Road users unaware of rail signals

Hyderabad: In three of the previous railway accident inquiries, the need to warn road users about trains at unmanned level crossings had been pointed out, even if equipment does not work.

Despite whistle warnings being used at unmanned crossings, there is not enough awareness among road users about the signal, resulting in errors, stated the findings of the Masaipet accident (bus-train collision at an unmanned level crossing in SCR zone) inquiry. Around 16 people had died in the mishap.

Earlier this year, a train had rammed into a vehicle at an unmanned crossing in Hisar, killing 12.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau, apart from falling from running trains, collision at level crossings and derailments are the main reasons for the huge loss of human lives.

Derailments constitute the largest chunk, 50 per cent of total accidents, followed by 36 per cent accidents at unmanned level crossings, 5 per cent due to collisions, 4 per cent at manned level crossing gates and 2 per cent fire accidents. Another 3 per cent was attributed to miscellaneous reasons including sabotage.

The Anil Kakodkar Expert Committee report on railway safety, submitted in 2012, mentions: “From 2007-08 to 2011, casualties in train accidents include 723 deaths and 690 injuries due to unmanned level crossing accidents attributed to the negligence of road users”.

The report stated that road users have to be made aware of trains approaching the level crossings using audio alarms and light signals.

No other country has such a large number of lives being lost on train tracks, be it civilian or otherwise. It is the unmanned level crossings that contribute to the maximum number of deaths. Unmanned level crossing accidents, which are 36 per cent of the total, have resulted in 59 per cent deaths and 32 per cent injuries, as per past data.

At level crossings, conflict of right of way is required to be resolved. The report stated that road users have to be made aware of trains approaching the level crossings using audio alarms and light signals.

"This is resolved at manned level crossings by the Railway gate keeper. On unmanned level crossings, it is to be resolved by road user and trains have first right of way. Error is made by many road users for whatever reasons. We hold our view that warning of an approaching train shortly before its arrival at unmanned level crossing through train actuated warning device can be of much help to improve safety at these level crossings by making road user positively aware of trains approaching the level crossing by audio alarm and light signal," stated the Railway Safety Commission report.