There are over 6000 unprotected level crossings Down Under

An Australian researcher from Monash University in Melbourne has called for putting up solar powered warning systems across 6000 of the countrys unprotected level crossings, which do not have any such mechanism to warn traffic of an approaching train.

Sydney, June 7 : An Australian researcher from Monash University in Melbourne has called for putting up solar powered warning systems across 6000 of the country's unprotected level crossings, which do not have any such mechanism to warn traffic of an approaching train.

According to Dr. Eric Wigglesworth, solar powered lights and bells would be cheaper than the current mains powered ones, which would consequently mean that more level crossings could be protected, and fewer people would die from accidents.

"The harnessing of today's technology to this 20th century problem is overdue," said Dr. Wigglesworth.

Presently, it costs around 300,000-400,000 Australian dollars to install flashing lights and bells, which are activated when a train is coming.

The current warning systems are hardwired to mains power and there's a battery back-up as well.

Dr. Wigglesworth said he has evidence that solar powered systems are just as reliable as the mains powered ones, while costing only a fraction, about 40,000-50,000 Australian dollars per crossing.

"This would mean more crossings could be made safe with the same money. That would be a big plus," he said.

Dr. Wigglesworth has now called for exploring options of using update technology at level crossings, including installing solar powered systems, in a formal inquiry.

He said successful trials of solar powered systems some years ago in Victoria support their reliability.

"They worked 100 percent of the time, even in a particularly cloudy location," he said, adding, in urban areas, boom gates are needed for safe level crossings because there is too much competition from other stimuli for flashing lights to be effective.

He further said solar power could also be used to power boom gates.

"Level crossings were designed before the advent of high-speed transport. But trains and trucks, frequently going more than 100 kilometres per hour, have increased the threat of collisions. The time available to warn the road vehicle driver gets shorter and shorter as speeds get faster and faster," Dr. Wigglesworth said.

"We gave never really caught up with this threat," he said.

ANI