C8/​1999R Haz­ardous sit­u­a­tion caused by a pass­ing of a “stop” as­pect of a main sig­nal at Ker­ava, on June 23, 1999

23.06.1999

On Wednesday, 23 June 1999, a hazardous situation was generated by a local train at standstill starting to head southwards past the main signal in the departure direction. The main signal displayed a “stop” aspect. When approaching the signal, the engine driver perceived it and started to brake, but notwithstanding the braking he trailed the turnout before the train stopped. A fast train passing the local train had been secured a route on the adjacent track; the route ran through the turnout in question to the western main line. The driver of the fast train saw the aspect of the main signal in the departure direction changing into a “stop” aspect, and he succeeded in stopping the train at Kerava station.

The engine driver of the local train set off past the signal displaying a “stop” aspect, as he supposed the route to be secured as normally, and therefore he failed to have a careful look at the aspect of the main signal in the departure direction.

In order to prevent corresponding hazardous situations and possible accidents, Accident Investigation Board of Finland recommends that the main signals in the departure direction be located as close as possible to the end of the passenger platform.

Recommendation S120