Level crossing audible alerts volume

[mike57]

One of level crossings in the village has a very quiet audible, I am deaf and cant hear it at all, the other one I can hear fine.

So, is there a minimum sound level? I took a video of it this morning and played it to my wife, she said she could hear it but it was quiet.

Where do I go with it, it doesn't feel like an 'emergency', but maybe a minor problem. For context there is a minimal amount of foot traffic, a few cyclists, and car drivers probably wouldn't hear it anyway

If any one is interested I have put a video here

 

[RailwayRookie]

I dont know if all, but definitely some crossings will have a different volume of audible alert for unsociable hours. could this possible be the case here?

If the crossing is the same volume at midday as here then its apparently just quieter, but on the off chance you've only been around it when its in "quiet mode" it could be that.

Source: Im a signaller that has been jumpscared by my own MCBs Yodels changing to loud while my head is two foot from it. (More than once)

 

[mike57]

If the crossing is the same volume at midday as here then its apparently just quieter,

Yes it is, I usually go out at lunchtime, and have been surprised by the lights starting without the noise, and just putting down to being quite deaf. Because I am aware of the problem I do pay extra attention, but others (mainly cyclists I would guess) may not.

 

[Belperpete]

The video is not much help, as it starts when the train is so close that the sound of the train is beginning to drown out the audible alarms. And anyway, how loud the crossing sounds depends on how loud the volume on your PC or phone is set!

Different level crossings have different sound levels depending on the ambient noise levels. So a crossing in a very quiet rural location will be set to quite a low sound level, whereas one where there may be a higher ambient noise level (even if not all the time) will have its sound level set higher. The potential for the crossing to cause unacceptable noise pollution to nearby residents will also affect the choice of sound level at a particular crossing. So it is quite possible that the two crossings have deliberately been set to different sound levels.

The requirement is for the sound to be audible to someone of reasonable hearing at each decision point approaching the crossing (i.e. the point at which you decide to cross or stop) and throughout the crossing area. The warning is mainly intended for pedestrians. It is accepted that the warning may not be effective for someone with reduced hearing, or who is wearing ear plugs or headphones, or is in a car - which is why there are other types of warning provided (lights and barriers).

I suggest that you ask your wife or someone else with reasonably normal hearing to go to the crossing and see if they can hear the warnings when the crossing first starts. If they have difficulty hearing it, then complain using the phone number that should be on a sign at the crossing. I doubt that any complaint about not hearing the alarm is going to get very far from someone who says that they are deaf!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

When they put in the new MCB-CCTV crossing at Chartham (Kent) to replace a manual gated crossing, NR listened to villagers' concerns and reduced the volume on the warning klaxton. It is very quiet!

 

[mike57]

I doubt that any complaint about not hearing the alarm is going to get very far from someone who says that they are deaf!

This is why I played it to my wife. Unfortunately my phone was in my bike bag and by the time I got it out train was approaching.

 

[AlterEgo]

This is why I played it to my wife. Unfortunately my phone was in my bike bag and by the time I got it out train was approaching.

But your phone doesn't replicate the volume of what one hears. If I record a video of a plane taking off 100 metres away and play it to someone it won't blast their ears off in the same way.

 

[Trainman40083]

Ah yes, the YO3 yodalarm. Perfect for use on lighthouses and ship decks. Installed, angled down 45 degrees towards the pavement and hopefully to let any water inside drain out. Once, there was an issue with them, and supply of the railway version became as rare as hens teeth. Some buyers bought the standard version from their electrical wholesalers... Just one problem, you can turn the railway version off, so it isn't operating at anti social hours. The normal one, you can't.