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Outdated tech, bamboo gates are part of rail crossing protection
View(s):By Nathara Abeywickrema
Measures are being taken to improve protective mechanisms at rail crossings to reduce accidents, railway authorities say.
Most accidents involve vehicles and the impacts with locomotives cause extensive and multiple internal and external injuries such as skull fractures. Some are decapitated and some injuries even lead to amputations.
General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways W.A.D.S. Gunasinghe told the Sunday Times that short-term and long-term plans are being undertaken to reduce accidents.
“We have to accept that flaws exist with bell and light systems owing to longer power outages, low battery and circuit failures due to natural phenomena such as lightning. We are developing a central monitoring system,’’ he said. “We also intend to install 200 gates manned by the Special Task Force.’’
There are 1,352 level crossings across the country out of which 1,167 are run by the Sri Lanka Railways. The remaining 185 are considered public level crossings that are private sector-led.
Out of the 1,167 railways-led level crossings, 738 are regarded as protected and 429 of crossings across the country lack adequate warning devices such as lights and gates. More than half of all railroad accidents occur at unprotected crossings.
Last year, there were 94 incidents at level crossings, causing 18 deaths. Forty five people were maimed. In the first trimester this year there were 53 incidents leading to 4 deaths. Twenty two were maimed.
In 2020, there were 326 collisions where there were barriers, and in 2019, there were 584.
Chief engineer (signal and telecommunication) of Sri Lanka Railways Chinthaka Jayasekara said: “Accidents at unprotected railroad crossings are mainly caused by malfunctioning signals. If some piece of guidance equipment such as a rail switch or safety equipment, for instance, a rail signal fails, it can lead to a deadly accident.”
Bell and light warnings are in 430 areas and gatemen are at 440 level crossings at under the guidance of Sri Lanka Police.
“The number of level crossings has tripled, but the worker shortage persists. Two hundred level crossings are protected with bamboo gates. We are planning to outsource more railway signalling and safety equipment for the time being.’’
The Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardane said unprotected crossings should be handled with the help of local authorities.
Mr Jayasekara said many level crossings are not operating and warning lights are defective. These are being fixed.
“A common contributor is the decades-old, outdated technology still frequently used by railways and trains. Better technology is available to improve safety, but adopting these features is often put on hold because it involves a hefty investment,” Mr Jayasekara said.
“The train operator, railway employees and the company itself can do everything within their ability to follow all the required safety procedures but accidents at level crossings would still happen due to negligence. Mechanical failure and defective parts are more unorthodox than other common causes of collisions, but they do happen every so often. I believe law enforcement would be an ideal preventive method to minimise accidents.’’
Negligence or neglect of employees account for most accidents. Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Thalduwa said carelessness causes accidents.
“It is the cases that are reported in the press, or in the courts that make the totals so large that occur every day in the same old way, and the cases which could
or should be avoided by exercising
greater care.’’
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