INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE „LET‘S SAVE LIVES“ Tallinn, Estonia, March 15 th, 2011 Martina Pavlíková ŽSR – The Railways of the Slovak Republic

Level Crossings (LX´s): Slovak Republic and Europe  Comparison of selected LX´s statistical indicators from several European countries (ERA database correspondents) including Slovakia  LX´s accident rate analysis for  What needs to be done to increase safety?  Road traffic and LX´s accidents for 2008 and 2009 in Slovakia  Significant LX´s accidents in Slovakia International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 2

Level Crossings Definition  Level crossing as a direct at-grade intersection of two different transport axes - the road and the rail - are almost always the sensitive points in traffic, because they limit the traffic fluency.  The public discussion about LX´s justification, proper safety system, operation mode etc. is provoked mainly by the local accidents incurred. The more serious the consequences, the more intensive and longer-lasting public discussion appears with follow up identification of potentially responsibility.  Is Slovakia equal in the number of LX´s in comparison to other European countries as regards the number of LX´s, their active appliances and equipment, safety and their operation etc.? International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 3

As regards the number of active LX´s, Slovakia is reaching the middle ground now. Nowadays, every other LX in the country is active. It is almost impossible to achieve the standard of Belgium or Norway in this respect - but in other countries too besides Slovakia. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 4

With the number of approximately 1 LX per 2 kilometre of track, Slovakia belongs among the countries with the middle LX´s density. Since 2000, the number of LX´s has been reduced by 266, from 2,486 to 2,220 currently. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 5

When we compare the number of LX´s and the number of accidents we have to admit that the number of people killed at LX´s is very high in Slovakia. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 6

Slovakia has a high position in this index/figure too. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 7

As of December 31, 2009, there were 2220 level crossings registered at the territory of Slovakia, from which 1144 were passive, 1056 active and barriers for 20 were permanently locked and serviced on request only. Numbers of active LX´s: with manual user-side protection 80 with automatic user-side protection 514 with automatic user-side warning 462 International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 8

Analysis of occurrencies of LX´s accidents over the last 10 years ( )  Almost 100 % of the accidents took place at an active LX´s though its active appliances and equipment has functioning properly,  Looking at LX´s accidents in general, we can state, that 99% of them were caused by car-to-train collision or train-to-car collision after the car entered the LX immediately before the oncoming train,  Since 2008, according to EU legislation (Regulation No. 91/2003 of the EU Parliament and the Council), we have to record train collisions with other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, non-motor vehicles etc.),  There isn't any LX registered where accidents regularly occur in Slovakia; they are spread over the whole country,  Almost 100 % of the accidents were caused by a human factor,  On account of ŽSR or operators, within the period of monitoring, only 4 accidents have been registered,  Regardless of consequences or amount of damage, all LXs accidents were added into analysis. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 9

What needs to be done to increase operational safety at LX´s? Would barriers guarantee safety on LX´s? Is equipping LX´s with active crossing installation with gates the only proper way, as it is always interpreted in the Media, after every serious LX accident? After analysing the LX´s accidents with regard to the type of LX, we can say that securing and equipping LX´s with active appliances is not a guarantee of the safety. Also the human factor has an essential and crucial influence on safety: carlessnes and non-adjustment to local conditions for use of LX´s. To increase LX operational safety it is necessary to focus on the most important factor which directly affects safety, that is the human factor, in a way that will be: preventive, educational and also enforcing. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 10

How does ŽSR contribute to this?  Preventive measures ŽSR in cooperation with Czech Railways (ČD) prepared a demonstrative CD with appropriate an inappropriate behaviour at LX´s CD copies were distributed to all driving schools in Slovakia. The film was shown on big screens at 23 railway stations. The name of this CD is „The driver – the threat“ to LX´s  Enforcing measures and educating LX´s users Up to now, there haven't been legal conditions performing operations like these by ŽSR in Slovakia.  The equipping of LX´s with active appliances is comparable with other countries. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 11

What is the ratio of LX´s accidents in relation to the total number of road traffic accidents in Slovakia?  In 2008, this ratio amounted to 0.12%, while the ratio of people killed was 3.05%,  In 2009, the ratio amounted to 0.2%, while the ratio of people killed was 7.5%,  The most frequent cause of road traffic accidents as well as LX´s accidents is one and the same, every time: VIOLATION OF THE DRIVER ‘ S DUTIES AND INAPPROPRIATE SPEED OF VEHICLE International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 12

Polomka  Type of LX: Passive  Date & Time: February 21, 2009, 09:05 AM  Consequential impact: 12 people killed 6 people seriously injured € - cost of damages International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 13

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Polomka today  Type of LX: Active with automatic user- side warning  Road sign: Ban on vehicles with length of more than 12 meters  The costs for the new equipment of the LX were Euros. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 20

Dolná Štubňa  Type of LX: Active with automatic user-side warning  Date & Time: September 20, 2009, 04:35 PM  Consequential impact: 3 people killed € - cost of damages International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 21

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Information sources European Railway Agency ( ŽSR owned investigatory materials and other templates Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic ( Internet The methodology of data evaluation in accordance with REGULATION (EC) No 91/2003 OF THE EU PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2002 on rail transport statistics and with Railway Safety Directive 2004/49/EC. International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 26

Thank you for your attention The Author: Ján Nastišin Presented by: Martina Pavliková © ŽSR – Železnice Slovenskej republiky Department of Safety and Inspection International Educational Conference "Let´s save lives", Tallinn 27