Level crossing

A level crossing (also called a grade crossing, a railway crossing, or a railroad crossing) is a place where a railway line and a road meet each other on the same level. This means that the grades (the road and the track) are not separated by using a bridge or a tunnel. Usually, there are signs indicating the crossing. There may also be barriers/gates that go down before a train passes.

Depending on how much traffic there is, there are different measures to make the crossing more secure:

  • Signs or panels, indicating the crossing
  • Blinking or steady lights
  • Sounds (usually a warning bell)
  • Gates/barriers that are lowered before a train passes

Since level crossings are dangerous (there are many accidents), they are usually reworked into grade separated crossings when there is more traffic, or high speed trains.

Images
  • Unsecured crossing indicated by a sign. This local railway line is in rural Germany, in the Taunus mountains.
    Unsecured crossing indicated by a sign. This local railway line is in rural Germany, in the Taunus mountains.
  • Level crossing with blinking lights
    Level crossing with blinking lights
  • Level crossing with steady lights
    Level crossing with steady lights
  • Lights, and gates/barriers
    Lights, and gates/barriers
  • Sometimes there are people for traffic control.
    Sometimes there are people for traffic control.
  • Level crossing with half-barriers, flashing lights, and a bell
    Level crossing with half-barriers, flashing lights, and a bell
  • A full barrier level crossing in St Bees, Cumbria, that is controlled by the adjacent signal box
    A full barrier level crossing in St Bees, Cumbria, that is controlled by the adjacent signal box
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