!

RC~39-19~6
STANDARDS
FOR
ROAD-RAIL LEVEL CROSSINGS
(First Revision)
THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS
1990
<<
IRC: 39-1986
STANDARDS
FOR
ROAD-RAIL LEVEL CROSSINGS
(First Revision)
Published by
THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS
Jamnagar House, Shahjahan Road,
New DeIh~-JIOOil
1990
Price Rs, 24
(pus postage & packing)
<<
mc: 39~J986
First published : ~ecernber, 1970
First Revision July, 1986
Reprinted Sept. 1~$:)O
(Rights of Publication andof Translation are reserved)
Printed at Sagar Printers & Publishers, New Delhi
1000 Sept. 1990
<<
IRCi 39-iS
STANDARDS FOR ROAD-RAIL LEVEL
CROSSiNGS
Page No.
I. Introduction ... 3
2. I.ocations ... 3
3. ClassificatIon of Level Crossings ... 4
4. Categorization ofRoads ... 4
S. Width ofCarriageway ... 5
6. Type of the Pavements ... S
7. MInimum Width of Gates at Right Angles to the
Centre Line of the Road ... 6
8. Minimum Length ofGuard Rails ... 6
9. PosItion of Gat with respect to the Carriageway ... 6
10. Minimum Distance of Gates from the Centre Line
of the Nearest Rail Track ... 7
II. Width of Road Formation Outside the Gates ... 7
12. Level Lengths and Gradients ... 7
13. AngIe of Crossing between the Centre Lines of the
Railway Track andthe Road
... 8
<<
IRC: 39 1986
14. Minimum Radius of the Centre Line of the Road
on Curved Approaches 8
15. Sight Distances ... 9
16. Minimum Straight Length of Road Outside the
Gates 10
17, Warning to Road Traffic of the Proximity of Level
Crossing . JO
18. Minimum Distance of Gate Lodge 11
19. Provision of Wicket Gates for Foot-Passengers ... 11
20. Provision of Light on Gates at Night ... 11
21. Safety Measures to Minimise Accidents .. 12
<<
IRC 394986
SiAN[JAIRDS IToR ROAD~aAJLLEVEL CROSSINGS
NTR ODUC~tON
II R.oadrad level crossings, however adequately designed
and constructed, are accident prone. However, whe;re it is not
p055thie from engineering and. economic conside rations to provide
road over/under bridges, and level crossings have to he provided,
the sttfftdtt rds given here under sho uld be followed in the interest
of maxirnu m safety.
~2... These standards are intended pdmarily to l::te applied to
new constructions or where an existing crossing is being reconstru~
cted. F:~.sistin,g level crossings need not he altered me rely to suit
these standards,
~3. The draft of this standard had been approved by the
Sf:Pecifii::~Ltii:risand Standards Corn m~tteeat its meeting held at New
Delhi in September i 961. Thereafter, as suggested by the Co in
ttee ,it was forwarded to the Road5 Wing of the Mini:stry of Sh.i
ping and Transport for finalisation in consultation with the Ministry
of Railways~. The Railways gave their concurreri cc to the stanc.la rd
in Septe mbe r 1970., after effecting slight changes in the original
the draft stand.a rd ~ subsequently approved for puhlicat~
ion by the Executive Corn rnittee and the! Council at their meetings
res.pectively in Nc5vemher and December 1970. Provisions of
this o! ~ancard have been ceparately circulated by the R ad way
Board among the different Zonal Railways.
4. On ?the request of the In dia.n Roads Ce.ingress,, the first
r~ev~sioinFt as been made by the M~ni:stryof Transport.,. l.:)elmrtrnerlt
of Surface. Transport (Roads Vt ing) after ohtainin,g the comments
from the Ministry of Transport, Department of Railways. Besides
the minor ed~tor~al changes a &e.sh clause 21 Safety Measures to
Minirr~tiseAecidents has. been added in the :rev~sion.
L LOCATIONt
As far at: possible
1 ro.ad~rail level crossings should riot he
l.ocated near railway stations: and marshalling yards. if this is
unav.oi,dahie,, they should be located beyond shunting limits.
3
<<
IIC: 39-1986
3. CLASSIFICATION OF LEVEL CROSSINGS
3.1. bevel crossings shall be classified as below
Special
A class
B class For vehicular traffic
C class
D class For cattle crossings and footpaths
3.2. The classification of a rail-road level crossing shall be
settled mutually by the Railway and Road Authorities keeping in
view the class of the road, visibility conditions, the volume of road
traffic and the number of trains passing over the level crossing.
4. CATEGORIZATION OF ROADS
For the purpose of this standard, the roads shall be catego-
rized as under
(1) Class I Roads
(a) National Highways;
(b) State Highways;
(c) Important roads within municipal towns; and
(d) Roads in and around towns where road and rail
traffic is heavy.
(U) Class 11 Roads
(a) Major and Other District roads;
(b) Unimportant roads within municipal towns;
(c) Roads within non-municipal towns including those
within shunting limits of its railway stations ; and
(d) Other surfaced roads.
(iii) Class lU Roads
(a) Earth roads; and
(b) Cart tracks.
4
<<
JRC: 39-1986
(iv) Class IV Roads
Cattle crossings and footpaths.
5. WIDTH OF CARRIAGEWAY
(1) Between gates
Between gates the width of carriageway shall be the same as
that of the gates (see Clause 7).
(ii) Outside gates
The minimum width of carriageway immediately outside the
gates (but tapering off to the existing carriageway width within
a distance of 30 rn from the gate) shall be as below
(a) Class I RoAds
7 m or the width of the existing carriageway, whichever
is greater.
(b) Class II Roads
5.5 m or the width of the existing carriageway, whichever
is greater.
(c) Class UI Roads
3.75 in or the width of the existing carriageway,
whichever is greater.
(d) Class IV Roads
Suitable width~subject to 2 m being the minimum,
6, TYPE OF THE PAVEMENTS
(i) Between gates
The surface shall not be of a lower standard than the
surface outside the railway boundary. In case the surface
outside the gates be of cement-concrete, black-topped
surface may be provided.
5
<<
IRC 39-1986
(ii) Outside gates
The surface should not be of a lower specification than
that of the existing road. However, in the case of Class I
and Class II roads, it will be desirable to have a black-
topped surface for a distance of at least 30 m beyond
each gate.
7. MINIMUM WIDTH OF GATES AT RIGIfI ANGLES
TO THE CENTRE LINE OF THE ROAD
(I) For Class I Roads
9 m or equal to the width of the carriageway,
outside gates plus 2.5 m whichever is more.
(U) For Class II Roads
7 .5 m or equal to the width of the carriageway
outside gates plus 2 m whichever is more.
(iii) For Class Ill Roads
5 m or equal to the width of the carriageway
outside the gates plus 1.25 m whichever is more.
(iv) For Class IV Roads
immediately
immediately
immediately
Suitable width, subject to 2 m being the minimum.
8, MINIMUM LENGTH OF GUARD-RAILS
This should be 2 m more than the width of the gates on
square crossings, and proportionately longer on skew crossings.
9. POSITION OF GATES WITH RESPECT
TO THE CARRIAGEWAY
9.1. The gates may be swing gates, lifting gataP or movable
barriers of approved design.
9.2. The gates should be at right angles to the centre line of
the road.
6
<<
IRC: 39-1986
9.3. On level crossings across Class IV roads, stakes shall be
fixed between the gate posts to prevent passage of road vehicles,
10, MINIMUM DISTANCE OF GATES FROM THE CENTRE
LINE OF THE NEAREST RAIL TRACK
This should be 3 m on broad gauge lines and 2.5 m on metre
gauge and narrow gauge lines,
11. WIDTH OF ROAD FORMATION OUTSIDE THE GATES
The width of the road formation for a distance of 30 m
beyond the gate should be as follows
(I) Class I and Class II Roads
Width of carriageway immediately outside the gates (see
Clause 5) plus 5 m.
(i/) Class Ill Roads
Width of the carriageway immediately outside the gates
(see Clause 5) plus 2.5 m.
(iii) Class IV Roads
Suitable width subject to 3 m being the minimum,
12. LEVEL LENGTHS AND GRADIENTS
(i) Between gates
Level for all classes.
(ii) Outside gates
(a) Class I Roads
Same level as between the gates upto 13 m beyond
~ gates and not steeper than I in 40 beyond.
(b) Class II Roads
Same level as between the gates upto 8 m beyond
gates and not steeper than 1 in 30 beyond.
7
<<
ii Ito:::: 39 1 ii bIb
(C) Class ill Roads
Same level as between lire gates upto Sm heycrtc:i gates
and not steeper than tn 20 beyond.
(ci) Class iV Roads Ncrt sleeper than 1 in 115.
Shockfrec vertical curves us per Indian Roads Congress Standards
should be pros ided al all gradient changes. The level distances
mentioned above are earl usive of the Icngths required for the provision
of verokosl curves,
IAM; LB OF CROSSING BETWEEN THE CENTRE LINES
OF THE RMLWY TRACK A Ni) THE ROAD
lute angle of crossing between the centre line of the ri Lid an
ni the railts ay track should ordmarily not he io~er than 4f
degrees~ tn the case of Class i, Class il and Class Ill roads. For
C hiss IV irc,:tads,, the angle ot crossing should he 90 degrees
lr4, MINiMUM RADIUS OF THE CENTRE LiNE
OF THE ROAD ON CURVED APPROACHES
1.1. Miriarnun, roWus of the curve shall clegend ilcrl the
i::Iesign speed. coefficient of friction between the tyres t:tnd road
snrft:iee and maa.inluni allow able value of superelevatton The
,rninirnunt rad~tfor different design speeds br good surfaced. rcads
may he l::troVicled as indwtated in the table below
Radius of h orfron cal curve (metres)
Pt sin anti rolling HlIly
Speed krn~C, terrain
Not afTecced by Saow bt:tund
snow
20 14 iii
25 20 23
30 30 :33
35 45 40 45
40 60 50 60
so
60 130
65 155
80 2.30
i o~i:l 360
An angle nt crossing lower than 45 degrees cart also he provided buo
only after special perntissinn from the Raiiwa:t~Board vhieri nra be
~ranted in e:rptcep lows I
S
<<
IRC : 39-1986
14.?. Tn difficult terrain where it is not possible to adopt the
above standard, the radius may be reduced with the concurrence
of the Road Authority.
14.3. For other categories of roads, the best possible radius
having r~rgardto safety of the road traffic, should be adopted.
15 , SIGHT DISTANCES
15.1. The roads in the vicinity of the level crossings shall
be provided with sight distances depending upon the design speed
as per table No. 11 of IRC 73-1980 reproduced below
SToPPING Siosrr DisrANca ~ VARious Smns
Perception and
brake reaction
Distance
(metres)
d
1 =0,27 8
Vt
Safe stopping sight
distance (metres)
Calcula- Rounded
ted off values
values for
d1 + d1 design
20 2.5 14 0.40
25 2.5 18 0.40
30 2.5 21 0.40
40 2,5 28 0.38
5 0 2,5 35 0.37
60 2.5 42 0.36
65 2,5 45 0.36
80 2.5 5 6 0.35
4 18 20
6 24 25
9 30 30
17 45 45
27 62 60
39 81 80
46 91 90
7 2 118 120
100 2.5 70 0.35 112 182 180
15.2. To further improve visibility, gate lodges should be so
sited that a clear and unobstructed view is obtained by the road
traffic of all approaching trains. While doing so, care should be
taken to make allowance for all possible future extensions, e.g.,
additions to the railway track(s) or widening of the road.
Speed
V
(km~h)
Braking
Time,
(Sec.)
CoeffIcient Distance I
of longltu- (metres)
dnal (nc- . V~
tion(f) d1=.25
9
<<
IRC: 39-1986
15.3, On unmanned level crossings, efforts should be made
to keep the sight triangles demarcated in the four corners on the
basis of speeds of trains and the road vehicles, clear of any obstruc-
tion to sight.
16. MINIMUM STRAIGHT LENGTH OF ROAD
OUTSIDE THE GATES
This shall normally be 30 m, 22.5 m and 15 m for level
crossings of Class 1. Class IT and Class TI! roads respectively. The
straight length may, however, he reduced depending on sight con-
ditions if difficult to attain, The reduction should, however, not go
below the minimum straight lengths of 15 m, 9 m and 4.5 m for
the three classes of roads respectively.
17 . WARNING TO ROAD TRAFFIC OF THE
PROXIMITY OF LEVEL CROSSING
17.1, Unguarded Railway Crossing
The sign should be used on the approaches of level crossings
where there are no gates or other barriers, A pair of signs shall be
used for the purpose (i) an advance warning sign located at 200
metre away from the crossing, and (ii) a second sign to be erected
near the crossing. The distance of the second sign from the
crossing may be 50-100 metre in plain and rolling terrain and
30-60 metre in hilly terrain.
17.2. Guarded Railway Crossing
The sign should be used to warn traffic on the approaches of
guarded railway crossings. A pair of signs shall be used for the
purpose (i) an advance warning sign located at 200 metre away
from the crossing, and (ii) a second sign to be erected near the
crossing. The distance of the second sign from the crossing may
be 50-100 metre in plain and rolling terrain and 30-60 nietre in
hilly terrain.
17.3. Gates should be painted white, with a red disc not less
than 60 cm in diameter in the centre. The gate posts also must
be painted white. Where gates or chains are not provided, posts
must still be provided at the position prescribed for gate posts and
these should be painted white.
10
<<
IRC: 391986
18. MINIMUM DISTANCE OF GATE LODGE
18.1. The minimum distance of gate lodge shall be as given
below
Class I Class II Class II! Class IV
Roads Roads Roads Roads
(a)Fromthe 6m 6m 6m 6m
centre l i ne
of the
nearest rai l
track
(b) From the 6 m 6 in 6 m 6 m
edge of the
carriageway
18.2. The recommendation in Clause 15 regarding sight
distances should .also be kept in view,
19, PROVISION OFWICKET GATES FOR FOOT-PASSENGERS
19.1. in the case of level crossings on Class I and Class IL
roads, wicket gates for pedestrians shall be provided except where
there are ibot overbridges.
19.2. In the case of level crossings on Class 111 and Class 1V
roads, wicket gates need not be provided.
19.3. Wicket gates should be of such a design that cattle
cannot easily and readily pass through them.
20. PROVISION OF LIGHT ON GATES AT NIGHT
(z) Light as observed by road users
(a) Class I aad Class H Roads
Red when either gate is closed to the road. White, when
the gates are opened to the road.
(b) Class III Roads
Same as above, but reflectors may be used as an alter-
native to lamps.
II
<<
lRC: 39-1986
(ii) Ligbt as observed by drivers of approatbing trains
(a) Class I Roads: Red, when gates are closed across
the railway track,
(b) Other cases: Nil,
21. SAFETY MEASURES TO MIN1MISE ACCIDENTS
21.1. Latest IRC road signs indicating whether the railway
crossing is manned or unmanned shall be installed on either end
of the crossing at the prescribed distance as per TRC 67-1977.
21.2. Speed limit road signs for the imposed Speed Signs
of limit on speed of approaching traffic shall be installed on either
end of the crossing at the prescribed distance.
21.3. Rumble strips on both sides of the Railway crossing
shall be provided as per following specifications. A common
application of rumble strips is the placement of intermittent, raised
bituminous overlays across the roadway. Raised sections can be
15-25 mm high, 200-300 mm wide, and spaced about one metre
centre to centre. .A series of such strips, roughly 15-20 at one
location shall be provided. The raised sections shall consist of
premix carpet/semi-dense carpet/asphaiti c concrete.
21.4. Speed breakers shall not be permitted.
21.5. Flashing signals shall be installed on both sides of the
crossing after assessing their requirement for each case.
12
<<