Level Crossing Safety
It seems to me that upgrading level crossings with lights, bells and boom gates is missing the point that horse and carts are no longer using our roads.
The traditional railway crossing was developed prior to 1900 – before motor vehicles were ever invented and they simply have not changed since.
With today’s trains, trucks and cars traveling over 100 kph, no one can hear the bells clanging. If sound is to be used, it needs to permeate the car/truck radio system otherwise, get rid of them as they only annoy the neighbors.
Flashing lights located alongside the rail tracks are also next to useless. By the time a fast moving vehicle sees them, it is way too close to stop. They need to be replaced with strobing red and blue lights as used by police and fire vehicles. They can be seen in all directions for over a kilometre.
