1 Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe! Information Pack
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 2 Contents Introduction 3 The golden rules 4 Types of level crossing 5 Boom gates and flashing lights 6 Flashing lights 7 Give way signs 8 Stop signs 9 Pedestrian and bike level crossings 10 Crossings signs on approach 11 Crossings signs - at the crossing 12 Crossings signs - if you are walking or riding your bike 12 While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this RISSB Product, it is provided without any legal liability on the part of RISSB. RISSB publishers, authors, consultants and editors each take no responsibility for loss suffered by any person resulting in any way from the use or reliance on this RISSB Product. This Product is partly based on the Office of Rail Regulation s Using level crossings safely and Network Rail s Level Crossings: They re not time wasters, They re life savers (2010). Jointly produced with Halcrow Group Ltd. Cartoon artwork by Mr Ian James. Traffic control devices illustrations were kindly provided by the State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads). Version 1.00a - All rights reserved RISSB 2012. This Product is owned by RISSB and may not be modified without written permission from the copyright owner.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 3 Introduction Across Australia you will find many types of railway level crossings. When used safely, level crossings let cars, trucks, bike riders or people walking/ pedestrians cross the railway. Sadly, every year people are hurt and killed in accidents at level crossings. Some of these accidents also put the people on the train and other road users in great danger. Most of these accidents happen because drivers, bike riders and pedestrians take risks and don t follow the safety rules. This booklet will help you understand: the dangers at level crossings how to use different types of level crossings what the signs at level crossings mean. Remember that level crossings are there to keep you and the railway safe. Let s look at some golden rules to help you KEEP SAFE.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 4 The golden rules Obey the lights; another train is on its way! Trains can come from either direction at any time. Never run the light. Never go around the boom gate! Trains can reach the crossing in seconds! Make sure that the exit of the crossing is not blocked. Never get stuck on the crossing; trains can t stop in time! Obey the signs! Look both ways. Make sure it s safe to cross. Be alert! Take your earphones out. Put your hood down. If you can t hear it or see it you are in danger! Stop, look, listen and think
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 5 Types of level crossing Now, let s look at some different types of level crossings you might see and explain how they work. Boom gates flashing lights Flashing lights Give way signs Stop signs Pedestrian and bike crossings Look out for the different warning signs that you will see before you get to the crossing and also at the level crossing itself!
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 6 Boom gates and flashing lights Many level crossings have boom gates and flashing lights. When approaching this type of crossing: Be prepared to stop! Make sure the exit is clear before passing the white line! If the lights are flashing, stop at the white line and wait. If the lights stay flashing after a train has passed then another train is on the way! Walk your bike over the crossing as level crossing can be uneven and slippery.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 7 Flashing lights Some level crossings only have flashing lights. When approaching this type of crossing: Be prepared to stop! You are approaching a level crossing. Make sure the exit is clear before passing the white line! If the lights are flashing, stop at the white line and wait. If the lights remain flashing after a train has passed then another train is on the way! Walk your bike over the crossing as level crossing can be uneven and slippery.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 8 Give way signs Some level crossings only have road signs and no flashing lights, alarm bells or boom gates. You need to take extra care, be alert and LOOK both ways for TRAINS! When approaching this type of crossing: Be prepared to stop! You are approaching a level crossing. You need to look out for trains. Never run the risk. You MUST give way to trains! Trains can come from either direction on any line.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 9 Stop signs At a level crossing with a stop sign there will be no flashing light or boom gates. You must always stop at the white line and look both ways. When approaching this type of crossing: Be prepared to stop! You are approaching a level crossing. Slow down and stop at the white line! Once you have come to a complete stop, LOOK both ways for TRAINS!
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 10 Pedestrian and bike level crossings There are many level crossings just for pedestrians and cyclists. Some only have signs but some also have alarms, gates and lights. Whatever the level crossing looks like, obey all the signs. Always stop, look and listen for trains and remember to take out your ear phones and remove your hood. If you re riding a bike, dismount. Be careful as the crossing can be uneven. Bike wheels can get stuck in the railway tracks! Don t take risks. Remember trains can come from both directions at high speeds, so keep looking and listening.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 11 Crossings signs on approach: These signs can be found on the approach to level crossings. Know these signs as they will help prepare you for the crossing ahead. This sign means that there is a crossing ahead with no boom gate. You will see it before one of the next two signs shown below. This sign means that the level crossing ahead has no boom gate or flashing lights but you must stop at the crossing and LOOK OUT FOR TRAINS and give way to them! This sign means that the level crossing ahead has no boom gate or flashing lights but you must LOOK OUT FOR TRAINS and give way to them. Remember the golden rules. Make sure your exit is clear before you go onto the crossing. This sign means that the crossing you are approaching has flashing lights and might also have a boom gate. Be ready and stop! This sign has flashing yellow lights and gives you extra warning that a train is approaching the level crossing. When you see this sign, be ready to stop! This sign means that you are about to reach a level crossing that has a gate across the road when a train is coming.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 12 Crossings signs - at the crossing: You must give way to trains. Be alert! Obey the sign. STOP at the line and LOOK OUT FOR TRAINS before you cross. Flashing light and lowered boom gates mean stop! Crossings signs - if you are walking or riding your bike: DO NOT CROSS WHILE LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED OR ALARM SOUNDING TRACKS LOOK OUT FOR TRAINS at every crossing. DO NOT CROSS WHILE LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED OR ALARM SOUNDING TRACKS At some crossing you will see red warning lights or a RED MAN like the ones at road crossing. Obey the sign, remove your ear phones and don t take risks. You must get off you bike. Bike wheels can get stuck in the railway tracks.
Railway Level Crossings Keeping you Safe 13 A few things to remember... Level crossings are there to keep you safe so be alert and most importantly stick to the rules. If you are on a level crossing and the light starts flashing, the boom gate comes down or the bell is sounding: Get clear straight away. If you are in a car and get stuck on the tracks, put your lights on, get out, get other people out and get clear of the crossing. Raise the alarm and call 000! If you see something dangerous at a level crossing then report it to the police or the railway company immediately.
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