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CHAPTER -XIV
LEVEL CROSSING
14.1 GENERAL
This chapter should be read in conjunction with chapter III and chapter. XVI of General Rules, 1990andchapter.VII of SEM, Part 1, 1988
14.1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF LEVEL CROSSINGS : The classification of road-rail surface level crossings shall be decided by the Engineering Department as per para 902 of Indian Railways Permanent Way Manual (IRPWM). Level crossings have been classified as under:
Special)
A Class) ...for roads
B Class)
C Class)
D Class - for cattle crossings
14.1.2 GATES : The closing arrangement for gates may be of swing/movable type or lifting barrier type of approved design.
Gates can be broadly divided into the following categories:
i) Non-interlocked gates and Interlocked gates
ii) Engineering gates and Traffic gates
14.1.2.1 NON-INTERLOCKED GATES : These gates may be in the form of lifting barriers or swing/ movable gates of approved design. These gates are installed and maintained by Engineering department.
14.1.2.2 INTERLOCKED GATES : At interlocked gates, interlocking and communication equipment are provided and maintained by S&T department
14.1.2.3 ENGINEERING GATES : Gates outside station limits are called Engineering gates and are manned and operated by Engineering staff. These gates may be non-interlocked or interlocked. with signals.
14.1.2.4 TRAFFIC GATES:- Gates within station limits are called Traffic Gates and are manned and operated by Traffic staff. These gates may be non- interlocked or interlocked with signals.
14.1.3 NORMAL POSITION OF GATES: Normal position of gates shall be as per para 904 and 907 of IRPWM.
14.1.4 EQUIPMENT AT LEVEL CROSSING : The Level crossings shall be provided with equipment as per para 910 of IRPWM. These equipments are provided and maintained by Engineering or Traffic department.
14.1.5 The Working instruction including the gate working diagram of level crossing equipped with gate signals and situated outside the station limits, shall be provided at the gate lodge. A copy of the working instruction shall also be kept at the controlling station. These instructions shall be provided in vernacular language.
14.1.6 The Working Instruction of level crossings within station limits shall be incorporated as an appendix to Station Working Rule/Instruction of the station and shall also kept at the gate lodge.
14.1.7 Safety measures for different classes of level crossings such as interlocking with signals, provision of telephone communication and approach warning arrangement shall be as per Annexure-10.
14.1.8 INTERLOCKING:
14.1.8.1 Interlocking shall be provided as per para 7.82 of SEM, Part I.
14.1.8.2 Where interlocked level crossings within station limits are operated from a place other than the place of operation of the signal protecting the gate, arrangements of interlocking should be such that the last operation before taking 'off the signal should be the closing of the gate and the first operation after the train has cleared the level crossing and the signal has been put back to 'ON' position should be the opening of the gate by the Gateman
14.1.8.3 Approach locking and back-locking shall be provided on the control lever of the interlocked level crossings situated on sections provided with automatic signalling. The approach locking shall be effective from the moment the train occupies the track circuit provided at braking distance in rear of the gate signal and the back-locking shall be effective until the train clears the level crossing.
14.1.9 COMMUNICATION : Telephone communication between the Gate-lodge and the Station Master's office shall be provided in accordance with para 2 of Annexure -10. Such telephone communication may be provided to the Switchman instead of Station Master's office to suit the local operating condition.
14.1.10 APPROACH WARNING : Audible warning by a bell/buzzer of approved type operated by the approach of a train shall be provided at interlocked gates in accordance with para 3 of Annexure-10
14.2 INSTALLATION
(A) INSTRUCTIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL LIFTING BARRIERS
14.2.1 At stations, it is desirable that level crossings should not be located fouling reception, stabling lines and signal overlaps.. As far as possible, level crossings should be provided at a place which gives an uninterrupted view not only to drivers of approaching trains but also to the road users.
14.2.2 Lifting barrier of approved design and drawing shall be installed.
14.2.3 Locking arrangement at the interlocked gate shall be as per approved plan and wiring diagram.
14.2.4 The minimum distance of gate post from the centre line of nearest track shall be as per para 904 -Annexure 9/1 of IRPWM.
14.2.5 Foundation for pedestal shall be of adequate strength.
14.2.6 Lifting barrier shall have two booms, one each on either side of the track.
14.2.7 The boom of the barrier shall extend across the full width of the road. It shall be installed perpendicular to the road.
14.2.8 The boom rest (stop post) shall be in alignment with the boom.
14.2.9 When the gate is closed to road traffic, clearance between the road surface level and the boom shall be 0.8 to 1 metre. The road surface level shall be maintained as per para 904 -Annexure 9/1 of IRPWM.
14.2.10 The open position of the lifting barrier shall be within 80 to 85 deg. from the horizontal and the closed position shall be within 0 to 10 deg. from the horizontal.
14.2.11 Lifting barrier shall be so installed that it shall be possible to stop or reverse its movement at any point during operation without damage.
14.2.12 At the centre of the boom, the lifting barrier shall be provided with a 600mm dia red disc having red reflector/luminous strip facing the road traffic.
14.2.13 The boom shall be either painted with 300-mm bands of alternate black and yellow colour or provided with approved type of retro-reflective strips. The fringes, if provided, shall also be painted.. Fluorescent or any other approved type of paint shall be used for yellow colour.
14.2.14 The fringe and flat bar where provided shall be straight.
14.2.15 Signals and Warning boards shall be provided as per section 'D' and section 'E' of Chapter VII of SEM, Pt I, respectively. Markers on signals in automatic signalling territory shall be provided as per para 7.168.
14.2.16 Gate signalling shall match sectional signalling.
14.2.17 In semaphore signalling territory, where distant/separate warner signal is worked with electric signal machine, indication locking shall be provided on gate signal lever.
14.2.18 Approved type of train detection device shall be provided for initiating approach warning. The device shall be so located as to provide the warning for at least 60 seconds. The warning shall continue till the train reaches the level crossing.
14.2.19 (Left blank intentionally)
14.2.20 A gate Working diagram shall be provided at the place of operation for all interlocked level crossing gates located outside the station limits.
14.2.21 In RE area, power supply for level crossing located outside station limits shall be made available from both UP and DN AT supply in accordance with para 20713.2 (iii) of ACTM' Vol. II (Part I).
14.2.22 For interlocking a level crossing in RE area, neutral section shall be relocated wherever minimum distance between gate signals and neutral section is not available as per para 16.4 and 16.5 of AC Traction Manual (Volume II, Part II)
14.2.23 In RE area, proper precautions as stipulated in SEM chapter XXII should be taken.
14.2.24 All relays, batteries, etc. for operation of gate and gate signals shall be kept in proper sealed and locked condition.
14.2.25 Telephone or any other approved communication equipment shall be fixed inside gate lodge on a wooden or on any other approved type shelf/box at 1200 mm to 1500 mm height from ground level. The wiring for communication equipment shall be provided through a PVC pipe/ boxing.
14.2.26 Rumble strip, speed breakers and warning signs to road user shall be provided by Engg. department as per extant instruction.
14.2.27 In case of wider roads provided with road divider, provision of two half barriers, each set operated diagonally by a separate winch may be considered.
(B) MECHANICAL LIFTING BARRIERS
14.2.28 A separate fracture segment shall connect the boom with the mechanism near the pivot. Fracture segment mounting shall be of such a design that it can be transported, replaced easily and quickly and in case of a mighty hit shall allow for the break of the segment without endangering the mechanism itself.
14.2.29 Winch for the operation of the lifting barrier shall be located at a place (including cabin) not exceeding 150 metres from the gate and having clear visibility of the road.
14.2.30 It shall be ensured that while closing the gate, warning bell rings and lamp bracket also gets turned to give required indication to road users.
14.2.31 It shall be ensured that the roller fitted to the rope drum enters the Trunnion bracket and activates the boom for closure/opening.
14.2.32 It shall be ensured that Boom locking is effective and it is not possible to lift the boom by more than 10 degree from closed position.
14.2.33 The wire rope shall not overlap at the winch and rope drums.
14.2.34 The guy rod shall be given sufficient tension for smooth operation of the boom.
14.2.35 Oil holes, grease nipples, etc. shall be provided with spring loaded covers.
14.2.36 It shall be possible to extract the key from the winch only when the gate is fully closed.
14.2.37 At swing/movable types of interlocked gates, interlocking shall be achieved through 'E' type locks.
(C) ELECTRIC LIFTING BARRIER
14.2.38 Where power supply is available, all new installations of interlocked level crossing gates of special class, A, B class & in suburban section should preferably be provided with electrically operated lifting barrier. 'Electric Lifting barrier shall be of an approved design.
14.2.39 The boom shall be either metallic or any other approved type. The metallic type boom shall be segmented for easy transport, installation and replacement.
14.2.40 Operation of the lifting barrier may be provided from a control panel or SM slide or by any other approved equipment.
14.2.41 At the centre of the boom, a red light shall be provided. This light shall show red light to road traffic when gate is closed.
14.2.42 Proper operation of lifting barrier by a hand crank shall be checked.
14.2.43 The boom must be so balanced that in case of failure of power supply, the barrier shall remain in the position last assumed.
14.2.44 In non-RE area, power supply equipment shall be installed. in a separate room or location box or in the gate lodge.
14.3 MAINTENANCE
14.3.1 MECHANICAL LIFTING BARRIERS :
14.3.1.1 All moving parts shall be properly lubricated.
14.3.1.2 Gears, rope drums and wire rope shall be doused with soft grease.
14.3.1.3 Cleaning of rodding and wire transmission should be done properly. Cleaning of all pipes and ducts to prevent obstruction by accumulation of dirt shall be ensured.
14.3.1.4 All bolts and nuts shall be tightened and split pins shall be split properly.
14.3.1.5 Worn out pins, if any, in the crank shall be replaced.
14.3.1.6 It shall be ensured that both the booms are parallel in open condition.
14.3.1.7 Proper adjustment of wire sag and tension shall be made.
14.3.1.8 Integrity of interlocking and boom locking shall be checked.
14.3.1.9 Rusty wires and rodding shall be replaced.
14.3.1.10 It shall be ensured that 'E' type lock which locks the winch should also lock winch handle in closed position of barrier.
14.3.1.11 All gate locking apparatus must be examined regularly and working parts kept oiled. Gate locks must be kept in good working order.
14.3.1.12 Proper working of audio/visual warning shall be ensured.
14.3.2 ELECTRIC LIFTING BARRIER:
14.3.2.1 Machines must be kept in good condition, free from rust, dust and dirt.
14.3.2.2 The bearing surface and moving parts of the electric lifting barrier shall be lubricated properly
14.3.2.3 Contacts must be kept clean and in proper adjustment. If contact surfaces are pitted, they must be replaced.
14.3.2.4 Commutator and Brushes.
a) Commutator must be clean, smooth and have a bright appearance.
b) Brushes must be kept clean and properly bedded on the commutator. Brushes should have proper pressure and should be free in brush holders.
14.3.2.5 Friction clutch must be so adjusted that the same should get de-clutched when the boom is raised or lowered fully and the power supply is not cut off.
14.3.2.6 The shock absorber at the boom rest (stop post) must be kept properly adjusted.
14.3.2.7 The time of operation of electric lifting barrier shall not exceed stipulated time. Measured value of current should not exceed rated values.
14.3.2.8 The satisfactory functioning of the lifting barrier by a hand crank shall be checked.
14.3.2.9 All gate locking apparatus must be examined regularly and working parts kept oiled. Gate locks must be kept in good working order.
14.3.2.10 Proper working of audio/visual warning shall be ensured.
14.3.3 Approach warning arrangement where provided, is working satisfactorily and effectiveness of Approach and Back locking provided shall be ensured.
14.3.4 Electrical Lever Locks, ESR, Signal machines, HKTs etc. shall be maintained in accordance with instructions laid down in Chapter XIX of this manual.
14.3.5 Maintenance of Levers, signals and overhauling of lever frames shall be as per instructions laid down in
chapter XII of this manual.
14.3.6 Track circuits/Axle counters, if provided, shall be maintained in accordance with instructions laid down in chapter XVII of this Manual.
14.3.7 The telephone communication facilities where provided between Level Crossing gates and the adjoining stations shall be checked in regard to their satisfactory functioning.
14.3.8 Heavy repairs, renewals or alterations to gate interlocking must not be carried out until Jr. Engineer/Section Engineer/Sr. Section Engineer (Signal) concerned has arranged for the protection of the road traffic by the concerned department and the work shall be carried out under proper disconnection.
14.3.9 Sectional Signal engineer shall maintain a register indicating details of each class of level crossing gate in regard to its location, number, type of gate provided, provision of communication, interlocking arrangement, provision of approach warning and flash lights etc., pertaining to his section. A statement in regard to the above should be submitted on first January and first July every year, to the Sr. Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer/Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer.
14.3.10 Maintenance Schedule as laid down in Annexure-11 shall be followed. This may be modified by CSTE of the Railway to suit local needs.
Annexure10
Annexure 11
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