Level Crossing

Question 1

Define a road crossing with active control

Answer 1

• Boom Gates
• Flashing lights
• Bells

Question 2

Name the type of level crossings

Answer 2

Boom gate level crossings
Pedestrian and bicycle level crossings with active control
Pedestrian and bicycle crossings with passive control
Tramway level crossings
Private give way to trains crossings often found on farmland

Question 3

How do level crossings work?

Answer 3

Track circuit operates gate closing sequence

Gates close to traffic

Question 4

If the level crossing doesn’t operate properly what should the driver do?

Answer 4

• Stop the train prior to the crossing if possible, apply emergency brake if necessary
• Sound emergency whistle
• Report to train control that crossing has failed

Question 5

What do you do if the train stops before a failed to activate level crossing?

Answer 5

• Proceed as far as the level crossing and stop
• Ensure saloon lights are on
• Sound a long blast on the train whistle
• Observe the Road traffic and pedestrian movements have cleared the crossing
• Ensure the crossing is protected by booms or emergency services
• Proceed when safe sounding continuous whistle until lead cab is over crossing
• Once clear return to normal speed

Question 6

How close does a train need to get to trigger the boom and lights?

Answer 6

3 meters

Question 7

Name the 3 types of whistle boards

Answer 7

• Normal
• Healthy state indicator type
• Predictor Board Type

Question 8

How far away are normal whistle boards from a level crossing?

Answer 8

400 meters

Question 9

Define an emergency whistle

Answer 9

A series of short urgent blasts with train whistle

Question 10

Define an emergency action at a level crossing?

Answer 10

• Apply emergency brake
• Sound continuous whistle
• Report incident immediately to train control

Question 11

What is single line working?

Answer 11

When traffic on a single line on double track is being worked on, trains may travel down the other line which won’t trigger the booms

Question 12

On single line working, how close would a train need to get to the booms to trigger the level crossing?

Answer 12

3 meters

Question 13

How fast can a driver go over a level crossing on a single line working with a hand signaller present?

Answer 13

15km/h

Question 14

What is a 5P key switch?

Answer 14

A switch at stations that can be put into reverse and activate the booms via key and change the signal to proceed

Question 15

What is a trackside structure clearance marker?

Answer 15

A black and white marker on infrastructure that indica lets any object or person protruding from the train is at high risk of coming into contact with the infrastructure

Question 16

How long could a level crossing take to be deactivated due to the 5p switch?

Answer 16

3 minutes

Question 17

What’s the definition of a long whistle

Answer 17

The sound of the whistle should be distinct, and used in proportion to the distance at which the whistle is required to be heard

Question 18

Define emergency action at a level crossing?

Answer 18

Apply emergency break
Sound a continuous whistle
Report the incident to train control immediately

Question 19

What does the normal position on a level crossing 5p switch do?

Answer 19

Raises the boom gates and puts the signals at stop