Indian Railways has developed a vandal-proof warning system for unmanned level crossings. The system is currently working satisfactorily on Coimbatore-Metupallayam section for the last three months.
The specifications of the system have been finalised by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the research wing of Indian Railways.
The system has been developed with a Mumbai-based vendor and RDSO will call for an expression of interest from other vendors for the production of more such systems.
About the warning system
- The system is equipped with two blinkers and one siren to alert people when a train is within one km radius of the level crossing.
- Fitted with solar panel, it has a theft protection system.
- In case of vandalisation of the system at the level crossing by unscrupulous elements or for any other reason, SMS alert will be sent to pre-programmed mobile numbers by the system.
- Besides, there is a provision in the system for sending SMS alerts about trains crossing to pre-programmed mobile numbers.
- The system consists of two sensor modules and a control module in which train movements are detected and siren and blinker alerts are produced when the train is within one km of the level crossing.
- Sensor modules are located within one km of level crossing to detect train movement on track.
Expansion plan
With time, the warning system will be installed in all zonal railways in their respective areas as a step towards prevention of accidents.
Significance of the Warning System
At present, there are 30348 level crossings across the country out of which around 11563 are unmanned.
Mishaps at level crossings account for about 40 percent of train accidents and about 60 percent of fatalities due to the failure of the railways to man these crossings or build road overbridges or underpass.
