LEVEL CROSSING SR-16.02-1 LEVEL CROSSING-
It means the intersection of road with railway track at the same level.
LEVEL CROSSING GATE:- Means any form of moveable barrier, including a chain, capable of being closed across the road at the level crossing, but does not include a wicket on a turn still for the use of pedestrians.
a. TRAFFIC GATES:- Level crossing gate which are located between the outer most stop signals of the station are termed as traffic gates. The manning and operation of traffic gates shall be under the control of operating department.
b. ENGINEERING GATES:- Level crossing gates other than traffic gates are termed as engineering gates. Supply and care equipments of level crossing gate(SR-16.02-1) The following equipments should be available at every manned level crossing.
I. Whistle
II. LED based tricolor flashing hand signal lamp-3
III. Hand signal flag- green-1, (mounted on stick)
IV. Hand signal flag-red-3 (mounted on stick)
V. Spare small chains with pad lock-2, two long spare chain with stop marked disk.
VI. Detonators in a tin case -12 (on more if prescribed) VII. Tommy bar -1
VIII. Water pot on bucket -1
IX. Mortar-pan -1
X. Remmer-1
XI. Pick – axe-1 XII. Staves suitable for exhibition of red flag or red lamp-2
XIII. Phowrah -1
XIV. Banner flag-2 SR-16.02-2- Each manned level crossing must also have the following and should be maintained up to date.
I. Working instructions of the level crossing gate.
II. Gate man’s rule book.
III. Gate inspection book.
IV. Duty roster V. Public complaint book
CLASSIFICATION OF LEVEL CROSSING:- The classification of level crossing are decided on the basis of factors like - type of road, TVU (train vehicle unit), visibility condition, class of railway track etc. Level crossings are classified as follows.
a. Special class – for roads
b. A class – for roads
c. B class – for roads
d. C class – for roads
e. D class – for cattle crossing. As per the rules of railway administration, it has been decided that
The level crossing which has TVU more than 50,000 are called special class or“A” class level crossing such level crossing should not be constructed on branch line, sidings or on the lines where the traffic is low.
- The level crossing having TVU more than 25,000 are called ‘B’ class level crossing.
- Level crossing having TVU up to 25,000 are called ‘C’ class level crossings.
CENSUS OF LEVEL CROSSING:- For classification of level crossings, the census of level crossings should be conducted in every 5 years. If the TVU of any level crossing is more than 75,000, the census of such LCs should be conducted in every 2.5years. For such level crossing having TVU more than one lakh (1,00,000), proposal for construction ROB/RUB (road over bridge/road under bridge) should be sent to the concerned state government.
CALCULATION OF TVU:- For the purpose of calculation of TVU, number of vehicles passing the LCs is calculated for 24 hours, 7 days continuously. The average no. of vehicle per day is multiplied with average no. of vehicles per day and the resultant is called TVU. While calculating the number of vehicles passing the through the gate, the following should be considered.
1. Heavy motor vehicle/tractor /bullock cart-1unit.
2. Light motor vehicle/Rickshaw/others-0.5unit.
3. Train – 1 unit. Pedestrians and cycles will not be given any weight age.
Manning of un-manned level crossing:- As per the guidelines of railway board, while converting the un-manned level crossing into manned level crossings, priority shall be given as follows
Priority-1- if TVU is more than 10,000.
Priority -2- if TVU is more than 6,000 and visibility is impaired.
Priority – 3- if TVU is 6,000 or less, visibility is impaired and motor vehicle, Buses pass through LC gate
Priority – 4- if TVU is less than 6,000, visibility is impaired but motor vehicles, buses do not pass through the LC gate.
Priority – 5- if TVU is more than 6,000, and visibility is not impaired.
Working of Level Crossing Gate:-SR-16.03-1
The detailed working instructions of level crossing gates including its normal position will be incorporated in SWR in respect of level crossing gates which are situated within station limits and also of those engineering gates which are provided with telephonic communication with the station. All the gate working instruction, including traffic and engineering gates will be signed by Sr.DOM/DOM and DEN. In case of interlocked gate it would be signed by Sr.DOM/DOM, DEN and DSTE, in addition to English version a signed copy of instructions in regional language should be available at the level crossing gates.
The normal position of non-interlocked gate, which has no telephonic communication with station, will be closed to road traffic.
Working of Traffic Gate:- It will be the responsibility of the station master to ensure that before taking ‘off’ signal for reception/dispatch of trains or for passage of trains at stations where signals are not provided or become defective or during shunting operation, the LC gates are closed and locked to the road traffic and key of the gate is in possession of the SM.
Working of Engineering Gate:- The normal position of the gate shall be closed and locked to the road traffic. A stop board shall be fixed at a distance 100 meters in either side the gate. All trains must stop at the stop boards and loco pilot, after ensuring that the gate is closed to road traffic shall pass his train cautiously.
The Gate man, before opening the gate for road traffic shall ensure that no train is approaching to the gate then he shall display danger signal at either side of the track at a distance of 5 meters, then he shall open the gate for passing road traffic keeping a red flag, hand signal lamp ready in his hand to stop and approaching train. After passing the road traffic the gate man shall again close and lock the gate. Thereafter, he will remove the danger signal planted on either side of the gate.
Interlocked Gates provided with signals, the normal position of which is closed to road traffic, and non-interlocked gates provided with telephonic communication with station/cabin.
I. Before permitting each train to enter the block section, the station master shall ask the gateman on the telephone whether the gate is closed to the road traffic for passage of train. The gateman after ensuring that the gate is actually closed to the road traffic and locked, shall give private number to the SM in assurance of gate being actually closed and locked to the road traffic.
II. In case the Gateman is not responding on the telephone or in case the telephone becomes defective or private number is not received from the gateman, the SM shall not allow any train to enter the section, unless the Guard and Loco pilot have been advised to the effect by means of a caution order. The SM having the telephonic communication with the gate, shall advise the SM at the other end under exchange of private number to issue caution order before he grants ‘Line Clear’.
III. In case the gateman desires to open the gate for passing road traffic, he should ensure that he has not exchanged any private no. with the SM/cabin man and no train is approaching the Gate. Before opening the Gate, he shall display the danger signal at either side of the track at a distance of 5 meters. Then he shall open the gate keeping a red flag/hand signal lamp ready in his hand to stop any approaching train.
IV. In the Evert of failure of telephone, if the gate is required to be opened for the passage of road traffic the Gateman shall act as above. He will thereafter, open the gate for passage of the road traffic. After passage of the road traffic he shall close the gate against the road traffic and lock it retaining the key in his personal custody.
Interlocked level crossing Gate provided with telephone and Gate signal:-
I. The normal position of the Gate generally is open to road traffic.
II. The SM shall advise the Gateman of the passage of train on the telephone, before permitting a train to enter into the block section.
III. On getting advice of a train, the gate man shall ensure that the gate is closed and locked to the road traffic and then take ‘off’ the gate signal.
IV. In case of the gateman is not responding or the telephone is defective, the SM shall not allow any train to enter the section, unless the Guard and Loco pilot have been advised to the effect by means of a caution order. The SM having telephonic communication with the gate shall advise the SM at the other end under exchange of private number to issue caution order before granting line clear.
V. In the event of failure of the telephone, the gateman shall act as followsa. He shall ensure that the gate signal is ON position and the lights are burning brightly during night. b. Where the normal position of the Gate is open to road traffic, he shall keep a good look out to ensure that no train is approaching form either side. Whenever he finds a train is approaching the gate, he shall ensure that the gate is closed and locked to the road traffic and then take ‘off’ the gate signal. Through the loco pilot or Guard of the first train, he shall inform the SM that gate phone is not working. Competency certificate: GR-16.01, SR-16.01-1 No person shall be appointed to work as Gateman unless he is in possession of a certificate of competency. Following guidelines shall be strictly hollowed while issuing competency certificate.
The validity of competency certificate is 3 years. The employee should have to appear the examination before issuing the certificate.
