The Best Attractions In Manfalut

U Egiptu poginulo 50 dece

U sudaru voza i autobusa koji je prelazio preko šina u oblasti Manfalut, oko 300 kilometara južno od Kaira, poginulo je najmanje 50 dece, saopštili su zvaničnici.

Tarbahar Railway Crossing BSP CG.

A level crossing (a primarily British term; usually known as a railroad crossing in the United States) is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road or path at the same level, as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under using a bridge or tunnel. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion. Other names include railway crossing, grade crossing, road through railroad, railroad crossing and train crossing.

Overview[edit]
Early level crossings had a flagman in a nearby booth who would, on the approach of a train, wave a red flag or lantern to stop all traffic and clear the tracks. Manual or electrical closable gates that barricaded the roadway were later introduced. The gates were intended to be a complete barrier against intrusion of any road traffic onto the railway. In the early days of the railways much road traffic was horsedrawn or included livestock. It was thus necessary to provide a real barrier. Thus, crossing gates, when closed to road traffic, crossed the entire width of the road. When opened to allow road users to cross the line, the gates were swung across the width of the railway, preventing any pedestrians or animals getting onto the line. The first U.S. patent for such crossing gates was awarded on 27 August 1867, to J. Nason and J. F. Wilson, both of Boston.[1] With the appearance of motor vehicles, this barrier became less effective and the need for a barrier to livestock diminished dramatically. Many countries therefore replaced the gated crossings with weaker but more highly visible barriers and relied upon road users following the associated warning signals to stop.

At railway stations, a pedestrian level crossing is sometimes provided to allow passengers to reach other platforms in the absence of an underpass or bridge. Where third rail systems have level crossings, there is a gap in the third rail over the level crossing, but the power supply is not interrupted since trains have current collectors on multiple cars.

Safety[edit]


Level crossing with egg-shaped radar sensor system for automatic level crossing free detection.
Level crossings constitute a significant safety concern internationally. On average, each year 400 people are killed in the European Union[2] and over 300 in the United States[3] in level crossing accidents. Collisions can occur with vehicles as well as pedestrians; pedestrian collisions are more likely to result in a fatality.[4] Among pedestrians, young people (5--19 years), older people (60 years and over) and males are considered to be high risk users.[5]

In terms of warning systems, level crossings are either passive crossings which have warnings such as signs, or active crossings which have automatic warning devices such as boom gates, flashing lights and warning tones.[2] Fewer collisions take place at level crossings with active warning systems.[6] Today radar sensor systems for automatic level crossing free detection are a cheap way to improve safety of level crossings.[7]

Major accidents[edit]


Amtrak train wreck in Bourbonnais, Illinois (USA) in 1999 was attributed to a truck driver's failure to obey grade crossing signals. The driver was subsequently incarcerated.
Main article: List of level crossing accidents
Level crossings present a significant risk of collisions between trains and road vehicles. This list is not a definitive list of the world's worst accidents and the events listed are limited to those where a separate article describes the event in question.

Accident Deaths Country Year
Langenweddingen level crossing disaster 94 Germany 1967 [citation needed]
Manfalut train accident 51 Egypt 2012 [8]
Nagpur level crossing disaster 55 India 2005 [citation needed]
Marhanets train and bus collision 45 Ukraine 2010 [9]
Villa Soldati level crossing tragedy 42 Argentina 1962 See article
Polgahawela level crossing accident 35 Sri Lanka 2005 [citation needed]