COIMBATORE: In an attempt to prevent accidents at unmanned level-crossings, the Salem Railway Division is planning to install audio-visual alarms in all its 89 unmanned level-crossings.
The audio-visual system is nothing but an automatic system that produces sound and light when the train reaches the level-crossings, and this would be visible and audible to those who are approaching level-crossings.
“It is a GSM alarm system that can be installed in gates and also there are GPS alarm systems that can be installed in trains,” informed railway sources.
“The system calculates the current train position, speed of train and also calculates the distance between the train from the level-crossings and time it takes to reach the station. In accordance with this, the GSM system produces various alarms and blinking lights. The sound intensity of the alarm and lights would vary with the relative distance of the train from the gate, and also the speed of the train. With the train getting closer to the gate, the volume and nature of signal will be intense,” the sources added further.
The GPS system installed in trains will help loco pilots sense the presence of obstacles like humans, animals, vehicles etc., in the level-crossings so as to either stop or slow down the train.
“There is no official announcement about this system, but our telecommunication team has been experimenting with this. Once successful, official declaration will be done,” said sources.
However, the Railway Passengers Association (RPA) is apprehensive, and has termed the system as not a perfect solution for the problem. “We have given representations some months back to have a railway gate and a level-crossing guard in all un-manned level-crossings falling under the Salem division. But the railways have not responded positively. The new alarm system is cost effective, but may not serve the purpose,” said Mohan Sankar, president of RPA.
He also said that the alarm may be useful for pedestrians, but commuters may not even pay attention to the alarm. “Generally, the public try to cross the track at the earliest. But only when an accident occurs, do we realise that the alarm system is not useful. The railways have to seriously think of setting up gates and post guards at the earliest.”