Rising fatal train crashes at rail crossing points in Thailand prompts study into actual causes

[webfact]

Rising fatal train crashes at cross points prompt study into actual causes



BANGKOK: -- Rising fatal accidents at railway crossings nationwide is a concern for relevant government agencies and educational institutions to find out what is or are the actual causes.

Statistics from the State Railway of Thailand revealed that during the past two months, there were 11 incidents at the railway crossings resulting in nine deaths, and 50 injuries.

However for the past three years from 2012 to 2014, there were altogether 380 incidents at railway crossings across the country with 92 people killed and 387 others injured.

This shocking figure prompted at least one university to conduct on the spot finding of the real causes of the incidents.

One common question always asked when a collision occurs is why the driver did not come to a full stop when approaching railway tracks.

Many agencies have tried to analyze these accidents including the Khon Kaen Road Safety Network and Khon Kaen University which have conducted field surveys as part of their investigation.

Their research have revealed that environmental factors contribute to these accidents such as inappropriate or lack of proper warning signages as well as inclines and overgrown vegetation at railway crossings which impair motorists’ vision.

Professor Wichuda Sathiennam from the Civil Engineering Faculty of Khon Kaen University, one of the research team advised, “When approaching a railway crossing, the right thing to do would be to come to a full stop and, look and listen for on-coming trains before crossing. There are usually no barriers at railway crossings on cross country roads or warning signages. Sometimes the signage is there however it’s not visible in the dark.”

The team experimented on crossing a railway track during the night and it discovered that most of the time one would not be able to see the railway tracks.

Only residents in the area who are familiar with the roads are aware of these tracks and signages.

More importantly, if you’re not looking closely enough, you won’t be able to see the signage, Prof Wichuda said.

Although environment factors contribute to these incidences, the ultimate responsibility on making a safe crossing rests in the hands of the motorists to be extra vigilant at these cross points. This means adhering to road safety procedures and respecting road safety, she said.

The railway crossing crash count in the past month totals to four accidents; the most recent incident being the accident in Nakhon Si Thammarat which resulted in four fatalities.

Onsite inspection reveals that the scene of the incident did not have a barrier between the railway tracks and on-coming traffic.

A similar incident occurred in Khon Kaen where a train collided with a vehicle resulting in five deaths. Here it was discovered that the crossing also did not have a barrier and local authorities argued that this was because traffic in the area is sparse.

One reason for the severity of the accident is the fact that the railway tracks is located on an incline which makes it difficult for on-coming traffic to see approaching trains.

Moreover, there are many crossing points on railway lines which increase the risk of collision.

A railway engineer of Khon Kaen Maintenance Office Mr. Kampol Boonchom recalled a fatal crash in Khon Kaen where five were killed.

He said the railway track is on an incline therefore when there is a collision; the vehicles remain stuck instead of rolling out. This creates even more problems as other on-coming vehicles may run into the wreck resulting in even more damage. We have discussed this issue internally and we’re considering removing the incline as it impairs vision.”

What is more worrying are the illegal railway crossings which are created by local residents in the area.

There are over 500 illegal crossings in the country. As a technicality, any accidents that occur at these crossing are not within the railway authority’s responsibilities. The railway authority is also not obligated to set-up barriers at these illegal crossing points.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/rising-fatal-train-crashes-cross-points-prompt-study-actual-causes


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-20

[CelticBhoy]

"what is or are the actual causes"

Shouldn't take them long to work that out . . . . . . . on the other hand

[sjjmmi]

Running the lights, not looking for trains

Edited November 20, 2014 by sjjmmi

[Commerce]

"Their research have revealed that environmental factors contribute to these accidents such as inappropriate or lack of proper warning signages as well as inclines and overgrown vegetation at railway crossings which impair motorists’ vision."

Vegetation impairs vision? I would have thought it was more the vegetative state of the drivers.

Blame inclines, blame hidden signs; but don't blame mindless, crap driving....

[clockman]

They never do a self examination! Till they accept there society failings. Nothing will change.

[worgeordie]

The obvious cause is stupid drivers,drove across the tracks yesterday

and for last few weeks no problem, why should today be different !

regards Worgeordie

[meatboy]

"what is or are the actual causes"

Shouldn't take them long to work that out . . . . . . . on the other hand

it takes brains to work this one out,that is why its taking you so longgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

[Costas2008]

"The railway authority is also not obligated to set-up barriers at these illegal crossing points."

Now I've heard everything...........if it is illegal, block the bloody crossing, otherwise put an <deleted> barrier.

We are speaking about the lives of hundreds of people and you are talking about legal or illegal?

[jaltsc]

" find out what is or are the actual causes..."

Total incompetency across the board?

"... the right thing to do would be to come to a full stop and, look and listen for on-coming trains before crossing..."

No need for that when I am wearing my trusty/lucky amulet.

Edited November 20, 2014 by jaltsc

[ratcatcher]

"One common question always asked when a collision occurs is why the driver did not come to a full stop when approaching railway tracks."

Many Thai drivers don't come to a stop at STOP signs, and red traffic lights, to some, are merely a suggestion to slow down.

[Anthony5]

"what is or are the actual causes"

Shouldn't take them long to work that out . . . . . . . on the other hand

Probably because Thais are always in such a hurry to get to their next job that they don't want to waste time waiting for a railway crossing.

[zaphod reborn]

I'll save them a lot of money. Uncontrolled railroad crossings. In 10 seconds, the answer can be found on Wikipedia.

"Level crossings constitute a significant safety concern internationally. On average, each year 400 people are killed in the EU and over 300 in the US . In level crossing accidents. Collisions can occur with vehicles as well as pedestrians; pedestrian collisions are more likely to result in a fatality. Among pedestrians, young people (5–19 years), older people (60 years and over) and males are considered to be high risk users.

In terms of warning systems, level crossings are either passive crossings which have warnings such as signs, or active crossings which have automatic warning devices such as boom gates, flashing lights and warning tones. Fewer collisions take place at level crossings with active warning systems. Today, radar sensor systems for automatic level crossing free detection are a cheap way to improve safety of level crossings."

BTW, has anyone ever seen an active crossing in Thailand. Not me. Just crossing guards manually pulling and pushing crossing gates.

[ratcatcher]

I'll save them a lot of money. Uncontrolled railroad crossings. In 10 seconds, the answer can be found on Wikipedia.

"Level crossings constitute a significant safety concern internationally. On average, each year 400 people are killed in the EU and over 300 in the US . In level crossing accidents. Collisions can occur with vehicles as well as pedestrians; pedestrian collisions are more likely to result in a fatality. Among pedestrians, young people (5–19 years), older people (60 years and over) and males are considered to be high risk users.

In terms of warning systems, level crossings are either passive crossings which have warnings such as signs, or active crossings which have automatic warning devices such as boom gates, flashing lights and warning tones. Fewer collisions take place at level crossings with active warning systems. Today, radar sensor systems for automatic level crossing free detection are a cheap way to improve safety of level crossings."

BTW, has anyone ever seen an active crossing in Thailand. Not me. Just crossing guards manually pulling and pushing crossing gates.

Many like this all over Thailand.

You need to get out more.

[Commerce]

Can't get there fast enough!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HScTfb235Q

This latter being ridiculous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAW7i_4W6F0

Edited November 20, 2014 by Commerce

[allan michaud]

It's not rocket science. The high numbers are due to the same reasons Thailand has the 3rd most dangerous roads on the planet. No real training, licence's being bought rather than earned, poor roads, poor signage, drunken drivers, corrupt and incompetent police.

[elgordo38]

As my old boss used to say if I had an accident its human error

[Commerce]

As my old boss used to say if I had an accident its human error

Not necessarily you own, either.

[Commerce]

Shouldn't there be a prompt into rising farang beach deaths and their causes too?

Edited November 20, 2014 by Commerce

[dotpoom]

"One common question always asked when a collision occurs is why the driver did not come to a full stop when approaching railway tracks."

I have thought often about this when a motorbike comes speeding out of a side road in front of me without ever looking to see if anything was coming. The conclusion I came to was that if they don't look they won't see anything....and if they don't see anything then nothing must be coming.... so it's safe to shoot straight out unto the main road.

Edited November 20, 2014 by dotpoom

[Time Traveller]

I'm no trained railway crossing engineer. But my guess at the actual cause of these fatal accidents is cars being on the tracks when the train comes.

Of course, the government will need to spend a couple of billion baht for "consultants" to further this study and come to a conclusion.

Edited November 20, 2014 by Time Traveller

[ExPratt]

They way to solve is Bridges and Tunnels , which is what they have in Malaysia with their new project. It has to be fool proof which the crossings are not , You are always going to have one doughnut who wants to get through as the gates are closing

[rethaier]

I studied it.

Conclusions: 1 Stupid people that think they can beat the train. 2. Stupid people who don't look before crossing. 3. Stupid people who are to drunk to be driving. 4. A loose nut behind the steering wheel.

Summation: Stupidity.

[Cake Monster]

Actual cause

1) Train on a track that it cannot deviate from travelling at speed with a payload of several hundred tons, and a very long stopping distance

2) Somchai in pickup in all too much of a hurry to find the money in order to pay off his over leveraged debt burden.

3 ) Stupidity

Next !

[Tatsujin]

Ignorance and stupidity. Case solved and closed.

[JacChang]

I think they put the wrong car in the picture. Most cars that get smashed so far are Honda

[mikemac]

I regard myself as a sympathetic person, but it is very hard to feel sorry for some people when it comes to motoring accidents.

Trying to beat a train is just plain madness, not looking both ways when crossing the tracks ditto.

Have seen many motorbikes go around the boom gate and duck across in front of trains.

Like the guy who is liquored up behind the wheel of his pick-up, tries to overtake a truck on a blind cornet and ends up dead, wrapped around a tree. Feel sorry for the poor tree.

I also believe they are going about things the wrong way, trying to enforce road rules. Hit them where it hurts, big fines for driving drunk, overtaking in a reckless manner, speeding etc etc etc. and confiscation of car or motorcycle for a period of time, depending on the law broken.

[mogo51]

What train? What is a railway track? No kajai!!!

[Thai at Heart]

What did they think caused them before?

Bad luck?

[outsider]

Trying to be intellectual here are we? You need to study THIS???

[Eneukman]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"One common question always asked when a collision occurs is why the driver did not come to a full stop when approaching railway tracks."

Many Thai drivers don't come to a stop at STOP signs, and red traffic lights, to some, are merely a suggestion to slow down.

They way to solve is Bridges and Tunnels , which is what they have in Malaysia with their new project. It has to be fool proof which the crossings are not , You are always going to have one doughnut who wants to get through as the gates are closing

I got stopped at a level crossing in Pattaya, which actually had barriers! One idiot motorcyclist got his just reward for trying to cross as the barriers were coming down though. The barrier struck him a glancing blow on his head knocking his helmet off (he was actually wearing one)! With a bit of luck it may also have knocked some sense into him!

Alan