Proposed Methodology for the Calculation of Overview Distances at Level Crossings and the Inclusion Thereof in National Standards

Abstract

The aim of this article is to find a rational solution for increasing the safety of level crossings in the Czech Republic on the basis of a set of representative level crossings. The Czech Republic was deliberately chosen because of its geographical location, the number of level crossings on the network, and because, according to statistics from the Rail Safety Inspection Office, the country ranks as one of the highest for the number of accidents at level crossings. The rational solution being sought is one that achieves a balance between legislative, technical, and awareness-raising measures. In the practical part, great emphasis is placed on the assessment of the current state of Czech legislation. The identified discrepancies are resolved by adjusting calculations for overview distances and proposing changes to incorrect provisions. The main contribution of this paper is the comprehensive overview that it provides of level crossings and their safety. This overview includes a description of the current state of affairs, i.e., the number of level crossings, their location, classification, construction and type of equipment used, as well as an analysis of accidents and their frequency. The latter is in relation to the proposed construction and technical solution and subsequent assessment of the rationalisation possibilities and investments required to reconstruct or remove existing level crossings, thereby affecting the accident rate.