Level Crossing, The Technology Behind The Tracks.

Uma fotografia de cruzamento mostrando passagem de nível impedindo que um carro ultrapasse a ferrovia e se choque com o ttrem

A railway train easily carries thousands of tons of metal, only one car can carry 120 tons and it is very common with positions of 100, 200, 300 freight cars. This type of composition takes, with emergency braking, almost 2 kilometers to brake at an average speed of 50 kilometers per hour. So, it is critical that in your movement, nothing can be ahead. Any object in front of such a composition will be destroyed, nothing survives.

So, that's why trains run freely through all countries, and the idea is that these railways have bridges or passages underneath so that the train never has to stop before its destination. However, there are critical situations where there is a road crossing with a railroad and it was not possible to make this crossing through a bridge or a tunnel. In this case, there is what we call a level crossing or level crossing. In the past, these systems worked with a railway guard who watched the train approach. At the right moment, the whistle sounded and manually lowered the vehicle gate using a crank, pressed a button and light signals began to flash for the cars that were supposed to stop and wait for the train to pass.

This went on for decades and decades. However, about 50 years ago, the automatic systems of gates or level crossings were introduced, which are basically the ones that are used today. These are fail-safe systems, where any electrical problem or cable breakage or excessive rain, any problem at all, the barrier for vehicles is in the lowered position avoiding accident. Whenever there is a problem, he gets into a safe position. They are fail safe systems.

There are three types of automatic level crossing technology:

First level crossing option:

The first, the most traditional, is with track circuit, where the rails are used as a kind of electrical circuit and the voltage in these sections is measured and when any heavy rolling stock enters that section, an identification is made and this section of track next to the level crossing, the process of warning cars that a train is approaching begins and the entire process of closing the barrier begins, luminous signals and bells . Then, when the train passes through this circuit and enters the next track circuit, after the level crossing, the barrier is opened again. The other technology uses what we call axis sensors. An axle sensor (fail safe) identifies the axle of the locomotive on approach to the level crossing.

Second level crossing option:

It is strategically placed at a safe distance, based on the maximum speed the train travels on that stretch. And when the train passes through that point, the process of alarming the level crossing bells and the light signals begins, both for the car and for the conductor. Normally, 20 seconds of signals and alarms are expected and within 10 seconds for the composition to arrive at the level crossing, the barrier begins to lowe . These times vary from country to country. The axles are counted on that axle sensor and when the train starts to pass through an axle sensor right after the level crossing, that same axle sensor sends the information for a micro - controlled system that checks if all axes that passed the initial identification passed after the level crossing. It is the certainty that the entire composition has already passed to start the ascent of the barrier and the passage of cars and pedestrians is released.

Third level crossing option:

There is a third type of more sophisticated level crossing that predicts the speed of the train and adjusts the opening and closing time of barriers and audible signals based on the speed at which the train is approaching, but there are fewer and much lower-level barriers. more costly.

The level crossing has a regulation in each country with light and sound signals and signs like the famous “stop, look , listen” . There is also the Saint Andrew cross (usually with the words “railway crossing”. It has a whole symbology so that this system is as safe as possible. Anyway, it is an old technology, but very robust and that avoids many accidents around the world.

A train at 50, 60 km per hour hitting a vehicle is not a pleasant sight. There are millions of level crossings in the world, and it is estimated that only 30% of them are automatic. Many are still manual. Mainly level crossing in remote locations, away from cities, close to indigenous villages, which greatly increases the danger of accidents. Governments are putting more and more regulations in place to automate and monitor these level crossings. in monitoring it is not possible to automatically command to open or command to close a level crossing. However, you can see the status and verify if all are operating normally.

That's what exists behind a simple level crossing, a great technology, even an old one, but it represents enormous security.

Share article

Enhancing Rail Logistics: IntertechRail's Monitoring System

January 17, 2025

IntertechRail's monitoring system leverages RFID, axle counting, and solar power to enhance rail logistics with precision and sustainability.

A Retrospective on the Evolution of Railway AEI Technologies: From the 1980s to 2024

By Wilson Antunes • December 6, 2024

Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) is a vital development for the railway sector, enabling the automated identification and monitoring of assets such as railcars and locomotives. This technology optimizes resources, lowers costs, and improves operational accuracy and efficiency. The Pre-Digital Era and Manual Identification at the Inception of AEI The railway sector used manual processes like spreadsheets and paper records before automation. These techniques lacked scalability, were slow, and were prone to human error. Automation was unavoidable due to the need for more effective solutions, which signaled the start of the industry's technological transformation. The First Automated Solutions: Barcode Automation began with the advent of barcodes in the 1970s. Although the technology improved precision and dependability, it had operational drawbacks, such as the requirement for optical readers that were properly calibrated, which limited its use in challenging railroad settings. In 1967, the colorful barcode system known as KarTrak, or KarTrak ACI (Automatic Car Identification), was deployed in North America to track railcars automatically. Although initially adopted, it was abandoned by 1977 due to technical problems such as dirt buildup on labels, inadequate maintenance, and low reliability. The system's failure brought to light the difficulties the railroad industry had in implementing computerized tracking, which caused more developments to be postponed until the 1980s. AEI's RFID Wave By enabling contactless, in-motion reading, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transformed AEI in the 1980s. With readers placed in strategic locations and transponders mounted on railcars, the system guaranteed increased effectiveness, longevity, and minimal maintenance expenses. RFID is included into Intertechrail's state-of-the-art solutions, which include personalized tracking and monitoring systems that adhere to international standards set by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Technological Developments: Cloud-Based Solutions and IoT With the incorporation of cloud-based platforms and the Internet of Things (IoT) starting in 2010, AEI changed. Real-time monitoring, maintenance predictions, and the use of big data to optimize operations are made possible by solutions such as those offered by Intertechrail. These technologies improve the industry's level of efficiency by tracking location as well as load and railcar characteristics. Expanded AEI and Intelligent Tracking Systems in the Modern Era Nowadays, AEI incorporates sensors that detect pressure, temperature, and weight in real time, going beyond simple identification. Operations are safer and more transparent when advanced automation is paired with blockchain technology for secure data capture. Intertechrail systems are a prime example of this development, introducing innovation and dependability to rail transportation worldwide. Impact on the Railway Sector By cutting expenses, improving logistical effectiveness, and avoiding operating disruptions, AEI has revolutionized the railway industry. Technologies that minimize maintenance and operational failures have also improved safety, while resource and route optimization has lessened the environmental impact of the sector. AEI's Future in the Railway Industry With compatible technologies linking international railway networks, AEI is heading toward complete automation. In addition to predicting failures, artificial intelligence also claims to foresee market trends and requests. Leading this development are businesses such as Intertechrail, who are creating solutions that will influence the railway industry's future. By transforming the railway sector from its primitive practices to the sophisticated technologies of today, AEI has raised the bar for sustainability, efficiency, and safety. A Trusted Partner in Railway Progress Intertechrail has been actively involved in the technological advancement of the railway industry for more than 20 years. One of our main fields of expertise is creating and implementing AEI solutions, which are always in line with the requirements of a market that is continually changing. Our dedication throughout the years has been to deliver systems that not only meet but also surpass the demands of contemporary rail transportation, helping to create a more connected, safe, and effective future. Ready to take the next step in railway innovation? Contact out team today to learn how our AEI solutions can drive your operations forward and help shape the future of rail transportation.

Level Crossing: The technology behind the tracks