Level crossing signals in the UK?

[Gholm]

A question from a non-Brit:
Are there signals or other indicators of some type to inform the driver of a train about the state of an upcoming level crossing?
I don't recall having ever stumbled across such a signal, in the UK at least. Maybe my memory is just bad or maybe you don't have them. In Denmark, where I live, we have two different signals for the purpose.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

As a general answer: not usually.

The signaller will get an indication of the crossing in the signal box and the driver knows from route knowledge and will expect that if the signal in advance of the crossing is showing a proceed aspect, that the crossing will be clear. He wouldn't have level crossing CCTV in the cab

In addition, there are many automatic and user-worked crossings independent of signals; i.e. the signalling is not linked to them

 

[Gloster]

However, on a number of minor lines, somewhat of the level of the privatbaner on Jylland, there are indicators so that the driver can see that the crossing lights are flashing to road traffic. These are slow lines with minimal signalling, not CTC, and the crossings are mostly those with only lights to stop road traffic.

 

[John Webb]

See https://www.railsigns.uk/sect16page1.html for very detailed descriptions of both historic and current signals seen by train drivers when approaching level crossings.

 

[Gholm]

See https://www.railsigns.uk/sect16page1.html for very detailed descriptions of both historic and current signals seen by train drivers when approaching level crossings.

Thank you, that's very helpful! There does seem to be two signals used on some crossing types. Interesting how it isn't universal. We have them on all (I believe) our crossings that are fitted with any kind of warning system, that is lights, sound and often barriers. Why not have them? They're a great safety feature.

 

[Gholm]

As a general answer: not usually.

The signaller will get an indication of the crossing in the signal box and the driver knows from route knowledge and will expect that if the signal in advance of the crossing is showing a proceed aspect, that the crossing will be clear. He wouldn't have level crossing CCTV in the cab

In addition, there are many automatic and user-worked crossings independent of signals; i.e. the signalling is not linked to them

That's very interesting! We always (I believe) have at least one of our kind of signals. They aren't red/yellow/green signals that can show clear or danger, they're just purely for showing if the level crossing is secured or not. We also have ordinary signals that are dependent on a level crossing being secured, but they are still fitted one of these level crossing signals regardless, in most cases at least. They're great for safety.

 

[Lucy1501]

It depends on the type of crossing, the three main types that provide an indication to drivers are:

• Automatic Crossings (AOCL/AOCL+B) - These lower based on track circuits and are monitored by the driver. They will get an advanced warning board which is a sign, and there is a signal by the crossing. If the signal is flashing red, the driver must stop the train and investigate, if it is flashing white the driver may cross if it is clear of obstructions. There are also advanced warning boards for wrong direction moves allowing drivers to regulate their speed so the crossing is lowered when they get to it (generally track circuits are shorter in the wrong direction, so need slower speeds on approach).
• Automatic Half Barrier Crossings (AHB) - Lower based on track circuits, but monitored by the signaller. Signs are only provided for wrong direction running to allow the driver to regulate their speed so that the crossing is lowered by the time they get to it.
• Manually Controlled Crossings (MCG/MCB) - Fully controlled by the signaller who either manually moves the gates across the road or uses lifting barriers and clears the crossing by CCTV, direct observation or obstacle detectors. This will allow a normal signal to be cleared.

Drivers are to required to use their route knowledge to know the locations of all level crossings along the line that they sign.

 

[Railsigns]

The attached photo shows the form of indicator provided at certain types of level crossings in the UK. The formal name for this is a "driver's crossing indicator" (DCI). It shows a flashing white light when the crossing is closed to road traffic and operating correctly; otherwise, it shows a flashing red light.

 

[plugwash]

IIRC there are also crossings on minor lines that are operated by the train driver pushing a button and then waiting for a white light. I think that is how the crossing at the south end of Paignton (used for empty coaching stock moves and for the steam railway) works.

 

[Gholm]

The attached photo shows the form of indicator provided at certain types of level crossings in the UK. The formal name for this is a "driver's crossing indicator" (DCI). It shows a flashing white light when the crossing is closed to road traffic and operating correctly; otherwise, it shows a flashing red light.

It seems to be located very close to the level crossing. Are they only used in areas with low speeds or can they be placed further away?

 

[Railsigns]

It seems to be located very close to the level crossing. Are they only used in areas with low speeds or can they be placed further away?

They're always placed close to the crossing (about 5 metres from crossing edge) and are preceded by an advance warning board at braking distance. You would not find this type of level crossing on a fast main line railway.

 

[Gholm]

It depends on the type of crossing, the three main types that provide an indication to drivers are:

• Automatic Crossings (AOCL/AOCL+B) - These lower based on track circuits and are monitored by the driver. They will get an advanced warning board which is a sign, and there is a signal by the crossing. If the signal is flashing red, the driver must stop the train and investigate, if it is flashing white the driver may cross if it is clear of obstructions. There are also advanced warning boards for wrong direction moves allowing drivers to regulate their speed so the crossing is lowered when they get to it (generally track circuits are shorter in the wrong direction, so need slower speeds on approach).
• Automatic Half Barrier Crossings (AHB) - Lower based on track circuits, but monitored by the signaller. Signs are only provided for wrong direction running to allow the driver to regulate their speed so that the crossing is lowered by the time they get to it.
• Manually Controlled Crossings (MCG/MCB) - Fully controlled by the signaller who either manually moves the gates across the road or uses lifting barriers and clears the crossing by CCTV, direct observation or obstacle detectors. This will allow a normal signal to be cleared.

Drivers are to required to use their route knowledge to know the locations of all level crossings along the line that they sign.

Interesting how you have so many different types. Over here we only have track circuits or sensors that active the crossings. There's no such thing as a signaller operated crossing. In fact, we don't have any kind of CCTV or human monitoring on our level crossings, with a few exceptions.

They're always placed close to the crossing (about 5 metres from crossing edge) and are preceded by an advance warning board at braking distance.

I assume you have to be able to see them at a distance? A board at braking distance isn't much use if you can't see the signal yet.

 

[Railsigns]

I assume you have to be able to see them at a distance? A board at braking distance isn't much use if you can't see the signal yet.

At the types of level crossings that have these indicators, the speed of trains is limited to no more than 55 mph (90 kmh). The actual speed is determined by the train driver's visibility of the crossing (and hence the DCI) on approach to it. A special speed restriction board is installed at the point where the crossing becomes clearly visible to train drivers.

The driver starts braking at the advance warning board, and upon reaching the special speed restriction board visually checks that the crossing is unobstructed. If the crossing is clear and the DCI displays flashing white, the train may proceed to the crossing at the permitted speed; otherwise, the driver continues to brake and stops the train before the crossing.

Obviously, this is not a suitable arrangement for use at a level crossing on a fast main line.

The following pages describe and illustrate the different types of level crossings in Great Britain:

https://www.railsigns.uk/info/xings1.html
https://www.railsigns.uk/info/xings2.html

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Interesting how you have so many different types. Over here we only have track circuits or sensors that active the crossings. There's no such thing as a signaller operated crossing. In fact, we don't have any kind of CCTV or human monitoring on our level crossings, with a few exceptions.


I assume you have to be able to see them at a distance? A board at braking distance isn't much use if you can't see the signal yet.

The example posted in #7 above is on a single line where the speed is low. I'm not sure of this particular location but remember a similar one at Watford North station

 

[Flange Squeal]

IIRC there are also crossings on minor lines that are operated by the train driver pushing a button and then waiting for a white light. I think that is how the crossing at the south end of Paignton (used for empty coaching stock moves and for the steam railway) works.

Barmouth is/was another example of this. Trains in one direction having a plunger on the platform, with trains in the other direction having a plunger on a post at cab window level that the driver has to stop at and press. If you search 'Barmouth South Level Crossing' on YouTube then you'll find some videos of this process taking place, however they have seemingly been generally uploaded as they've caught misuse and contain a bit of swearing, so a bit reluctant to link to them in this post.

 

[D6130]

I'm not sure of this particular location

Ardrossan Town.

 

[Annetts key]

A question from a non-Brit:
Are there signals or other indicators of some type to inform the driver of a train about the state of an upcoming level crossing?
I don't recall having ever stumbled across such a signal, in the UK at least. Maybe my memory is just bad or maybe you don't have them. In Denmark, where I live, we have two different signals for the purpose.

Just to be clear, we have the following types of level crossings:

• Automatic Half Barrier Crossing (AHBC)
• Automatic Barrier Crossing Locally Monitored (ABCL)
• Automatic Full Barrier Crossing Locally Monitored (AFBCL)
• Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored (AOCL)
• Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored plus Barriers (AOCL+B)
• Automatic Open Crossing Remotely Monitored (AOCR)
• Miniature Stop Light Crossing (MSL)
• Manually Controlled Barriers (MCB) including MCB controlled remotely and monitored by CCTV (MCB-CCTV)
• Traincrew Operated Barriers (TOB)
• Manned Gates (MG)
• On Call Barriers (OCB)
• EBI Gate 200 Level Crossing System (a type of MSL crossing)
• VAMOS Level Crossing System (a type of MSL crossing)
• Flex Level Crossing system
• User Worked Crossing (UWC)
• Open Crossing (OC)

Manually (MCB) or remotely (MCB-CCTV) controlled crossings are interlocked with protecting
signals that can only be cleared when the crossing barriers are proved down and the signaller has operated a control to confirm that the crossing is clear. These protecting signals are the normal signals used for controlling trains and no separate crossing signals are provided.

Gated crossings (MG) can be mechanically or electrically interlocked with protecting signals and are similar to the above crossings. Although the amount of interlocking varies depending on the age of the design.

Automatic half barrier crossings are not normally protected by signals but in some cases may have signal controls. In most cases the signals on the approach to an automatic crossing will be showing a proceed aspect with the barriers still raised.

Automatic barrier or open crossings that are locally monitored do not have indications going to a monitoring signal box. A DWL signal gives indication to the driver that the crossing is operating and that they may proceed if the crossing is clear. These are the only crossings where there is a special crossing signal (DWL) provided for use by the train driver (traincrew).

Traincrew Operated Barriers (TOB) are crossings where all trains must stop. The train driver (traincrew) must operate the crossing controls to start the crossing sequence. They then get a flashing proceed light from a special signal. After the train passes the crossing, the barriers will automatically raise and the red road lights will extinguish. At a suitable distance away from the crossing, some have special BU signals, BU standing for Barriers Up.

Crossing on footpaths or occupation (private access) roads are usually gated or open and have protection dependant on the usage and the sighting of trains (signs, telephones, MSL).

 

[Ian79]

For completeness, there are also now quite a number of MCB-OD level crossings in the UK now as well. These are interlocked with the signalling in a similar way to the other MCB types of crossing, but automatic equipment (Radar and Lidar sensors) confirm that the level crossing is clear of obstructions instead of the signaller having to perform that task.

 

[Snow1964]

Topical, but not the exact question asked.
DfT have updated the signage for level crossings

1. 20 October 2023
   Added consultation outcome including government response and examples of improved signage.

Improving signage at private level crossings: revised sign designs

Proposes a revised suite of signs for private level crossings on the railway to improve safety.

www.gov.uk