Level crossing

The term level crossing, in general a crossing at the same level, i.e. without bridge or tunnel, is especially used in the case that a road crosses a railway; it also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way crosses a road; the term "metro" usually means by definition that there are no level crossings.

Third rail electric systems may also have level crossings: there is a gap in the third rail over the level crossing, but in spite of that the power supply is not interrupted due to the fact that trains have current collectors at each of their ends.

On many level crossings where a busy road crosses a railway, automatic gates or barriers are lowered when a train approaches, to prevent a collision. On less important roads and railway lines level crossings are often "open" without gates to protect them, but these often have some kind of warning lights to warn of approaching trains.

Modern railways avoid level crossings with flyovers or overpasses[?].

At train stations there is sometimes a level crossing just for pedestrians, to reach the platforms if there is no tunnel or bridge, while the station is not a terminus.

External link

• http://www.unescap.org/tctd/lt/rwlevelcrossing.htm