What measures are taken to improve road safety around railway tracks?

Answer

Several measures are taken to improve road safety around railway tracks. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and Prorail are working on two programmes to improve railway safety: the PLC programme and the National Level Crossing Improvement Programme (NLCIP) [17] [18] (see below). Furthermore, the frequently used Flitsmeister app now also warns drivers when they approach a passive level crossing which is known to be hazardous [28].

PLC programme – approach to unprotected level crossing

The purpose of the PLC programme (PLC = Passive Level crossing; NABO in Dutch = Niet Actief Beveiligde Overweg) is to protect or abolish all public PLCs for passenger lines before 2028, or to render them publicly inaccessible [18]. The crossings will be protected (33%), will be turned into split-level crossings (16%), will be abolished (47%) or rendered publicly inaccessible (4%) [17] [18]. Abolishing unprotected level crossings will probably prevent most PLC crashes and casualties, even if the safest level crossing is one at which road users cross a railway track at split-level. Or as ProRail concluded: ‘the safest level crossing is no crossing’ [29].

NLCIP

The NLCIP (NLCIP = National Level Crossing Improvement Programme; LVO in Dutch = Landelijk Verbeterprogramma Overwegen) aims to improve level crossings throughout the Netherlands by e.g.: optimising closure periods (the time a level crossing is closed), influencing traveller behaviour, making level crossings more conspicuous, or by offering a safe way out to individuals caught between closed barriers [30]. In 2018, Prorail started a pilot with smart cameras at two level crossings in the town of Hilversum to facilitate fining for misconduct at level crossings. The cameras are able to observe deviant behaviour, such as red light negation or stopping on the level crossing. Most fines (80%) were imposed for red light negation. In addition, drivers regularly stop on the level crossing or drive onto it while traffic at the other side is jammed [31]. Every week, enforcement activities take place at different level crossings throughout the country to fine pedestrians and cyclists for dangerous behaviour (a.o. slalom behaviour, walking or riding around closed half-barriers) [31].

Part of fact sheet

Public transport and level crossings

This fact sheet describes the road safety aspects of public transport and of level crossings – places where road and rail networks… Meer

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