Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Transport (MoT) willremove hundreds of below-standard level crossings countrywide to improve railtravel and reduce accidents.
The new regulation on level crossings and construction inrailway safety is being built up by the MoT.
For a long time, poor railroad intersections have threatenedserious accidents to both train and road users.
Nha Dau level crossing on Hanoi’s Le Duan street, forexample, has seen severe congestions every day on rush hours as it is about80cm higher than the road, obstructing the traffic influx.
Level crossings leading to headquarters of Vietnam NationalCoal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited and Vietnam CementIndustry Corporation suffer the same problem. Anytime a car drives throughthese level crossings, there will be several vehicles stuck in congestions,finding ways to get to Le Duan street.
And it is not just the level crossings with signs andautomatic warning systems that have caused problems. Many with barriers havenot met required standards.
The level crossing leading to the Agriculture and RuralDevelopment Bank in Phuong Liet ward on Giai Phóng street is trapped betweentwo busy roads.
Since it is narrow and steep, whenever a train isapproaching, watchmen always have to prevent drivers from attempting to hurtlecross barriers which may lead to tragic accidents.
Nguyen Dao Viet Phuong, head of Giap Bat Railway LevelCrossing Barrier Department, told Giao thong (Traffic) newspaper that theproblem is common at the intersections they manage.
Nguyen Van Vinh, deputy head of Railway InfrastructureManagement Board under Vietnam Railways (VNR), said there were more than 1,500level crossings in the country including about 650 of them equipped withbarriers, 380 with automatic warning systems and 485 with warning signs.However, up to 80 percent of existing level crossings do not meet standardsregulated by the MoT, mostly due to their vision limitation and steep slopes.
According to Vinh, the poor cooperation between localitiesand the railway sector in land planning and ensuring railway traffic safety, isthe main cause of the problem.
In recent years, VNR has implemented projects to upgradelevel crossings, especially at more than 900 traffic accident black spots alongthe country.
Khuong The Duy, deputy head of the Vietnam Railway Authority,said the regulation would touch on new standards to guarantee safe levelcrossings.
Speed humps will be compulsory at intersections without anywatchmen. Waiting lanes and automatic barriers will also be set up while roadslope will be reduced.
Responsibility of stakeholders in managing, constructing,maintaining and exploiting level crossings will also be clearly indicated.
“Local authorities will be in charge of coordinating relatedagencies in their railway traffic safety corridor to ensure clear vision forall vehicles passing though railroad crossings,” said Duy.-VNA
The new regulation on level crossings and construction inrailway safety is being built up by the MoT.
For a long time, poor railroad intersections have threatenedserious accidents to both train and road users.
Nha Dau level crossing on Hanoi’s Le Duan street, forexample, has seen severe congestions every day on rush hours as it is about80cm higher than the road, obstructing the traffic influx.
Level crossings leading to headquarters of Vietnam NationalCoal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited and Vietnam CementIndustry Corporation suffer the same problem. Anytime a car drives throughthese level crossings, there will be several vehicles stuck in congestions,finding ways to get to Le Duan street.
And it is not just the level crossings with signs andautomatic warning systems that have caused problems. Many with barriers havenot met required standards.
The level crossing leading to the Agriculture and RuralDevelopment Bank in Phuong Liet ward on Giai Phóng street is trapped betweentwo busy roads.
Since it is narrow and steep, whenever a train isapproaching, watchmen always have to prevent drivers from attempting to hurtlecross barriers which may lead to tragic accidents.
Nguyen Dao Viet Phuong, head of Giap Bat Railway LevelCrossing Barrier Department, told Giao thong (Traffic) newspaper that theproblem is common at the intersections they manage.
Nguyen Van Vinh, deputy head of Railway InfrastructureManagement Board under Vietnam Railways (VNR), said there were more than 1,500level crossings in the country including about 650 of them equipped withbarriers, 380 with automatic warning systems and 485 with warning signs.However, up to 80 percent of existing level crossings do not meet standardsregulated by the MoT, mostly due to their vision limitation and steep slopes.
According to Vinh, the poor cooperation between localitiesand the railway sector in land planning and ensuring railway traffic safety, isthe main cause of the problem.
In recent years, VNR has implemented projects to upgradelevel crossings, especially at more than 900 traffic accident black spots alongthe country.
Khuong The Duy, deputy head of the Vietnam Railway Authority,said the regulation would touch on new standards to guarantee safe levelcrossings.
Speed humps will be compulsory at intersections without anywatchmen. Waiting lanes and automatic barriers will also be set up while roadslope will be reduced.
Responsibility of stakeholders in managing, constructing,maintaining and exploiting level crossings will also be clearly indicated.
“Local authorities will be in charge of coordinating relatedagencies in their railway traffic safety corridor to ensure clear vision forall vehicles passing though railroad crossings,” said Duy.-VNA
VNA
