Safety alert for level crossing at Skogby, Raasepori – the level crossing must be closed instantly to traffic until safety improvement measures have been taken

The Safety Investigation Authority Finland issued a safety alert on 15 November 2017 to the Finnish Transport Safety Agency and the Finnish Transport Agency under Section 25 of the Safety Investigation Act, relating to the accident that led to the death of four people at the level crossing at Skogby, Raasepori on 26 October 2017.

Based on the on-site investigation of the accident, the investigators of the Safety Investigation Authority find that the level crossing is highly dangerous.

The angle of convergence between the road and the tracks was measured and equals 43 degrees. According to the rail road regulations (RATO 9), the angle must be at least 58.5 degrees, but should be 72–90 degrees in most cases.

During the on-site investigation, it was also found that when the level crossing is approached from the east on the way to highway 25, the sightline to the right towards Karjaa and the direction from which the train involved in the accident was approaching changes when moving towards the level crossing so that, at eight metres from the outer rail, the sightline is 480 metres. The maximum speed limit for trains at the site of the accident is 120 km/h. According to the decree on sightlines, the maximum speed limit for trains is 80 km/h when the sightline is 480 metres and 120 km/h when the sightline is 720 metres. In addition, the proximity of the highway – 47 metres from the level crossing – makes crossing the level crossing safely more difficult.

The above factors pose a high accident risk, which is why safety improvement measures should be taken at this level crossing. Until the necessary safety improvement measures have been taken, the level crossing should be closed to traffic in order to avoid new accidents.

More information:
Veli-Pekka Nurmi, Executive Director, tel. +358 295 150 701
Esko Värttiö, Chief Rail Safety Investigator, tel. +358 295 150 708
Sakari Lauriala, Head of Communications, tel. +358 295 150 714