer for Road Traffic and Safety, Bernard Pottier, Chairman of the Road Safety Association, will take part in the campaign at this level crossing in Seine et Marne.

The level crossing is 46 kms from Paris on a main road near a commuter station and is used every day by 8,000 vehicles, 34 trains and 4 school bus lines. A plan for a tram-train line will double the number of trains using it in the coming years.

The level crossing was recently fitted with overhead LED lights to improve visibility for drivers.

June 9th will provide us with an opportunity to remind everyone of the road safety rules that apply at level crossings.

Directions to ST GERMAIN SUR MORIN

Saint-Germain-sur-Morin

Couilly-Pont-aux-DamesRue de paris

Av F

och

Rue de Melun

D436

D934

A4

D934

D436

Av Constant Coquelin

Paris

Mea

ux

Metz

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dangerous drIvIng habIts targeted by tHe 2011 CaMpaignThe number of accidents on level crossings has been declining for ten years from 238 to 110 in 2010.In 2010, the number of deaths was the lowest ever, confirming the downward trend with 25 killed against 36 in 2009 and 55 ten years ago.

what are the main causes of accidents?In over 98% of cases, the accident is the result of not following the highway code and more specifically:Vehicles approaching too fast, unable to stop, crash into the passing train;Circumventing the gates like a chicane (cars, pedestrians, cyclists);Ignoring the STOP sign (level crossings with the cross of St Andrew);

30 – 50% of level crossings record incidents of road users going through in violation of the rules.

what makes people take these risks?This is what RFF wanted to find out with INRETS (the national office for research on transport safety) through a survey carried out in 2009 on the causes behind accidents and rule breaking.

The results show that the main reasons people ignore the signals at level crossings are:

• They think the waiting time is too long when a train takes just 30 seconds to go through;• They think they know how the cycle at the level crossing works. This generally applies to people who regularly

use that level crossing;• Some have forgotten the meaning of the signs like the triangle with a gate, the early warning sign 150 metres

before the crossing and even the cross of St Andrew;• They believe there will be no sanction but in fact jumping a flashing red light at a level crossing can result in four

points off a driving license and a fine of 135 euros.

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level Crossings: a Crossroads wIth a dIfferenCeIn 29,973 kilometres of railway track in France, RFF counts 18,364 level crossings. 15,000 of them are currently in use by the general public and are crossed by 16 million vehicles and are closed 450,000 times every day.For level crossings used by road vehicles, 10,880 are fitted with lights and automatic gates and 3,654 have no gates.

a level crossing is not like any other crossroads:• Trains travel at high speeds, up 160 kph, even through towns;• Trains are heavy, 1,500 tonnes or more;• Trains cannot stop in time, even if the driver sees an obstacle. At 90 kph a train will take 800 metres to stop,

whereas a car takes 70 metres.

a collision between a train and a car will be fatal for the car driver in about 50% of cases. by comparison, 5% of road accidents are fatal.Looking at the national breakdown, less than 1% of level crossings are on main national roads, 30% are on depart-mental roads and 70% are on local communal roads.On average, about a hundred level crossings are closed every year, replaced with another solution such as a diver-sion towards an existing bridge or tunnel or by the closure of the line or the road.On average about a hundred level crossings are upgraded with improved signalling (LED lighting, overhead lights, traffic islands, speed reduction systems on approach, etc.). 150 were upgraded in 2010.

“priority” level crossingsIn 2005, 364 level crossings were listed as “priority” (high density of road and rail traffic). There 210 of these left in 2011.

They are replaced by a bridge or a tunnel or by building a road to divert the traffic. They can be closed through local concertation between the agency managing the road, the local authorities, and users and residents.

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7 aCtIons under the state’s safety Improvement polICy, CarrIed out In partnershIp wIth rff, dsCr, terrItorIal authorItIes and snCf

1 Close priority level crossings (accounting for a high proportion of accidents) by building other road systems (bridge or tunnel over or under the track);

2 improve safety at level crossings with repeated accidents, following a report from the road authority and mainly targeting road user behaviour (traffic islands to cut out chicaning, reducing approach speeds, improving

visibility with overhead LED lights, variable message boards, etc.). RFF contributed to a SETRA (Technical Road Safety Department) draft paper and table on solutions to improve safety at level crossings (2008).

3 Close the “minor” level crossings (low traffic density) by diverting traffic onto an already existing alternative.

4 work on accident prevention by reminding drivers of the rules to be observed (one-day awareness campaigns on level crossings with police, DSCR, Road Safety agencies, territorial authorities and SNCF).

5 increase sanctions through automatic control systems (the first level crossing “radar” was installed by the DSCR in 2010 on level crossing n° 30 at Lagny le Sec / Le Plessis Belleville in the Oise department in

Picardie) and speed radars.

6 test new equipment and systems to improve safety under the National Office for Safety Improvement at Level Crossings, chaired by Claude Liebermann (with the DGITM, DSCR, EPSF, SETRA, SNCF, representatives

from local authorities and RFF);

7 avoid building new level crossings.

this policy has proved to be effective:• the number of dead has been halved in ten years• 30% fewer deaths on level crossings from 2009 to 2010

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innovating to iMprove safetyThe National Office for Safety Improvement at Level Crossings, chaired by Claude Liebermann, has been working since 1998 on behavioural studies and experiments with new equipment.

several experiments have been conclusive. for example:• Traffic islands in the middle of the road have reduced the number of people chicaning through the gates and has

also helped to cut approach speeds by drivers;• Overhead LED lights have increased visibility of the lights, particularly on roads with HGV traffic;• Variable message panels installed 300 metres before level crossings have helped cut approach speeds by dri-

vers as they brake earlier;• Radar detection systems installed by DSCR have greatly cut the number of offenses and the risk of accidents.

All these conclusive experiments are now being rolled out by RFF in collaboration with the highways agencies and many are used on some of the 12 level crossings selected for the June 9th campaign (see 3 examples below).

other ongoing experiments include: • Yellow criss-cross ground markings to improve visibility of the stopping zone and reduce the risk of accident from

vehicles stopping on the tracks (this type of marking already exists in the UK);• A new type of signal using lights (not gates) is being gradually rolled out to replace one quarter of the crossings

signalled by the cross of St Andrew.

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three examples of upgraded level Crossings

level crossing 141 at Hondeghem in the nord department:Located on the railway line from Arras to Dunkirk (97 trains a day at 160 kph) on the D161 depart-mental road (5,000 vehicles a day).

32 reported incidents over ten years including 31 broken gates and a crash between a road vehicle and a train.

Because of the amount of road and rail traffic, and the number of accidents in ten years, this level crossing is on the list of top 10 priority crossings in France.

A safety report was produced by the General Council of the Nord department and RFF in 2009. A framework convention on safety improvement at level crossings on Departmental Roads was then signed by the State, the Nord General Council and RFF in 2010. This convention is the logical extension to department level of the 2009 charter signed by the State, the Association of Departments of France and RFF.

this is the first level crossing in the department to be upgraded under this convention. major works were carried out: • The road plan was modified to facilitate crossing the tracks (S bends were straightened);• A cycle lane was added on both sides of the road;• A traffic island was built to separate the lanes and prevent chicaning;• A special road surface was laid to improve adherence and reduce braking distances;• Overhead lights were introduced to improve visibility;• Lastly, the DSCR installed two radars to detect offending vehicles.

focus on radar protection system:• This new type of radar has been under experiment since the middle of 2010. The results are conclusive: the

number of offenses, and so the risk of accident, has fallen significantly.• Once approved, it will lead to automatic punishment for drivers who jump red flashing lights at level crossings.

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level crossing 19 at auxerre in the yonne department:Located on the railway line from Laroche to Cosne (38 trains a day at 120 kph) on the RN 77 Natio-nal Road (15,000 vehicles a day with 12% HGVs).

20 reported incidents over 10 years including 2 collisions between a road vehicle and a train. The latest accident in December 2010 involved a school bus and a TER (local express train) resulting in 2 serious injuries and 20 light injuries.Because of the amount of road and rail traffic, and the number of accidents in ten years, this level crossing is listed in the top 50 priority crossings in France.A safety report was published in 2008 by the Inter-departmental Highways Agency and the RFF.A financial agreement to commit to upgrading the 17 priority level crossings on National roads was signed by the State and RFF in 2008. Preliminary studies to close or improve this level crossing have been carried out.

pending closure, improvements have already been made in 2011:• Installation of LED flashing red lights to improve visibility• Installation of yellow flashing warning lights 150 metres before the level crossing to warn approaching drivers

when it is closed

further improvements are planned before the end of 2011:• Installation of traffic lights to avoid traffic jams where the level crossing is close to a roundabout (using a system

of electro-magnetic sensors in the road surface to detect traffic build up);• Installation of a level crossing radar to reduce infringements and chicaning.

level crossing at obernai in the bas-rhin department:4 level crossings in close proximity, located in a rural area of the commune of Obernai (numbers 31, 32, 33 et 34) on the railway line from Sélestat to Saverne and on local roads with low traffic density. The four level crossings were equipped with «St Andrew crosses» (no lights, no gates) because of the level of traffic.

• There is a planned cycle path following the railway line.• An overall safety improvement plan has been introduced covering the four level crossings through a partnership

between the commune of Obernai and RFF.• 3 level crossings have been closed permanently with roads adapted to maintain and concentrate traffic flow onto

one level crossing equipped with lights and automatic gates.

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IntervIew wIth luCette vanlaeCke, rff area Manager for nord, pas de Calais, piCardie regions

International level crossing road safety day is on june 9th. how does this impact your own region?We have over 1,000 level crossings in the Nord-Pas de Calais area and so we are of course concerned by this road safety issue. Our campaign will be held on level crossing n°141 at Hondeghem, on the Departmental road D161. Our partners are also joining in. We are counting on the State, Highway Safety, the Road Safety Association, the police, local elected officials from the region and the department, SNCF and driving schools.

do you feel personally concerned by this prevention campaign?98% of accidents are due to not respecting the highway code. As Area Manager for Network Rail France, I was shocked by the accident last May 18th in the Oise department, which is a typically tragic example. International level crossing road safety day was started by RFF 3 years ago. The dangers from not observing the highway code when approaching a level crossing are massively under-estimated by drivers. That is why it is so important to work on prevention and to remind people of the rules.

other than raising awareness, what improvements have there been regarding safety in your area?The level crossing we have chosen for the roadside campaign is an illustration of the contract we signed with the State via AFIFT (The Transport Infrastructure for France Financing Agency) and the Nord department in November 2010. The contract is an integral part of the department’s road development plan and aims to improve safety at all 133 level crossings on departmental roads. It stipulates a safety report for every level crossing. Road and rail improvements will be planned over the next five years with specific attention paid to the eight priority crossings.

in concrete terms, how can innovations improve safety?If we take this level crossing as an example, we have worked with the department to improve the signalling: overhead LED lights, ground markings, road surfacing to improve braking, traffic islands to prevent chicaning, warning signs, … a whole range of improvements for RFF. We are currently experimenting with a new radar to reinforce safety and discourage dangerous manoeuvres and fast approach speeds. Anything goes from prevention, through sanctions to closing the level crossings, if we are to meet our objective of “zero deaths on level crossings.”

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the rules of the road Crossing a railway track on a level crossing is not dangerous as long as you act carefully. When driving a car, a lorry or a motorbike over a level crossing it is vital to observe the highway code and to respect the signals.

slow down when approaching a level crossing.These signs are placed 150 metres before level crossings. Slow down when you see them.

level crossings with gates and lights:Stop when the light flashes red even if the gates are not yet closed. A train could come through 25 seconds after the signal starts and it cannot stop.

level crossings with the cross of st andrew and stop sign:Stop and check to see that the track is clear with no trains coming from either direction.

level crossings with the cross of st andrew and no stop sign: slow down when approaching the sign and the level crossing and only drive through if the track is clear from both directions.

only drive onto a level crossing if you can be certain of get-ting across without stopping or getting stuck half way.

once the vehicle has started to cross, if one gate closes, do not hesitate to drive on and break the gate – it has been de-signed for that purpose.

if you encounter a problem on a level crossing:get out of the car if it is blocked on the tracks and use the telephones placed on either side of the track at automatic crossings or, if no telephone is available, dial 18 or 112.

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partners of tHe 2011 CaMpaign

rff (network rail france)At the heart of the French rail network system, RFF develops, upgrades and sells access to the railway network in a spirit of territorial solidarity on the European, National and Regional levels.As the second largest French public investor with 1,300 employees and a turnover of €4.6 billion in 2010, RFF is half way through an unprecedented modernisation programme costing €13 billion from 2008 to 2015. As part of the Grenelle de l’Environnement (French State sponsored environmental programme), RFF implements the national policy for rail track development.With industrial assets of 30,000 kms of track, RFF oversees equitable and efficient access to the French rail network for all of its clients, rail passengers and freight transport companies.

partners for the awareness campaign in france:the accident prevention day in france is organised with:• The Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Deve-

lopment, Transport and Housing,

• The Highways and Traffic Safety Authority (DSCR)

• The National Level Crossings Agency

• SNCF (French national railways)

• The Road Safety Association

• Regional and local authorities with their Prefectures

• National and local police forces.

the governing body for the international campaign

ILCAD (International Level Crossing Awareness Day) is the name of the worldwide accident prevention campaign. The operation was launched under a French initiative in 2008 and is coordinated by the European Union in Europe and by the UIC (International Union of Railways) worldwide.

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ContaCts presseContacts franceMeddtlMinistry for TransportMarion LAMURE Tel: +33 1 40 81 21 [email protected]

highways and traffic safety authority (dsCr)road safetyLaurence DERRIENTel: +33 1 40 81 85 [email protected]

network rail france (rff)Manon HERAILTel: +33 1 53 94 31 [email protected]

road safety associationThomas LE QUELLEC – Press attachéTel: +33 1 44 15 27 [email protected]

snCf (french railways)François REMY, SNCF Communications Department – Press relationsTel: +33 1 1 53 25 60 [email protected]

Jacques BRASQUET, SNCF Infrastructure (for regulations and equipment))Tel: +33 1 53 42 72 [email protected]

Coordination agencySophie [email protected]: +33 1 53 00 11 06

ilCad Contacts

International union of railways (uIC)Isabelle FONVERNE, Project manager, Safety and InteroperabilityT.: + 33 1 44 49 20 [email protected]

liesbeth de jong, uIC press relationsT.: + 33 1 44 49 20 [email protected]

Community of european railways (Cer)Eva BÖCKLE, CER Press & Communications ManagerT: + 32 2 213 08 [email protected]

association of european infrastructure Managers (eiM)Johana GROHOVA, EIM Public Affairs ManagerT: + 32 2 234 37 [email protected]

european level Crossings forum (elCf)Alan DAVIES, ChairpersonT.: +44 20 3142 [email protected]

european transport and safety Council (etsC)Ilyas DAOUD, Project ManagerT.: + 32 2 230 41 [email protected]

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press release appendiCes

Campaign visuals

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press release

“aCt safely at level Crossings!”International level Crossing awareness day (IlCad) on 9 june 2011

(Paris/Warsaw, 7 June 2011)

There is no doubt that the train is the safest form of land transportation. It is when the interfaces with other forms of transport are factored into the rail system that the operational risks increase, with the interface at level crossings being one of the greatest of those third party risks and not easy for the rail sector to control without support from others.

Level crossings are an inherently easy way for people to cross the railway and are completely safe if the rules are followed by those using them. It is these users neglecting traffic rules at level crossings that not only put themselves at risk but also people travelling or working on trains. It is statistically clear that most of the accidents that occur at level crossings are caused by road users and pedestrians mainly because of their misbehaviour.

That is why it is so important to highlight this issue and bring these risks to the attention of level crossing users and make them aware of the risks thy run by not taking care. This is of course not a problem that can be uniquely addressed by the rail community, it has to be handled as one of shared concern amongst several players, including the road and rail sectors, police forces, road users and those with responsibility for licensing those users as well as with pedestrians including cyclists.

It is a general misconception that level crossings are a rail problem when in fact it has always been and remains very much an interface between two modes and each has its role to play.It would be quite easy for those companies responsible for rail infrastructure and national safety authorities to simply engineer-out the problem by closing level crossings. This is of course not a realistic solution for any number of economic reasons.As with any risk situation it is far better to get to the root of the problem and develop a campaign of education of the users and the partners on the other side of the interface so that people are learning to appreciate the risks and respecting the traffic rules. Changing the behavioural approach will decrease the number of accidents at level crossings.

It is as a significant contribution to this educational approach that ILCAD was born. The International Level Crossing Awareness Day on 9 June 2011 focuses on educational measures and the promotion of safe behaviour at and around level crossings. It is built around a range of national events held jointly at various locations in every participating country; focussed on a common message of “Act safely at level crossings!” In addition to regular or permanent activities held throu-ghout the year, many special communication actions have been planned throughout the world: flyers handed out at level crossings, in schools, driving schools, to scouts. Posters will be displayed in railway stations and other central places, the video “Just in time” (funded by the European Commission) will be shown on screens in railway stations and on the internet and there will be special messages broadcast on radio and television as well as at press confe-rences organised with national and local press.Finally UIC/ILCAD have been granted to use the logo of the UN-ECE global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 as part of many other road safety initiatives using the motto: “Together we can save millions of lives”

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dId you know? that according to article 18 of the UN-ECE Vienna Convention, rail has priority at the interface with road and that road users and pedestrians have to respect the road signage and stop when requested – regrettably this respect is not always present this rather too often causes accidents.that trains can weigh several hundred tonnes and some in excess of 1000 tonnes and that the distance for a train to be able to stop can be as much as 10 times higher that for a car. that apart from the obvious physical damage by a road vehicle crashing into a train at a level crossing, there are also psychological, social and financial consequences including, loss of a member of a family, post-traumatic effects on the train driver, train passengers, witnesses, victims not forgetting the system disruption and the train and road traffic delays…

You can find detailed information on good practices and educational material designed to highlight the issue of misbehaviour at and around level crossings by consulting the dedicated website www.ilcad.org

note to editor: Approximately a 1/3 of fatalities occurring on the rail system in Europe occur at level crossings but because these only account for around 2% of all road deaths, is seen outside the rail community as a minimal problem. It is encouraging that the road and rail organisations from the countries participating in ILCAD acknowledge the shared responsibility in order to deal with this issue and it is for this reason that they are collaborating in the organisation of these events to develop public awareness and safe behaviour at and around level crossings. Many of these same bodies have signed the European Road Safety Charter which is an initiative of the European Union. The Charter has the objective of developing concrete actions, assessing results and further heightening awareness about the need to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities through the exchange of best practices in traffic safety in Europe, while adding a European dimension to individual or collective initiatives.

The task now is to spread this message as far and as widely as possible and involve as many players as possible in the road sector, governmental agencies, railway undertakings, rail infrastructure managers, police forces, non-profit organisations dealing with railway safety education (particularly at level crossings) so that we are taking the message to the maximum number of authorities and users. More than 40 countries as well as European and International rail organisations (CER, EIM, UIC), Operation Life-saver, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the European Level Crossing Forum (ELCF), the European Railway Agency (ERA) and the UN-ECE Transport Division. This year the Latin American Railway Association (ALAF) and the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) are involved in this campaign but there is still room for many, many more.

for more information on this international coordinated initiative: International union of railways (uIC)• isabelle fonverne, Projects Officer,

Safety & Interoperability T: + 33 1 44 49 20 91, e-mail: [email protected]

•liesbeth de jong, UIC Press Relations, T.: + 33 1 44 49 20 53, e-mail: [email protected]

european level Crossing forum (elCf)•alan davies, Chairman, T.: +44 20 3142 5371,

e-mail: [email protected]

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teCHniCal data on tHe level Crossings used for the 2011 CampaIgn

obernai (67)• Town centre location, next to the station and

near schools on the RD 422 departmental road.

• Traffic: 7,560 vehicles and 32 trains per day• Train speeds: 80 kphContext:The level crossing is used by a large number of high school childrenimprovements:Through active collaboration with the commune of Obernai, 3 level crossings with crosses of St Andrew have been closed and a fourth automated. Further projects are under way with this commune.programme for june 9th: 9:00 - 12:00: Awareness and accident prevention campaign11:00 - 12:00: Press conference with elected officials.

st germain sur Morin (77)• Urban location on the RD 934 departmental

road.• Traffic: 8,090 vehicles and 34 trains per day• Train speeds: 100 kphContext:The level crossing handles high volumes of pedestrians as well as cars and public transport.A bus stop next to the level crossing creates a potential risk for pedestrians and limits visibility for cars (overtaking the bus to get across the tracks quicker) as well as the possibility of tailbacks.improvements:Work undertaken on the railway: new planing and overhead light installed.Proposed road works: review location of bus stop and pedestrian flow.programme for june 9th: • 07:30 - 10:30: Safety awareness messages • 10:30 - 11:30: Action in schools

• 14:00 - 16:00: Second team of volunteers on the level crossing

• 14:00 - 15:00: second action in schools to reach the rest of the children

• 15:30 -16h:00: Attendance of Secretary of State Thierry Mariani and RFF Chairman

la verpillière (38)• Urban location on the RD 126 departmental

road, near the SNCF station, a car park and a school with 1,500 pupils.

• School busses (40 busses/day)• Lyon-Grenoble line• Traffic: 120 trains and 4,000 vehicles per day• Train speeds: 160 kphContext: Pedestrian traffic is an important issue around this level crossing.improvements:Level crossing fitted with automatic light signal using flashing red lights (LED).programme for june 9th: 10:00 -13:00: Awareness campaign, quiz

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Clisson (44)• Located in a built up area on the CD 54

departmental road near the railway station, a car park and a business park under construction.

• Nantes to La Roche-sur-Yon Line• Traffic: 4,000 vehicles and 55 trains per day• Train speeds: 140 kphContext: Issue of unauthorised access to station platforms from level crossing.Major road works planned on the line with closure of level crossing 18 diverting traffic to level crossing 19; level crossing n° 18 is used by school children creating need for awareness campaign to them at the same time.improvements:Level crossing fitted with automatic light signal with 4 flashing red lights (LED).Studies carried out in 2009 into closure of level crossings 18 and 19 (small scale constructions to handle light vehicles and pedestrian traffic)Access to the station is under constructionprogramme for june 9th: • 07:00-13:00: Awareness campaign and quiz

Hondegem (lille)• Priority level crossing located outside built

up area on the RD 161 departmental road.• Traffic: 5,000 vehicles and 97 trains per day• Train speeds: 160 kphContext: The State, General Council and RFF signed a charter in 2010 on improving all level crossings on Departmental Roads in the department.improvements:Extra overhead lights added to improve visibility of level crossing.The road plan leading to the level crossing was modified (S bends straightened).A cycle lane was added on both sides of the road.A traffic island was built to prevent chicaning.A special road surface was laid on both sides of the level crossing to increase adherence and reduce braking distances.

sanctions:The DSCR is experimenting with automatic radar operated sanctions (2 cabins) that will book drivers who commit an offense (once the system is approved).

auterive (toulouse)• Priority level crossing located in an urban

setting on the RD 622 departmental road.• Traffic: 400 vehicles and 49 trains per day• Train speeds: 140 kphContext:Trains stopping at this station travelling from Latour de Carol to Portet-Saint-Simon cause longer waiting times at this level crossing leading to more dangerous behaviour by road users such as crossing as the gates close or pedestrians walking along the tracks to get to the station.improvements:Level crossing fitted with automatic light signals and 2 half gates.

auxerre (jonche)• Located in built up area on the RN 77

national road.• Traffic: 15,000 vehicles and 38 trains per

day.Context:A roundabout nearby causes traffic to tail back towards the level crossing.One of 17 level crossings on National RN roads. Report published by the DIR.improvements:To improve visibility of the level crossing:All lights are LED fittedAdvance warning signals are fitted with yellow lights that flash to warn road users when the crossing is closed (placed 150 metres before the level crossing).The level crossing is located near a roundabout that can lead to traffic build up all the way back to the level crossing. To counter this, in September 2011, smart traffic lights were installed that turn red before the tailback reaches the level crossing.Lastly, to avoid infringements and chicaning, a level crossing radar is planned before the end of 2011.

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removal:A plan to close the level crossing and to divert the main road is under study.programme for june 9th: • 10:00 -13:00: Awareness campaign and quiz

le Havre (seine-Maritime 76)• Priority level crossing in built up area, closed

from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am and located at the crossing of the Boulevard de Graville and the Paris-Rouen-Le Havre rail link.

• Traffic: 3,450 vehicles and 147 trains per dayContext:Priority level crossing located near a crossroads with danger of tailbacks onto the tracks.Used extensively by pedestrians.improvements:In 2010, safety was improved by fitting LED lights.To cut the risk of tailbacks from the crossroads, the traffic lights are coordinated with the level crossing gates. The level crossing is fitted with a terminal loop.Permanent closure under study for 2014.programme for june 9th: • 9:00 to 12:00: Quiz and awareness information

given out to drivers and pedestrians stopped at the gate. Speed controls with mobile radar.

Manosque (paCa 04)• Level crossing located at crossroads of

several communal roads near a school.• Traffic: 13,000 vehicles and 14 trains per

day.Context:The level crossing is at a crossroads with a complex configuration of different roads including the Boulevard Pierre de Garidel and the Chemin Champs de Pruniers, as well as some private roads. This causes important traffic flows including public transport and HGVs that may have to manoeuvre around the level crossing.A project to permanently close the level crossing is under study.improvements:Pending its closure, temporary measures have been undertaken by the local authorities:

Modification of pedestrian crossingRe-use of the vertical and horizontal signalsEmploying a surveillance officerProduction of a report on “Saftey inspections at level crossings” based on the table in the SETRA report. This is expected to lead to suitable alterations.Closure:As part of the study into renovating the station and its surrounding area launched by the Joint Councils of Luberon – Durance - Verdon in 2006, a plan to permanently close the level crossing was presented in February 2008.This plan includes:A partial diversion of the Avenue du Moulin NeufThe construction of a road bridge over the Boulevard Pierre de Garidel, widened and over the rail tracks.programme for june 9th:• 8:00 to 12:00: Quiz and awareness information

given out to drivers and pedestrians stopped at the gate.

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9 June 2011, 39 countries working for road safety Awareness day to promote road safety rules at...

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Transcript of 9 June 2011, 39 countries working for road safety Awareness day to promote road safety rules at...