Level Crossings PDF

CHAPTER XVI LEVEL CROSSINGS 16.01. Knowledge of signals.–– No person shall be appointed to be a Gateman unless he has a knowledge of signals. 16.02. Supply and care of equipment.–– Every Gateman shall--- (a) be supplied with day and night hand signals, detonator...

CHAPTER XVI LEVEL CROSSINGS 16.01. Knowledge of signals.–– No person shall be appointed to be a Gateman unless he has a knowledge of signals. 16.02. Supply and care of equipment.–– Every Gateman shall--- (a) be supplied with day and night hand signals, detonators, and other prescribed equipment, and (b) keep such signals, detonators and other equipment in proper order and ready for use. 16.03. Road Traffic.–– (1) Subject to such special instructions in that behalf as are permitted by these rules, all gates at level crossings shall be kept constantly closed and securely fastened across the thoroughfare on both sides of the railway and shall only be opened when it is necessary and safe to open them for the passage of road traffic: Provided that any Railway Administration may from time to time issue special instructions for any particular level crossing or class of level crossing and may by such special instructions permit the gates at any level crossing or class of level crossing to be normally kept open to road traffic and may therein prescribe the conditions under which gates are to be kept closed against road traffic for the passage of a train or trains or for the purposes of any other railway operation; and all such special instructions so long as they be not cancelled or superseded shall for the purposes only of the Railway Administration issuing the same be deemed to be General Rules within the meaning and subject to the provision of section 60 of the Act. (2) If for any reason the gates at level crossings cannot be so closed / fastened across thoroughfares on both sides of the track, action to prevent the approaching trains, if any, from running into the gate may be taken in accordance with stipulations laid down under Rule 16.06. (3) Gatemen, where provided, shall, at all level crossings be prepared, whenever such level crossings be open to road traffic, to show a Stop hand signal to any approaching train. (4) Where no Gateman is specially provided for night duty at a level crossing, the gates thereat shall, subject to special instructions, be locked at night and opened only to pass road traffic in such manner as may be prescribed by special instructions. 294 16.04. Gateman to observe passing trains.— Except where otherwise prescribed under special instructions, the Gateman shall observe all passing trains and be prepared to take such action as may be necessary to ensure safety of trains. 16.05. Channel for flange of wheels.–– The Gateman shall see that the channel for the flange of the wheels is kept clear. 16.06. Defects at level crossings.–– If any gate or the fastenings thereof, or any fixed signal pertaining to the gate becomes out of order, the Gateman shall— (a) take action to close the gates, if possible, against the road traffic (b) after closing the gates, hand signal that train movements past the level crossing, (c) if the gates cannot be so closed, put the banner flag or level crossing flag in such manner as to warn the approaching train to stop short of gate and thereafter hand signal the train, (d) report the fact to his superior or the nearest Gangmate. 16.07. Obstructions at level crossings.–– Every Gateman, on noticing any obstruction on the line, shall at once remove it or, if unable to do so, shall— (a) take action to ensure that the fixed signals, if any, protecting the gate are kept at ‘on’, (b) show Stop hand signal and do his best to stop approaching trains, and (c) shall protect the obstruction as per Rule 3.62. 16.08. Parting of a train.— If a Gateman notices that a train has parted, he shall not show a Stop hand signal to the Loco Pilot, but shall endeavour to attract the attention of the Loco Pilot and the Guard by shouting, gesticulating or other means. 16.09. Trespassing.— Every Gateman shall, as far as possible, prevent any trespassing by persons or cattle. 295 16.10. Transfer of charge of gate.— Except in accordance with special instructions, no Gateman shall leave his gate unless another Gateman has taken charge of it. 16.11. Height gauges.— (1) Adequate arrangements shall be made to erect height gauges on either side of the overhead equipment or other equipment at every level crossing so as to ensure that all vehicles and moving structures passing under the height gauge also pass under the overhead equipment or other equipment with adequate clearance. (2) The adequate clearance referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be sanctioned under approved special instructions. (3) Vehicles and moving structures, which cannot pass under the height gauge without striking or touching it, shall not be permitted to pass the overhead equipment or other equipment except in accordance with special instructions. 296