Re: Unmanned Railway Crossings

[David Johnson <trainman@ozemail.com.au>]

sgpal@hotmail.com wrote:

> Indian Railways have 26 000 unmanned level crossings, where the road
> buses and trucks have free access to cross the railway tracks, all the
> time. There are frequent ugly accidents at the level crossings as the
> road vehicle driver can not hear the whistle of the railway engine, due
> to the masking effect of road vehicle diesel engine.

What is wrong with these people???   Can't they look for themselves?

>
> It may be possible to equip each level crossing with :
> 1. Two solar panels, one on either side of the track, about 1 Sq m
> area; 2. Two Lead acide maintenance free batteries, fed directly by the
> Solar panels;
> 3. A switch to start a flashing light to warn the road users about the
> presence of a " Railway Crossing ", during the dusk hours;
> Any suggestions to cut down the cost and to improve the reliability of
> the system are welcome.    Dinesh Bansal, Chennai, India

Sounds pretty expensive.  Why not just put a stop sign there?

--
David Johnson
trainman@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~trainman/
------------------------------------
These comments are made in a private
capacity and do not represent the
official view of State Rail.
C.O.W.S. Page 11.