Railway Crossings: A Persistent Safety Concern
A tragic incident on February 11th in Hamburg, where an ICE train collided with a semi-trailer truck, killing one passenger and injuring 24, has reignited concerns about the safety of railway crossings. In response, Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German rail operator, aims to further reduce the number of road-rail intersections due to the inherent risks they pose.
Declining Number of Crossings and Accidents
According to DB, there were approximately 28,000 railway crossings nationwide in the mid-1990s, a number that has since been reduced to 15,820 in 2023. This decline has largely been driven by the construction of overpasses and underpasses for vehicles and pedestrians, replacing dangerous intersections.
The number of accidents at railway crossings has also witnessed a significant drop, with a decline of more than three-quarters between 1995 and 2023. In 2023, there were 154 such accidents reported nationwide.
Human Error: A Major Culprit
"Over 95 percent of collisions between cars and trains occur due to inattention, recklessness, or ignorance," stated a DB spokesperson. The railway operator has launched the "Sicher drüber" (Safely Across) awareness campaign to educate the public about the risks involved.
For instance, it takes a 1,000-ton passenger train traveling at 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) up to a kilometer (0.6 miles) to come to a complete stop.
Ongoing Investigations After Deadly Hamburg Accident
The fatal collision in Hamburg-Rönneburg occurred at a crossing with half-barriers and yellow/red traffic lights. A narrow road crosses the tracks, leading to a track construction company. The semi-trailer truck involved in the accident was transporting heavy rails, which were scattered extensively upon impact.
Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. The 34-year-old truck driver is being investigated for dangerous interference in rail traffic and negligent homicide.
Safety Measures to Be Implemented
DB has indicated that if the investigation reveals any necessary measures to enhance safety at the Hamburg-Rönneburg crossing, they will be implemented. The operator emphasizes the need to await the outcome of the investigation before taking any actions.
Concerns Raised in Lower Saxony
Investigations are also ongoing following an accident at a railway crossing in Ofenerdiek, Lower Saxony. On January 11th, a small car collided with a Nordwestbahn train at a crossing with open barriers, resulting in a heavily injured cyclist. The crossing was reportedly being secured by a crossing attendant due to construction work.
A subsequent incident at the same crossing on January 19th involved a train passing at over 100 kilometers per hour with the barriers still open. A motorist was able to stop her car just in time and alerted the authorities. Investigations into this incident are also ongoing.
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Transport has expressed concerns about safety lapses in exceptional situations such as construction work and staffing shortages, as evidenced by the incidents in Ofenerdiek and the ICE collision in Hamburg.
Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
Lower Saxony’s Minister of Transport, Olaf Lies (SPD), strongly condemned the situation, stating that open barriers with unrestricted train movement are "absolutely unacceptable."
"Deutsche Bahn has a duty to take its responsibility even more seriously and to consistently identify and mitigate dangerous situations at unlit and partially lit railway crossings," he said. "Only in this way can we ensure that rail traffic in Lower Saxony remains safe for everyone."
Government Support for Safety Enhancements
According to the newspaper "Die Harke," two previously unprotected railway crossings in Estorf and Landesbergen will soon be equipped with half-barriers and yellow/red traffic lights. Discussions about safety concerns at these crossings have been ongoing for years.
DB is collaborating with the federal government and road authorities to further reduce the number of railway crossings. A federal initiative to provide financial assistance to municipalities may accelerate this process.
Continued Safety Focus
In Lower Saxony, 68.4 percent of railway crossings are equipped with technical safety measures. All crossings are marked with St. Andrew’s crosses, indicating that trains always have right of way.
Despite the progress made in reducing accidents and improving safety, the ongoing incidents highlight the need for a continued focus on educating motorists about the risks and implementing appropriate safety measures at railway crossings.
