Local administration office to sue SRT on uncontrolled railway crossings

[Lite Beer]

Local administration office to sue SRT on uncontrolled railway crossings

BANGKOK: -- The Tambon Ton Mamuang local administration office yesterday designated the Phetburi Lawyers Association to sue the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in the Administrative Court seeking the court to order the state railway to install and man barricades at all its uncontrolled railway crossings at its own costs.

The action of the local administration office came after the incident a week earlier when a passing car was rammed by a speeding passenger train at an uncontrolled railway crossing in Phetburi killing two persons in the car.

Two similar incidents also happened in less than two weeks at the uncontrolled crossings. The latest crash at another uncontrolled crossing in Khon Kaen this week resulted in five deaths and 20 injuries.

The Mamuang local administration office said the SRT claimed it is not its responsibility to install and man the barricades but is that of the local office to pay for all the cost.

The SRT also is considering to file damage suit against the two deaths after train derailed and caught with no mentioning of its responsibility to have enough safety and warning signals at all its uncontrolled railway crossings.

The local office said some motorists especially tourists might not aware of uncontrolled crossings if they happened to drive into unfamiliar routes.

It said it had earlier told the SRT to construct barricades at these crossings and station its personnel there as safety precaution, but it was ignored by the SRT which passed on all cost and burden to local administration office.

The SRT said the crossing is illegally built by locals and therefore it will not support such illegal crossing.

The lawyer association said the SRT is to be held full responsibility in building all barricades as it knew how many illegal crossings have on its tracks so as to build barricades to ensure safety for train passengers, not passing the buck to local people to take care.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/local-administration-office-sue-srt-uncontrolled-railway-crossings/

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-01

[retell]

Illigal crossings should be blocked job for the local gov. , or made official with the cost for srt.

[ExPratt]

Unless its modern signaling , which it isnt , the hold up to road traffic will be huge , it basically works on a phone call from a station when a Train leaves

If it was modern signalling then would be quite an expensive task , with Track circuits being changed which in turn would affect the signals themselves

Bridges and culverts are the answer

[ratcatcher]

In most cases the railway was there first, by a good many years, then people decided to build access roads across the tracks.

The uncontrolled crossings, those with no drop down barrier or flashing warning signals should at least be marked by a stop sign and a "Railway Crossing " sign.

[robblok]

In most cases the railway was there first, by a good many years, then people decided to build access roads across the tracks.

The uncontrolled crossings, those with no drop down barrier or flashing warning signals should at least be marked by a stop sign and a "Railway Crossing " sign.

stop.jpgstop1.jpg

If the railroad was there first it clearly is not the SRT who has to pay or is responsible.

[ExPratt]

If srt sigh post it , they are recognizing it as legitimate. Normally a Railway has a "Right of way" of 20ft either side of outside running rail. Theses areas are fenced on most railways

[seajae]

everywhere you drive you see these home made crossings on railway tracks and highways, the simple reason is that many thais do not like to go out of their way , its also why they ride/drive the wrong way on roads, it is a lot easier for them. They are not interested in obeying the laws, they are just impatient and want to go the shortest/quickest possible way.

Until such time the police step in and start to fine/arrest these idiots and make to obey the rules, stop them from building these bullsh*t home made crossings etc this will continue. Local govts/councils should be responsible for their own areas, its a bit hard to try to blame the srt for other peoples impatience, these crossings should be destroyed/dismantled by the locals people responsible, they should also charge the people responsible for dumping the earth/fill to cause these crossings as well as charge anyone caught using them but that would require them to actually do some work

[ratcatcher]

If srt sigh post it , they are recognizing it as legitimate. Normally a Railway has a "Right of way" of 20ft either side of outside running rail. Theses areas are fenced on most railways

Probably in the UK in or near urban areas. I think the ROW is more likely greater than 20 feet each side.

In rural areas, especially in the USA and Canada, not so unless there are range cattle in the area.

Railways have strict rules regarding operations, the public does not always obey existing signage.

Like I've said before, people getting hit by trains at railroad crossings are usually at fault.

[ExPratt]

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If srt sigh post it , they are recognizing it as legitimate. Normally a Railway has a "Right of way" of 20ft either side of outside running rail. Theses areas are fenced on most railways

Probably in the UK in or near urban areas. I think the ROW is more likely greater than 20 feet each side.

In rural areas, especially in the USA and Canada, not so unless there are range cattle in the area.

Railways have strict rules regarding operations, the public does not always obey existing signage.

Like I've said before, people getting hit by trains at railroad crossings are usually at fault.

I'm going by Malaysia which runs into SRT, We had huge problems with illegal crossings with locals threatening the contractors closing the crossings down , they also ripped out fencing. There are no level crossing left in Malaysia , fences , bridges and culverts were used

[Chao Lao Beach]

Illigal crossings should be blocked job for the local gov. , or made official with the cost for srt.

This is absolutely incredible, so, I agree, just close the railways by the local GOV Problem solved.

The Mamuang local administration office said the SRT claimed it is not its responsibility to install and man the barricades but is that of the local office to pay for all the cost.

The SRT also is considering to file damage suit against the two deaths after train derailed and caught with no mentioning of its responsibility to have enough safety and warning signals at all its uncontrolled railway crossings.

[ChrisY1]

Thai drivers, in general, NEVER stop and look each way before crossing the tracks...whether controlled or not.

Even at controlled crossings with boom gates and flashing lights, Thai drivers still negotiate between the closed booms...........

All of these level crossing accidents could be prevented with a little thought from the driver.........but, behind a wheel, these people are nuts!!

[Route21mkII]

In most cases the railway was there first, by a good many years, then people decided to build access roads across the tracks.

The uncontrolled crossings, those with no drop down barrier or flashing warning signals should at least be marked by a stop sign and a "Railway Crossing " sign.

stop.jpgstop1.jpg

I wouldn't think it would cost too much to erect, as a minimum, both the signs you suggest, together with the word "STOP" below the stop sign (for farangs who can't read Thai) and flashing "RED" solar-powered beacons (similar to the amber ones at dual carriageway U-turns). The signs may also need to be lit by solar-powered LED lights at night.

The "minimal" cost (at least at officially recognised crossings) could, presumably be met by the railway company and, as another poster has suggested, unofficial crossings be blocked to vehicular traffic by the local authority.

Maybe, as an added warning,, train drivers need to be alerted to sound their horn on approaching such crossings.

May save a few lives at minimal cost.

Just sayin'

[ExPratt]

If the crossing is illegal or not SRT sanctioned they will not legitimize them by placing signs or lights near them, all they can do is block them

[Robby nz]

Abject stupidity from the local admin types.

If the really have safety at heart then they should be working with SRT to do something about things not setting up a fight that will cost both parties money.

[ratcatcher]

In most cases the railway was there first, by a good many years, then people decided to build access roads across the tracks.

The uncontrolled crossings, those with no drop down barrier or flashing warning signals should at least be marked by a stop sign and a "Railway Crossing " sign.

stop.jpgstop1.jpg

I wouldn't think it would cost too much to erect, as a minimum, both the signs you suggest, together with the word "STOP" below the stop sign (for farangs who can't read Thai) and flashing "RED" solar-powered beacons (similar to the amber ones at dual carriageway U-turns). The signs may also need to be lit by solar-powered LED lights at night.

The "minimal" cost (at least at officially recognised crossings) could, presumably be met by the railway company and, as another poster has suggested, unofficial crossings be blocked to vehicular traffic by the local authority.

Maybe, as an added warning,, train drivers need to be alerted to sound their horn on approaching such crossings.

May save a few lives at minimal cost.

Just sayin'

"Maybe, as an added warning,, train drivers need to be alerted to sound their horn on approaching such crossings."

I agree, however, all operating employees in train service have rules to follow and all "legitimate' crossings are signposted well in advance in order for the driver to sound the whistle/horn, It is part of the rules.

Taking into account the number of trains and the passengers carried etc, the actual fatalities are quite low,

compared to bus accidents.

Everyone gets in a flap when there is a railway fatality, but road deaths, particularly around Songkran, in their hundreds, cause less of a reaction.

I accept that SRT is not efficient by modern standards, but the public has a responsibility to be cautious when approaching rail crossings.

[fosseway]

The mind boggles when they talk about high speed trains running here in Thailand. With the infrastructure 'Made in thailand' plus the quality control that comes with the Chinese rolling stock !!!

[retell]

The mind boggles when they talk about high speed trains running here in Thailand. With the infrastructure 'Made in thailand' plus the quality control that comes with the Chinese rolling stock !!!

Let us clear this ,, high speed trains ,tracks do not have crossings they are all bridges and tunnels

Even in thailand if they built it .

[worgeordie]

So one part of the Govt. is going to sue another part of the Govt. !

makes sense in Thailand The only winners been lawyers.

regards worgeordie

[retell]

So one part of the Govt. is going to sue another part of the Govt. !

makes sense in Thailand The only winners been lawyers.

regards worgeordie

Was just thinking the same ,, in the end it gets paid with taxmoney

[Lakegeneve]

The mind boggles when they talk about high speed trains running here in Thailand. With the infrastructure 'Made in thailand' plus the quality control that comes with the Chinese rolling stock !!!

Let us clear this ,, high speed trains ,tracks do not have crossings they are all bridges and tunnels

Even in thailand if they built it .

Indeed, the mind boogles that people would be silly enough to think that a HSR line would have road crossings!

[Lakegeneve]

In March 2013 the SRT stated that in the last 6 years 297 people have been killed and 979 injured in 887 accidents at 1938 designated crossings and 562 unofficial rail crossing in Thailand. That is an average of 50 deaths a year or 1 a week!

The obviously primary cause of nearly all accidents at crossings is drivers not stopping to check for oncoming trains or trying to beat the train. It is not like the trains are travelling too fast at unattended crossings given the appalling low average speeds of SRT trains.....

This is more about driver education and discipline that whether or not crossings are staffed. However, granted that as sections of the network are duplicated and upgrade, crossings will be improved and most importantly unofficial ones will be removed (until th elocals go and make a new one)

[Route21mkII]

If people/vehicles continue to ignore all warnings .....

Plan B.

Maybe, one of these days, (& not just in Thailand) approved level crossings (unguarded or otherwise) could be equiped with mini, inexpensive CCTV cameras, pointing across the railtrack at the oncoming traffic in both directions, beamed, maybe via a local wifi hotspot (or otherwise), to the cab of any oncoming train, to alert the driver in time to apply the brakes and avoid a collision.

Depends on what value you place on human life .......

Just sayin'

PS Many smartphones already have the ability to act as a local wifi hotspot - the technology is already available.

[wirat69]

The signs may also need to be lit by solar-powered LED lights at night.

When the sun don't shine where the sun don't shine....

Sunshine, give it a thought before you display your under 5 year old's knowledge of solar power

[thesetat2013]

So here we are once again with everybody pointing the finger at each other. IT'S NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. When in fact both parties should be working together. The city or privince should be making the crossings properly and the SRT should be making them safe for their passengers. I can't wait for their high speed trains to come. Unless they are elevated their will be many crashes and even more deaths

[wirat69]

If people/vehicles continue to ignore all warnings .....

Plan B.

Maybe, one of these days, (& not just in Thailand) approved level crossings (unguarded or otherwise) could be equiped with mini, inexpensive CCTV cameras, pointing across the railtrack at the oncoming traffic in both directions, beamed, maybe via a local wifi hotspot (or otherwise), to the cab of any oncoming train, to alert the driver in time to apply the brakes and avoid a collision.

Depends on what value you place on human life .......

Just sayin'

PS Many smartphones already have the ability to act as a local wifi hotspot - the technology is already available.

TRAIN AND TRACK SAFETY: STOPPING DISTANCE

Trains can't stop quickly or swerve. The average freight train is about 1 to 1¼ miles in length (90 to 120 rail cars). When it's moving at 55 miles an hour, it can take a mile or more to stop after the locomotive engineer fully applies the emergency brake. An 8-car passenger train moving at 80 miles an hour needs about a mile to stop. How does this compare to other vehicles?

According to the National Safety Council:

• A lightweight passenger car traveling at 55 miles an hour can stop in about 200 feet in an emergency - under perfect conditions - that is, if tires and brakes are in good condition and the road is dry.
• A commercial van or bus will need about 230 feet to stop.
• A commercial truck/trailer can stop in about 300 feet - that's the length of a football field.
• A light rail train requires about 600 feet to stop - the length of two football fields.
• Compared to this, the average freight train we mentioned above traveling at 55 miles an hour may take the length of about 18 football fields to stop.

Trains can't swerve - they can only follow the track. The only thing the engineer can do is apply the emergency brake.

Wi-Fi networks have limited range. A typical wireless access point using 802.11b or 802.11g with a stock antenna might have a range of 35 m (115 ft) indoors and 100 m (330 ft) outdoors. IEEE 802.11n, however, can more than double the range.^[42] Range also varies with frequency band. Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz frequency block has slightly better range than Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz frequency block used by 802.11a (and optionally by 802.11n). On wireless routers with detachable antennas, it is possible to improve range by fitting upgraded antennas which have higher gain in particular directions. Outdoor ranges can be improved to many kilometers through the use of high gain directional antennas at the router and remote device(s). In general, the maximum amount of power that a Wi-Fi device can transmit is limited by local regulations, such as FCC Part 15 in the US.

Makes your suggestion sound very expensive. Might be cheaper to utilise GPS and satellite connection!

Maybe a unique local solution would be for cars on a railway crossing to trigger an uplift buffer 45 metres either side of the crossing, bringing happiness to the train drivers through their Dukes of Hazzard experiences!!

[atyclb]

can they add causes of action to the petition and demand;?

# people have situational awareness

# common sense

[retell]

The signs may also need to be lit by solar-powered LED lights at night.

When the sun don't shine where the sun don't shine....

Sunshine, give it a thought before you display your under 5 year old's knowledge of solar power

,

Think he just forgot to put battery in the scentence

[Lakegeneve]

So here we are once again with everybody pointing the finger at each other. IT'S NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. When in fact both parties should be working together. The city or privince should be making the crossings properly and the SRT should be making them safe for their passengers. I can't wait for their high speed trains to come. Unless they are elevated their will be many crashes and even more deaths

Here we are once again with someone not using their common sense nor even bothering to read a few posts above in the thread........

Is it really so difficult to contemplate the fact that high speed lines DO NOT have crossings!

[retell]

So here we are once again with everybody pointing the finger at each other. IT'S NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. When in fact both parties should be working together. The city or privince should be making the crossings properly and the SRT should be making them safe for their passengers. I can't wait for their high speed trains to come. Unless they are elevated their will be many crashes and even more deaths

Here we are once again with someone not using their common sense nor even bothering to read a few posts above in the thread........

Is it really so difficult to contemplate the fact that high speed lines DO NOT have crossings!

Kudos

[retell]

Unless they are so smart to make an elevated high speed train crossing , should be perfectly safe