international educational conference „let‘s save lives“ tallinn, estonia, march 15 th, 2011...

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE

„LET‘S SAVE LIVES“

Tallinn, Estonia, March 15th, 2011

Martina Pavlíková

ŽSR – The Railways of the Slovak Republic

Level Crossings (LX´s):Slovak Republic and Europe

Comparison of selected LX´s statistical indicators from several European countries (ERA database correspondents) including Slovakia

LX´s accident rate analysis for 2001 - 2010 What needs to be done to increase safety? Road traffic and LX´s accidents for 2008 and 2009 in

Slovakia Significant LX´s accidents in Slovakia

International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", 15.03.2011 Tallinn

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Level Crossings Definition

Level crossing as a direct at-grade intersection of two different transport axes - the road and the rail - are almost always the sensitive points in traffic, because they limit the traffic fluency.

The public discussion about LX´s justification, proper safety system, operation mode etc. is provoked mainly by the local accidents incurred. The more serious the consequences, the more intensive and longer-lasting public discussion appears with follow up identification of potentially responsibility.

Is Slovakia equal in the number of LX´s in comparison to other European countries as regards the number of LX´s, their active appliances and equipment, safety and their operation etc.?


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As regards the number of active LX´s, Slovakia is reaching the middle ground now. Nowadays, every other LX in the country is active. It is almost impossible to achieve the standard of Belgium or Norway in this respect - but in other countries too besides Slovakia.


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With the number of approximately 1 LX per 2 kilometre of track, Slovakia belongs among the countries with the middle LX´s density. Since 2000, the number of LX´s has been reduced by 266, from 2,486 to 2,220 currently.


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When we compare the number of LX´s and the number of accidents we have to admit that the number of people killed at LX´s is very high in Slovakia.


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Slovakia has a high position in this index/figure too.


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As of December 31, 2009, there were 2220 level crossings registered at the territory of Slovakia, from which 1144 were passive, 1056 active and barriers for 20 were permanently locked and serviced on request only.

Numbers of active LX´s:

• with manual user-side protection 80

• with automatic user-side protection 514

• with automatic user-side warning 462

Number of accidents and people killed at LX´s (passive & active, for 2001 – 2010, %)

Passive LX´s (%) Active LX´s (%)

Percentage of LX´s 52,89 47,11

Percentage of accidents at LX´s 43,33 56,67

Percentage of persons killed at LX´s 36,7 63,3


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Analysis of occurrencies of LX´s accidentsover the last 10 years (2001-2010)

Almost 100 % of the accidents took place at an active LX´s though its active appliances and equipment has functioning properly,

Looking at LX´s accidents in general, we can state, that 99% of them were caused by car-to-train collision or train-to-car collision after the car entered the LX immediately before the oncoming train,

Since 2008, according to EU legislation (Regulation No. 91/2003 of the EU Parliament and the Council), we have to record train collisions with other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, non-motor vehicles etc.),

There isn't any LX registered where accidents regularly occur in Slovakia; they are spread over the whole country,

Almost 100 % of the accidents were caused by a human factor,

On account of ŽSR or operators, within the period of monitoring, only 4 accidents have been registered,

Regardless of consequences or amount of damage, all LXs accidents were added into analysis.


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What needs to be done to increase operational safety at LX´s?

Would barriers guarantee safety on LX´s? Is equipping LX´s with active crossing installation with gates the only proper way, as it is always interpreted in the Media,

after every serious LX accident?

After analysing the LX´s accidents with regard to the type of LX, we can say that securing and equipping LX´s with active appliances is not a guarantee of the safety.

Also the human factor has an essential and crucial influence on safety: carlessnes and non-adjustment to local conditions for use of LX´s.

To increase LX operational safety it is necessary to focus on the most important factor which directly affects safety, that is the human factor, in a way that will be: • preventive, • educational and also• enforcing.


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How does ŽSR contribute to this?

Preventive measuresŽSR in cooperation with Czech Railways (ČD) prepared a demonstrative CD with appropriate an inappropriate behaviour at LX´s. 3000 CD copies were distributed to all driving schools in Slovakia. The film was shown on big screens at 23 railway stations. The name of this CD is „The driver – the threat“ to LX´s

Enforcing measures and educating LX´s usersUp to now, there haven't been legal conditions performing operations like these by ŽSR in Slovakia.

The equipping of LX´s with active appliances is comparable with other countries.


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What is the ratio of LX´s accidents in relation to the total number of road traffic accidents in Slovakia?

In 2008, this ratio amounted to 0.12%, while the ratio of people killed was 3.05%,

In 2009, the ratio amounted to 0.2%, while the ratio of people killed was 7.5%,

The most frequent cause of road traffic accidents as well as LX´s accidents is one and the same, every time:

VIOLATION OF THE DRIVER‘S DUTIES AND INAPPROPRIATE SPEED OF VEHICLE


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Polomka

Type of LX: Passive Date & Time: February 21, 2009, 09:05 AM Consequential impact: 12 people killed

6 people seriously injured

165 000 € - cost of damages


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Polomka, 21st of February 2009


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Polomka today

Type of LX:

Active with automatic user-side warning

Road sign:

Ban on vehicles with length of more than 12 meters

The costs for the new equipment of the LX were 200000 Euros.


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Dolná Štubňa

Type of LX: Active with automatic user-side warning Date & Time: September 20, 2009, 04:35 PM Consequential impact: 3 people killed

25 000 € - cost of damages


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Dolná Štubňa


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Dolná Štubňa


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Dolná Štubňa


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Dolná Štubňa


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Information sources

• European Railway Agency (www.pdb.era.europa.eu) • ŽSR owned investigatory materials and other templates• Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic (www.telecom.gov.sk)• Internet • The methodology of data evaluation in accordance with• REGULATION (EC) No 91/2003 OF THE EU PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2002 on rail transport statistics and with Railway Safety Directive 2004/49/EC.


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Thank you for your attention

The Author: Ján NastišinPresented by: Martina Pavliková

© ŽSR – Železnice Slovenskej republikyDepartment of Safety and Inspection


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international educational conference „let‘s save lives“ tallinn, estonia, march 15 th, 2011...

Documents

number of lxs

number of active lxs

lxs justification

numbers of active lxs

tallinnlevel crossings

number of accidents

middle lxs density

number of people