Level Crossings JE W Induction Ph II 1

Level Crossings JE W – Induction – Ph – II 1. 0

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

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 the 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.

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

Classification of roads (Para-903) • Class I --- National Highways, State High ways, Important roads within municipal towns , roads in around towns where road & rail traffic is heavy. • Class II --- Major & Other district roads, Unimportant roads within municipal towns, roads within nonmunicipal towns including those within shunting limits, other surfaced roads. • Class III --- Earth roads & cart tracks. • Class IV --- Cattle crossings & footpaths.

Classification of LC Class Criteria Min No of GK Special Class TVU > 50, 000. 3 ‘A’ Class TVU 50, 000 - 30, 000 Or Line Capacity utilization 80 percent (On single line) and Number of Road Vehicles greater than 1000. 2 ‘B’ Class TVU 30, 000 -20, 000 and No. of Road Vehicles >750. ‘B 1’ Class TVU 30, 000 -25, 000. ‘B 2’ Class TVU between 25, 000 - 20, 000. ‘C’ Class All other Level Crossings for Roads not covered in above classes. ‘D’ Class - Cattle Crossings 2 2 (1 if closed at night)

Line Capacity of a Section Line capacity : Number of Trains that can be run on the section in 24 hrs. = 24 x 60 x 85 L + 5 100 Ø Where L = Maximum time taken in minutes by longest goods train to clear longest block section. Ø 5 minutes added for block instrument, which will not be added in case of automatic block section.

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

Calculation of Census of LC • Total no. of train units in 7 days (T) where Each Train is taken as 1 Unit. • Total no. of Road vehicle units in 7 days (R) • Each Four wheeled Motor vehicles, Bullock Carts & Tongas considered as 1 Unit. , Each Cycle Rickshaw/Auto Rickshaws considered as 1/2 Unit. • Motorized two wheelers are considered as 1/4 Unit. (Correction slip no. 144 of IRPWM) • Thus, Census of LC in TVU per day = (T x R)/7 • 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.

Traffic LC Gates • Manning and operation of LC gates between the outermost stop signal shall be under the control of Operating Department. • Civil Infrastructure (Road, Gate Lodge, water, toilet & drinking water facility etc) pertaining to these LC gates shall be maintained by the Engineering Department. • Competency certificate to GK will be issued by TI & SSE/Sig (for interlocked gate) and countersigned by AOM. • Validity of comp certificate-3 years • Medical category of GK- A 2 (used interchangeably as Pointsman)

Engineering LC Gates • Operation and maintenance of LC’s beyond the outermost signals shall be under the control of Engg Deptt • Competency certificate to GK will be issued by SSE/P. Way & SSE/Sig(for interlocked gate) and countersigned by ADEN. • Validity of comp certificate – 3 years • Medical category of GK- A 3

Rumble Strips at LC • IRPWM Para 918 • Provision of Rumble strips on both side approaches of LC by Road Authorities

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 20 m from the gate post of LC

Speed Breaker at LC • Distance of Speed Breaker Board from location of Speed Breaker As per CS No. Sl Type of No. Road Distance of SB Bd from Speed Breaker 1 NH & SH 120 60 2 MDR 90 50 3 ODR 60 40 4 Rural Roads 40 30 135, Colour of Speed breaker Sign has been changed from Yellow to Black.

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. • located at a min distance of 8 m from the gate post but can be reduced to 8 m from c/l of track with permission from Chief Engineer. • Maximum height of top boom from the road surface (lowest point) shall be 4. 67 m. • Height gauge shall be painted 300 mm alternate black & white

Width of Gates • Minimum width of gates are governed by Class of Roads, at right angles to center line of road; Class 1 roads Class 2 roads Class 3 roads Class 4 roads 9 m or (X +2. 5 m) whichever is more 7. 5 m or (X +2 m) whichever is more 5. 0 m or (X +1. 25 m) whichever is more Suitable Width subject to Min 2. 0 m Where, X= Carriage way width Minimum Sight Distance of LC Gate from Road in the vicinity of LC Details Class III Plain or Rolling terrain 120 m 60 to 90 m 40 m Hill country 60 m 40 to 50 m 30 m

Level length & Gradient Class of Road Class III Level and Gradients Between Gates Level Outside gates 15 m beyond 8 m beyond Level up to Not steeper 1 in 40 beyond 1 in 30 beyond 1 in 20 beyond than Straight Length of Road Outside the Gate Desirable Minimum 30 m 15 m 22. 5 m 9 m 15 m 4. 5 m

INSPECTION OF LEVEL CROSSING Level Crossing Equipments Gateman Knowledge Documents, Health & promptness Fixed Portable Infrastructure Track side Road user point

Inspection of Level Crossings By SSE/PWAY • Once in a month by rotation by In-charge & Sectional PWI • Equipment & Knowledge of GK, Should conduct practical demonstration of protection of LC gate in case of emergency to see the preparedness and promptness of GK • He will check that on duty GK is as per roster. • Maintain a manuscript register of repairs for all LC gates on his section, showing date of opening, condition of sleepers & age, details of change of sleeper etc. Check competency, medical & refresher details Refresher – Every 3 years Medical Examination- A 3 category Age Medical Examination <45 Every 4 yrs 45 -55 Every 2 yrs >55 Every year

Inspection of Level Crossings ADEN • Equipment's & 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.

General Items to be checked at LC’s • Condition of gate lodge, drinking water & toilet facility, electricity • Road surface & Speed breaker (20 m from gate post) • Various road sign boards Caution board, warning board, speed breaker board • Height gauge (minimum 8 m from Gate post) maximum height 4. 67 m above road surface • Protection diagram, OH date, TVU details • Arrangement for fixing of banner flag &Tri colour HS lamp • Check rail clearance, condition of track & its parameters at LC & approach • LC No. Bd, W/L Bd, detonator indicators at 1200 m/600 m, fencing 15 (min) • Equipment as per IRPWM para 910. • Knowledge of GK for protection/emergency • LC gates which remain closed during night, should have a board prominently displaying this fact.

General Items to be checked at LC’s • Documents • • Gate Working Rules/Instructions, duty roster, details of competency, refresher, PME of GK private no. book /sheet, Train entry register, public complaint register, LC inspection book, Equipment failure register telephone, gate boom, wall clock, gate signal, sliding Bar • Statutory warning Board • Planning of plantation at LC gate • Feasibility for closure of LC by LHS/diversion/RUB/Light weight ROB/ ROB

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 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

Visibility requirements for Unmanned LC On single / double line, Visibility requirement for road users along the track shall be 600 M. Where not feasible, distance reduced suitably with approval of CE, provided max. permissible speed is less than 100 KMPH & or there is only single track to be crossed on Level Crossing. Visibility of trains for Road Users at LC may be assessed from a distance of 5 m from the centre of the track.

Instructions on elimination of UM LC Bd Lr No 2017/CE-IV/LX/100 (Committee) dt 29 -05 -2018 • Target date for elimination of All UMLC- Sep 2018 • GM competent Authority – Manning / Interlocking etc – No reference need to be made to Board. • Total MLC not > 10 (Interlocked + Non-I) in a Block section with total Non-interlocked not > 5. • Manning of UMLC with Leaf gate / Chain barrier initially – regularized by Lifting barrier, Porta cabin till regular gate lodge. • Proper communication to be ensured (Quad cable to be ensured) • Electricity through Solar means • Manpower – only Permanent Trackmen. Outsourcing - retired / exservicemen / home guards • Manpower – validity of RRC panels of erstwhile Gr D being extended. • Recruitment of Course Completed Act Apprentices NOT permitted.

Instructions on elimination of UM LC Bd Lr No 2017/CE-IV/LX/100 (Committee) dt 29 -05 -2018 • Existing Policy for manning based on TVU is modified – GM has powers to decide on interlocking of LC regardless of TVU based on various aspects of train operations. • Additional Expenditure will have to made available for manning as interim measure – LHS at later stage – within GM powers of sanction 3479 UM LC gates have been eliminated during the year 18 -19. Thus, all UMLC on BG have been eliminated as on 01 -02 -2019 Accidents on unmanned level crossings have reduced from 20 in 2017 -18 to 3 in the current year upto Dec. , 2018.

Targets for Railways FY 2019 -20 All (MLCs) to be eliminated by construction of new ROBs/RUBs ■ GQ/GD by 2022 ■ All others by 2024 Mission mode: Gear up to eliminate MLCs at double rate as compared to previous years progress i. e. (2 Nos. per day as against One per day during same period last year). This shall enhance safety and improve mobility of train operations. Rajdhani route to be upgraded to semi-High speed route – 160 KMPH The road surface on LC shall commence use of Rubberized materials at par with global standards which allow smooth passage of Road traffic at busy LCs hence improving mobility.

Provision of IR Act 1989 for LC • Section- 146 - Obstructing Rly Servant in his duties – • If any person willfully obstructs or prevent any Railway Servant in the discharge of his duties, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or both.

Provision of IR Act 1989 for LC • Section- 160 - Opening or Breaking any LC Gate – • If any person other than a Railway Servant or a person authorized in this behalf, opens any gate or Chain or Barrier set up on either side of a Level Crossing which is closed to road traffic, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years. • If any person breaks any gate or Chain or Barrier set up on either side of a Level Crossing which is closed to road traffic, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years. • Railway Act 1989 and Motor Vehicle act 1988