Level crossings

Level crossings occur when road vehicles and railway lines cross at the same level. Due to the low resistance resulting from the contact of steel on steel railways are able to transport large loads with very low energy consumption. This advantage is transformed by level crossings into a disadvantage. Sanding equipment can in some cases increase the resistance between the wheel and rail, thereby reducing the braking distance, but with the exception of very low speeds, as in the case of trams, it is not possible for trains to drive on sight, under normal operating conditions. The necessary stopping distance of the vehicle is usually greater than the range of vision of the driver.

Within the system, this situation is solved by sophisticated signal and train control systems. This is a particular challenge, however, if other modes of transport suddenly cross the railway on the same level. Intersections therefore have to be protected technically or non-technically, in order to secure an accident-free crossing, taking into account the different technical framework conditions. The nature of the necessary protection is very much tied to the national legislation and can be influenced by numerous parameters.

The following criteria are applied in Germany[1]

  • Type of road.
  • Traffic volume.
  • Speed of the railway line.
  • Importance of the railway line.
  • Number of tracks.

According to a report by the European Union Agency for Railways[2] there were 114,580 railway level crossings in the 28 EU member states in the year 2014, which corresponds to an average of a railway crossing every two track kilometres. It is therefore not surprising that 30% of the accidents in the rail sector occur on level crossings. 

Level crossing
Level crossing
© Thorsten Schaeffer

Currently lines where the maximum permissible speed is > 160 km/h are required not to have level crossings. In this case, crossings should be planned as bridges or underpasses.[3]

Technical protection

The technical protection system advises the traffic participants of an approaching train. Technical devices are:

  • light signals or flashing lights
  • light signals with half barriers or flashing lights with half barriers
  • full barriers with or without light signals
  • call boxes
St Andrew's Cross with integrated light signal
St Andrew's Cross with integrated light signal
© Thorsten Schaeffer

Non-technical safety

A railway crossing without technical protection must allow the traffic participants to see or hear an approaching train in time (whistle signal). A distinction is made between:

  • a level crossing with a good field of view
  • a level crossing with whistles
  • a level crossing with a good field of view and whistles
  • deviation of roads
  • blocked deviation
  • post protection
A level crossing with a good view that is not technically protected
A level crossing with a good view that is not technically protected
© Fabian Hansmann

It must be possible for individual road users to cross the tracks at level crossings without problems. In principle, intersections should be designed where just the legal framework and technical rules of the road construction need to be observed. The traffic volume has a big effect on the choice of the design. You can choose between classic coarse gravel and asphalt concrete, cast-in-situ concrete or large prefabricated concrete elements. These designs are either fitted directly or with special constructions on the existing track grid. It is important to ensure that the train wheels can run unimpeded over the crossing and the railway infrastructure is accessible for maintenance.

Surface of the level crossing must keep the track channel clear
Surface of the level crossing must keep the track channel clear
© Thorsten Schaeffer

You can find suitable specialist literature to the topic here:

Railway Signalling & Interlocking

Railway signalling is one of the few technical fields which are still mainly oriented nationally. However, the international aspect becomes more and more important. The purpose of this book is to give a summary and comparison of railway signalling and interlocking methods at the international Level.
The contents cover the whole range of signalling equipment and methodology.


  1. [1] Freystein, H.; Muncke, M.; Schollmeier, P.: Handbuch Entwerfen von Bahnanlagen. Regelwerke, Planfeststellung, Bau, Betrieb, Instandhaltung ; Eurailpress, Hamburg, 2015.
  2. [2] European Union Agency for Railways: Railway Safety Performance in the European Union. Brüssel, 2016.
  3. [3] Matthews, V.: Bahnbau. Mit 60 Tabellen. Teubner, Wiesbaden, 2007.