Level Crossing Question

[Lawman]

Folks,
Might be a daft question............but here goes.Is there anyway that you could find an exact time that the barriers would go down at a level crossing.l live near motherwell,and on many occasions travel over Logans rd level crossing(wcml).This can be a very busy crossing.There have been times that you could be waiting for trains to pass for 10-15 minutes.l'm not complaining however sometimes the Lawman is in a hurry...........:roll:

 

[scotsman]

No, signallers operate crossings when trains operate a certain circuit, which reminds them to operate the crossing then, if clear, clear the signals.

 

[GB]

Manually operated crossing (both barriers and gates) are worked on the principle that approaching trains must not get a restrictive aspect (YY,Y,R etc) which would cause delay.

After the first train has passed you may find you have a second or third train approaching which may not technically be at the calling point. However the barriers would remain lowered to prevent the barriers rising only to lower a few seconds later which can pose problems. This is where delays to motorists and the public can start to mount up.

 

[ObservationCar]

Folks,
Might be a daft question............but here goes.Is there anyway that you could find an exact time that the barriers would go down at a level crossing.l live near motherwell,and on many occasions travel over Logans rd level crossing(wcml).This can be a very busy crossing.There have been times that you could be waiting for trains to pass for 10-15 minutes.l'm not complaining however sometimes the Lawman is in a hurry...........:roll:

Am I right in thinking this level crossing is the one that is also on a road junction with traffic lights, so the level crossing uses normal traffic lights rather than 2 reds and a yellow. I wonder if there are any other level crossings in the UK using this concept (not including trams or R/G Crossings).

That is a busy section of track so no wonder you have to wait a while, but can you not be patient and enjoy the fine array of rolling stock which blesses your beautiful Lanarkshire town?!

At least its not as busy as the level crossings on the windsor lines, I remember travelling from Waterloo to Bracknell and passing a level crossing just on a junction, which had four sets of barriers, i would suspect them barriers spend more time down than up with 12 trains per hour on each line.

 

[driver9000]

No, signallers operate crossings when trains operate a certain circuit, which reminds them to operate the crossing then, if clear, clear the signals.

Not all level crossings are worked by a signlaman or gate keeper. Automatic level crossings are worked by the approaching train striking a treadle or occupying a track circuit which activates the crossing sequence.

 

[moggie]

Am I right in thinking this level crossing is the one that is also on a road junction with traffic lights, so the level crossing uses normal traffic lights rather than 2 reds and a yellow.

Correct - the road traffic lights are 'interlocked' with the level crossing and my understanding is it's because of the relatively complex road layout at the crossing.

Incidentally on MCB crossings there is an enforced minimum road opening time between crossing operation of about 10 secs therefore after the barrier raise operation is initiated either by signaller or train the crossing cannot be called again until the barriers have been in the raised position for the minimum opening time.

After this period has elapsed, the crossing can be called in the normal way. So when a signaller has multiple trains approaching the crossing they have to factor in this time when deciding if the crossing should be opened. That said I believe there is pressure on signallers to open the crossings for as long as possible on busy roads for obvious reasons.

 

[Kneedown]

Am I right in thinking this level crossing is the one that is also on a road junction with traffic lights, so the level crossing uses normal traffic lights rather than 2 reds and a yellow. I wonder if there are any other level crossings in the UK using this concept (not including trams or R/G Crossings)

Lincoln St CCTV level crossing on the Robin Hood line in the Basford area of Nottingham. Although it does now include the tram line it had normal traffic lights even before the tram was built. I suspect it may be to do with the busy road junction right next to it.

 

[Welshman]

Am I right in thinking this level crossing is the one that is also on a road junction with traffic lights, so the level crossing uses normal traffic lights rather than 2 reds and a yellow. I wonder if there are any other level crossings in the UK using this concept (not including trams or R/G Crossings).

Sleaford station crossing also uses the same principle. And at a major road junction in the town centre, it can cause gridlock when the barriers are down.

 

[SussexMan]

Lincoln St CCTV level crossing on the Robin Hood line in the Basford area of Nottingham. Although it does now include the tram line it had normal traffic lights even before the tram was built. I suspect it may be to do with the busy road junction right next to it.

Sleaford station crossing also uses the same principle. And at a major road junction in the town centre, it can cause gridlock when the barriers are down.

They've both got normal Level Crossing lights when I look on Google Street View and here (they may well be linked to the traffic lights though).

The first example had no double flashing reds and yellow. What permissions would have been needed to have standard traffic lights? I thought level crossings had designs laid down under legislation.

 

[scotsman]

Not all level crossings are worked by a signlaman or gate keeper. Automatic level crossings are worked by the approaching train striking a treadle or occupying a track circuit which activates the crossing sequence.

I should have made myself clearer, I was referring to the crossing in question.

 

[Kneedown]

They've both got normal Level Crossing lights when I look on [URL="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?

You're right!
It's very rare i use the roads that area and i don't pay much attention from the train (Too busy concentrating on the Red signal protecting the single line in front!) All i can say is that the flashing reds are a relatively new addition, probably from when Lincoln St box was decommissioned and the crossing put under control of EMCC.