Making it easier to clear areas of unobstructed visibility at level crossings with deficient conditions

A level crossing without a warning device and with deficient conditions on a track with a low traffic volume is a typical site of an accident in Finland. Deficiencies in the areas of unobstructed visibility at level crossings in particular have been in the background of several previous level crossing accident investigations.
The right of the track manager to clear out areas of unobstructed visibility at level crossings has been specified in the Railways Act. However, the right to clear areas defined by law is partially subject to interpretation. Problems occur especially in level crossings, in which there are existing buildings or vegetation in the areas of unobstructed visibility. This may sometimes make it difficult to improve the conditions at level crossings quickly.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications proposes that the Railway Act should be changed so that clearing the areas of unobstructed visibility to ensure their safety could also be done as smoothly as possible in level crossings, in which there are existing buildings or vegetation in the areas of unobstructed visibility.

A level crossing without a warning device and with deficient conditions on a track with a low traffic volume is a typical site of an accident in Finland. Deficiencies in the areas of unobstructed visibility at level crossings in particular have been in the background of several previous level crossing accident investigations.
The right of the track manager to clear out areas of unobstructed visibility at level crossings has been specified in the Railways Act. However, the right to clear areas defined by law is partially subject to interpretation. Problems occur especially in level crossings, in which there are existing buildings or vegetation in the areas of unobstructed visibility. This may sometimes make it difficult to improve the conditions at level crossings quickly.