LEVEL CROSSINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 12

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Sir,—As pointed out on mrmy-occasions in the Herald the menaca of railway crossings is one which requires the serious consideration of the railway _ authorities. It is unreasonable to place the whole of the responsibility upon the motoring public. It may interest your correspondent, Mr. G. Ellis, to know that a device such as he mention- is Urn subject of a recent New Ztalac . patent, While in Wellington some thr®B months ago I saw demonstrated in the House of Representatives a model of the device. Practically the whole of the members of Parliament and the heads of the various departments had the opportunity to examine the working of ifc and one and all spoke very highly of its satisfactory performance. I'he device consisted of'an electric-ally-controlled vertical gate, brought into action by the approaching train. The train short circuits a relay and brings into operation, first, an audible warning device ami danger lights at road level, and then at any set time afterwards operates the gate against the travelling pubisc. This gate remains closed till all possible danger is past and then automatically opens for traffic. It is impossible ior stich a position to arise as mentioned by your correspondent "A.T.," as any following train or a train cominp; in the opposite direction will prevent the opening of the 'gate till all are clear. The device can bo erected very cheaply, being composed largely of railway material discarded by the" department. * I understand the device was turned down, not because of any fault to bo found' in it,, but because it is against the policy of the department te> erect gnt.es at level crossings, the ones of responsibility, in their opinion, being on the public. Whether, the public will accept this view remains to be seen, but I am certain that if the devico described was given a fair trial the menace of the present crossings would soon be a thing of the past. For the information of "A.T." I may state the same electric control will operate a boom, such as ho mentions. Paeroa.