Level Crossing Visibility Assessment

Understanding climate change & urban heat island effects and taking action

The challenge:
High risk at passive level crossings

Level crossings are critical points in railroad networks where tracks intersect with roads and pedestrian paths. Passive level crossings - without automatic barriers or warning signals - pose the greatest risk. Their safety depends entirely on the caution of road users, which makes them particularly dangerous.

Key Facts:

There are over 43,000 passive level crossings in the EU (source: UNECE Statistical Database, 2020)
More than 9,000 in Germany alone (source: Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), 2023
Poor visibility at these crossings significantly increases the risk of accidents

To increase safety, regular inspections are crucial to ensure clear visibility between roads and paths in designated areas.

Our project on this topic:

Geoanalytics

Space 4Level project

Space-based innovative solutions for level crossing safety.

Learn more

The solution: Combination of satellite data and on-board sensors

Our innovative monitoring approach integrates satellite data and on-board sensor technology to enable a cost-effective, scalable and efficient inspection process.

Step-by-step monitoring process:

1. initial screening via satellite data

Large-scale, regular assessments (e.g. every two months)
Identification of intersections with visual obstructions
Cost-efficient and independent of on-site operations

2. selection of critical level crossings

Operators review flagged crossings

Decision on further detailed inspection

3. use of on-board sensors

High-resolution imaging and precise visibility analysis
Mounted on trains for practical, real-life evaluation

4. evaluation and decision-making

Data analysis to determine necessary measures
Sound decision-making for safety measures

5. safety measures on site

Implementation of remedial measures (e.g. removal of vegetation)
Ensuring long-term visibility and risk reduction

By using this hybrid approach, rail operators can improve safety at passive level crossings while optimizing resources and minimizing operational disruptions.

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