Level Cross ings

1. Level Crossings B K Jha PT-2

2. B.K. JHA Prof Track-2 • IRSE 1996 EXAM BATCH • Worked in CRLY • Asst. Engineer at Betul in NGP Division • XEN/B&F/MMR • Senior Divional Engineer(SE) in MB Div • Dy Chief Engr in MRVC/MB • Dy Chief Engr Bridge in HQ • Sr DEN/CO/NGP/CR

3. Level Crossings

4. Level Crossings • Level Crossings are one of the bottlenecks in Rly system but very critical asset for engineering department. • Separate chapter (no. 9) in IRPWM on Level Crossing

5. Level Crossings • Types of LC’s • Manned • Unmanned

6. Statistics of LC’s On IR • On Indian Railway System, No. of • Manned LCs – 19888 • Unmanned LCs – 2997 • Total - 22885 • Sanctioned for Elimination by ROB/RUB - 742

7. Importance of LC for Engineers • Majority of the LC’s are manned by Engineering deptt. • Even on Operating LC Gates, most of the issues pertain to Engg deptt. • These LC’s are most inspected asset of Railway by various department. • Engg deptt are most vulnerable on this aspect- has to defend for the complaints by driver/station master, officers of other department for inattentive GK’s.

8. Important Aspects of LC • Classification of LC • Census of LC • Periodic Overhauling of LC • Gate keepers • Civil Infrastructure at LC • Track Structure • Inspection of LC at stipulated frequency

9. Overhauling of LC • Steps of Overhauling- • Opening of Road surface over the track • Removal of check rails • Replacement of Notched/Broken sleeper & fittings • Shallow screening of ballast • Painting of Rail • Fixing of Check rail • Repair of Road Surface

10. Overhauling of LC • Frequency of Overhauling of LC • PSC Sleeper Track- • overhauling with each cycle of machine packing and maximum frequency is 2 years • Other than PSC Sleeper track- • With each cycle of machine packing and Maximum frequency is 1 year

11. Speed Breaker at LC • IRPWM Para 918 • Provision of Rumble strips on both side approaches of LC by Road Authorities

12. Speed Breaker at LC • Till such time, speed breakers shall be provided by the Railways covering full width of Road. • For one way roads, SB shall be provided on entry side only. • Speed Breaker shall be provided at 20m from the gate post of LC

13. Speed Breaker at LC

14. As per CS No.135 Colour of Speed breaker Sign has been changed from Yellow to Black.

15. Speed Breaker at LC • Distance of Speed Breaker Board from location of Speed Breaker

16. Height Gauge at LC • IRPWM para 910/4 • On electrified section, height gauge shall be erected across the road on either side of LC gate. • Height gauge shall be located at a minimum distance of 8m from the gate post. This can be reduced to 8m from c/l of track with permission from Chief Engineer. • Maximum height of top boom from the road surface (lowest point) shall be 4.67m. • Height gauge shall be painted 300mm alternate black & white

17. Height Gauge at LC

18. Traffic Census of LC • As per correction slip no. 100 of IRPWM, • Periodical census of all LC`s (Manned/Unmanned) - Once in 3 years • LC`s Census taken for One week. • Census is taken for TVU (train Vehicle Units) per day

19. Calculation of Census of LC • Total no. of train units in 7 days (T) • Total no. of Road vehicle units in 7 days (R) • EachTrain taken as 1 Unit. • Each Four wheeled Motor vehicles, Bullock Carts & Tongas considered as 1 Unit. • Each Cycle Rickshaw/Auto Rickshaws considered as 1/2 Unit.

20. Calculation of Census of LC • Motorized two wheelers are considered as 1/4 Unit. (Corection slip no. 144 of IRPWM) • Now, Census of LC in • TVU per day = (T x R)/7

21. Census of LC (ACS No.144) • Census to be carried out by Multi-disciplinary team consisting of representative of CE, S&T and Traffic. • Mechanism shall be set up by DRM to ensure that the representatives are present for the census. • TVU census may also be planned using CCTV camera by outsourcing this activity.

22. Classification of LC

23. No. of Gatekeepers at LC gate • Minimum no. of Gatekeepers at LC gate will be • Special Class – 3, • A class – 2 • B class – 2 • C – 2 (1 if closed at night)

24. Classification of Road

25. Inspection of Level Crossings By SSE/PWAY- • Once in a month by rotation by In-charge & Sectional PWI • Equipments & Knowledge of GK to be examined • Should conduct practical demonstration of protection of LC gate in case of emergency to see the preparedness and promptness of GK.

26. Inspection of Level Crossings SSE/PWAY- • He should maintain a manuscript register of repairs for all LC gates on his section. This Register shows details viz. date of opening, condition of sleepers & age, details of change of sleeper etc. • He will check that on duty GK is as per roster.

27. Inspection of Level Crossings SSE/PWAY- • Will check competency, medical & refresher details of GK. • Refresher – Every 3 years • Medical Examination- A3 category

28. Medical Categories • A class- For staff involved in public safety. • A1- Rail car Drivers • A2 – other running staff, Points man, cabin man, Station Masters etc. • A3 – Loco, signal & traffic Inspectors, GK, PWIs • B Class- Staff to ensure his own safety. • B1 – Mates, Keyman, • B2- Other department supervisors/Staff • C class- Staff involved in administrative job

29. Inspection of Level Crossings • BY ADEN:- Equipments & Knowledge of GK examined by ADEN once in six months. • Will check the Track items as well as other infrastructure items • He should check Manuscript Register & examine gates during OH as many times as possible, in a year.

30. INSPECTION OF LEVEL CROSSING

31. General Items to be checked at LC’s • Condition of gate lodge, drinking & toilet water facility, electricity • Road surface & Speed breaker (20m from gate post) • Various road sign boards Caution board, warning board, speed breaker board • Height gauge (minimum 8m from Gate post) maximum height 4.67m above road surface • Protection diagram, OH date, TVU details

32. Items to be checked at LC’s • Arrangement for fixing of banner flag &Tri colour HS lamp • Check rail clearance, condition of track (including track parameters) at LC & approach

33. Items to be checked at LC’s • Documents • Gate Working Rules/Instructions, • duty roster, • details of competency, refresher, PME of GK • private no. sheet, • Train entry register, • public complaint register, • LC inspection book, • Equipment failure register • telephone, gate boom, wall clock, gate signal, sliding Bar

34. Items to be checked at LC’s • LC No. Bd, W/L Bd, detonator Bd at 1200m/600m, tie bar fencing 15 (min) • Equipment as per IRPWM para 910. • Knoledge of GK for protection/emergency • LC gates which remain closed during night, should have a board prominently displaying this fact.

35. Items to be checked at LC’s • Statutory warning Board • Planning of plantation at LC gate • Feasibility for closure of LC by LHS/diversion/RUB/Light weight ROB/ ROB etc.

36. Equipments on Level Crossing (Safety Equipments) • Tri color HS lamps ( Bright refectors) - 2 • HS flags (Red) -2 • HS flag (Green) -1 • Banner flag -2 (C.S.No.135) • Staff - 2(for fixing red lamp/flag) • Detonators – 10 (C.S.No.135) • Warning signals—1 for SL / 3 for DL/Ghats/ABS (C.S.No.136) • Gate lamps – 2

37. Contd. …(Other equipments) • Powrah -1 • Tool list -1 • Pick-axe -1 • Rammer - 1 • Bucket -1 • Spare small chains and padlocks —2 (for locking in emergency) • Wall clock at all manned level Crossings. • Sufficient supply of, k-oil, wicks, matches etc at gate lodges.

38. Cont.. • Tin case for for Flags - 1 • Canister for Muster Sheet – 1(Only for Engineering gates as per C.S No.139) • Can for Oil – 1 • Tommy Bar – 1 • Water Pot or Bucket – 1 • Mortar pan – 1 • 2 long spare chains with STOP mark disc attachment at Centre , in case gate/barrier gets damaged.

39. Contd. …(Register & Books) • Inspection register • Complaint book for road users • LC working instructions (In local language) • Safety rule book—1 ( in Hindi or Regional language) • Duty Roster • Diagram indicating the method of protection to be adopted , in case of obstruction in the level crossing.

40. Equipments on Level Crossing (Fixed) • Long chains with stop disc at center - Check condition of chain, boards & locking system. • Diagram indicating method of protection • Distinct indication at 600/400 & 1200/800 m for fixing of detonators.(BG/MG)

41. Duties of Gateman. • Alertness – Alert and be prepared to take immediate action should Danger be apprehend. Position , during passage of trains – Stand facing the track, on gate lodge side of approaching trains. Observe all passing trains and be prepared to take action for safety of trains. Should stand at specified location (clearly demarcated) during passage of train.

42. Cont.. • Action in Emergency – In case of any obstruction at the Level Crossing, the gateman should maintain the gate signal , if any, in ON position and if unable to remove, protect the line and should take immediate action to inform Mate, PWI and nearest Station Master through messenger or any other means.

43. Cont.. • Action during parting of train – On noticing, that the train has parted, he shall not show a stop hand signal to the driver , but shall try to attract the attention of the driver and the Guard by shouting, gesticulating or other means. • He shall ensure that Gate lamps and lamps of all gate signals are lighted and kept burning continuously from sunset to sunrise.

44. Cont.. • No gateman shall leave his gate unless other gateman has taken charge of it. If required in emergency , he should close and lock the gate for road traffic. • The gateman should see that the channel for the flange of the wheel is kept clear. • The gateman should keep the road surface well watered and rammed.

45. Cont.. • If any gate or barrier gets damaged/out of order at Level crossing, he should use spare chain and Disc for closing against road traffic and inform Station Manager,Gangmate,PWI. • When the gate signal is defective , the gateman should close and lock the gates on sighting the train and hand signal or pilot the train past defective signal and advice Driver about the defective signal to next Station Manager.

46. Cont.. • The gateman should ensure that the equipment supplied to the gate is in good order and ready for immediate use. • Every gateman shall as far as possible prevent trespassing by person or cattle.

47. Examination of Gateman . • Scrutinize Medical certificate (A-3 category) • When last examined? • When next due? • With or without Glasses? • Scrutinize Competency Certificate • Date of issue & issuing authority • Validity • Whether he is working as per duty roster?

48. Cont.. • In all Level Crossings provided with telephone connections literate gateman capable of exchanging private numbers, should be posted. • The Hours of duty for Gateman should be laid down as per regulations in force. Rosters for gateman should be maintained at gatelodge. No gateman shall change his hours of duty without order of PWI.

49. Cont.. • Full particulars regarding PME and Vision test of each gateman shall be maintained at gatelodge. • While handing over and taking over charge, the gateman and relievers should jointly check all equipment and test all gears to see that they are in order. • Every gateman shall be fully conversant with the use of Hand signals,detonators,fusees and protection rules.

50. Skew Level Crossings • All roads should preferably cross the Rly line at right angles. • Angle of crossing should not be less than 450 • Gate post of LC shall be fixed square to the road.