ALARM SIGNALS AT CROSSINGS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26159, 8 July 1950, Page 6

ALARM SIGNALS AT CROSSINGS

REDUCTION OF TIME SUGGESTED

Although for many years automatic alarms at railway crossings have allowed a warning period of not less than 20 seconds at the approach of a train, it has been suggested that the minimum period should now be reduced to 10 seconds, according to a letter from the chief signal officer and electrical-engineer of the Railway Department (Mr C. R. Lovatt) received by the executive of the South Island Motor -Union last evening. Mr Lovatt said that if agreement was reached on the change it might be tested during the installation of new equipment. He added that its .adoption might be of considerable benefit where crossings were located close to railway yards. “At road intersections where traffic signals are in use three seconds amber warning indication is given when a change from green to red is made, and although the speed limit for motorvehicles in these areas is 30 miles an hour, it meets the position,” said Mr Lovatt. The executive decided to instruct its liaison officer (Mr Rocke O’Shea) to seek further information on the suggested change from the Railways Department, as members did not feel qualified at present to give an opinion on it. New Notice Favoured As a safety measure at railway crossings where crossing-keepers are not always in attendance, the executive favoured the erection of a permanent sign, “Crossing-keeper not always on Duty,” which would be visible at night. According to a letter from the general manager of the Railway Department (Mr F. W. Aickin) he is prepared to consider the provision of a notice so worded. Mr Aickin said that there were difficulties in the way of providing signs that would indicate when keepers were not o.n duty. The executive emphasised that these signs would be a temporary expedient, pending the installation of automatic signalling devices.