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PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 13:40 
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Rail.co here
Rail.co - A. Samue wrote:
Minister sees latest technology for combating level crossing misuse
By A. Samuel · November 28, 2011 · Level Crossings, Rail News

ACC Alan Pacey meets Theresa Villiers MP. Photo: British Transport Police.

The Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Theresa Villiers visited Mitcham Eastfields level crossing on Thursday, 24 November to view the Railway Safety Camera Partnership Vehicle, a police van fitted with advanced technology to deter motorists and pedestrians from breaking the law.

Motorists continuing to risk their lives at level crossings by ignoring warning signs remains a serious problem and the Minister was given a demonstration of the industry’s latest investment in the fight to keep crossings safe.

The purpose-built, marked British Transport Police (BTP) van is fitted with nine cameras, each of which uses number plate recognition technology.
The vehicle allows officers to target level crossings anywhere in the region and to respond swiftly when misuse is reported by rail staff or members of the public.
The van was stationed at the crossing, where high levels of misuse have been reported, and where BTP officers worked alongside colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service, the DVLA and First Capital Connect to educate drivers and pedestrians on the dangers of crossing misuse.
Funded by Network Rail, the vehicle allows officers to target level crossings anywhere in the region and react to a location where misuse is reported by rail staff or members of the public.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pacey said;
“The education and enforcement initiative has been put in place to give officers an opportunity to drive home the message that running the risk at a level crossing is just not worth it. By trying to save a few seconds, you could end up seriously hurt or losing your life.
“The level crossing enforcement van is a useful tool in helping to reduce level crossing misuse across the country. In comparison to most other countries we have a good safety record, but misuse of crossing persists, despite our best efforts, and even one death is one too many.
“Incredibly some people are still putting their lives on the line by ignoring warning lights and sirens and trying to dash through crossings when trains are approaching. This is hugely irresponsible and dangerous and we will not hesitate to take action against anyone caught doing so.”

Martin Gallagher, Head of Level Crossings for Network Rail, said:
“Level crossing misuse remains a problem across the country, putting lives at risk, costing millions of pounds and causing delays for thousands of passengers and road users.
“Mitcham Eastfields is one of the crossings where we continue to see bad motorist behaviour and somewhere we remain focused on educating drivers about the risks of misuse and where necessary using camera technology to prosecute in order to change these dangerous habits and make the railway and roads safer.”

Speaking from the crossing, Transport Minister Theresa Villiers said:
“Accidents at level crossings can have tragic and life-changing consequences, so the rail industry’s efforts to tackle the key causes of this issue are welcome.
“The work the British Transport Police and Network Rail are doing to educate the public about the dangers of them misusing level crossings is vital if we are to reduce the risk of fatal incidents.”

ACC Pacey continued;
“We will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police and Network Rail to improve knowledge and, where necessary, to take action against those who continue to misuse crossings.
“Those who flout the law and ignore the crossing signs can expect action to be taken against them, which could be in the form of a fine or points on their driving license and end up in court.”

They have also placed camera vans in Surrey, Hampshire & Sussex... article here Why are they not using the standard auto cameras ? ... and another article here for East Anglia.
If people cannot take responsibility for themselves perhaps they need to approach this from a psychological perspective than enforcement.
I can understand that British Rail may make a request to the Police for their help, but to 'run' a camera van must fall way, way outside their authority, perhaps it is badly worded ?

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 14:29 
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I thought this was a parody at first but it appears serious.

It's unclear how the ANPR systems:

Quote:
... educate drivers and pedestrians on the dangers of crossing misuse.


Did they stop errant drivers a bit down the road and show them the error of their ways? Is this why they need the police to help them?

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 20:06 
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1) I always thought that BTP had the same powers as Police on Railway property ,an off ,when crime related to an offense against rail property /users
2) Are these crossing half barrier types ,and if so -why not convert them to full barrier types .If not - why not in the interests of safety consider the actions taken on the West Coast mail line ,when the speed was lifted to 125 .Convert the crossings to tunnels,or provide an alternative .oH =that would mean NR debts getting bigger .

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 06:36 
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From the images in the articles (if correct) it looks like they are placing the camera van in line with the road and the crossing and so videoing the whole area for all errors of behaviour. People need to be responsible for their own safety and for those around them. How people can be so very stupid baffles me.
Recently Network Rail has been sued when 2 teenage girls were killed in Essex, at a small gate level crossing, to reach the platform, but in spite of warnings still flashing they walked into the path of a train. Now how they missed the noise of a fast travelling train, and also both failed to manage the risk by taking good observational care, I find most troubling.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 02:28 
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Quote:
latest technology for combating level crossing misuse


Is it called a bridge?


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 22:45 
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Homer wrote:
Quote:
latest technology for combating level crossing misuse


Is it called a bridge?

Or a tunnel ,if line speeds ( and funds are available) ,or HSE/DVLA prescribe that this is required .

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 01:19 
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On one media interview that was a discussion that locals had been asking for more to be done and a bridge etc to be constructed but the article claimed that no money was available for it. ow if that is the case then making absolutely sure that all current systems would run properly and clear instructions to the public or only with accompanied support from Railway staff. Perhaps they should seek sponsorship from a large construction Company who ends up getting a free ad for as long as it exists ?

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 21:23 
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SafeSpeedv2 wrote:
no money was available for it.


What happened to the "if it saves one life" argument?


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 22:15 
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Homer wrote:
SafeSpeedv2 wrote:
no money was available for it.


What happened to the "if it saves one life" argument?


Somehow or other few years ago money was available -
I remember working on projects around Coventry , and other stations toward Birmingham that had level crossings ,where the crossings were replaced by tunnels/bridges an re routes ,simply because the line speed had been increased to 125 mph and whoever decided that it was not safe to have level crossings . But now - seems that financial constraint over rule all other considerations.

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