To enhance safety at level crossings, railways today launched field trials of warning system for road users as well as train drivers using latest technology of radio frequency based system and close circuit cameras.
Accidents have come down as compared to last year but our aim is to achieve zero accident at level crossing, Railway Minister
Suresh Prabhu said at Mumbai while launching the field trials of the safety-related initiatives through video conferencing.
Accidents at unmanned level crossings is a major concern as maximum mishaps takes place at these crossings across the country.
He said railways is seeking a separate fund for carrying out safety related projects to prevent accidents.
We have written to Finance Minister seeking Rs 1 lakh crore as safety fund to prevent accidents at unmanned level crossings, Prabhu said.
Using latest technologies, the trials are being conducted to give warning to road users of approaching trains using radio frequency based method and also visual warning to train drivers sensing of obstruction on level crossing.
Warning to road users will be carried out through the radio frequency from approaching train to alert road users through flash lights activated by signals picked up by special equipments.
For the loco pilots, electronic observation using suitable close circuit cameras are being made so as to sense obstruction more than a particular size. If the obstruction continues on the track beyond the normal travel time, the flashing yellow light is shown to driver of approaching trains to warn about the obstruction.
