Austrian rail infrastructure manager ÖBB-Infrastruktur keeps on with improving safety at the country’s level crossings, especially in Upper Austria. It closes the unprotected level crossings, equips them with the boom barriers, light and sound signals. The other effective solution is to construct the underpasses below the tracks. Such installations are opened with the support of local authorities.

Since 2016 ÖBB-Infrastruktur has equipped more than 40 level crossings in Upper Austria with technical solutions in order to make them safe. The infrastructure company also closes the unprotected level crossings within the state. Six intersections have been blocked for the automobile traffic. ÖBB-Infrastruktur will equip them with boom barriers or install underpasses.

Underpasses

For the last three years, the company constructed two underpasses in Upper Austria for 2.33 million Euros. The latest one was opened recently on the Summerau Railway running from Linz to the Czech border. The conversion of the unprotected level crossings into the safe ones are being provided by ÖBB-Infrastruktur in a partnership with local authorities. For instance, two mentioned underpasses were half-funded by the municipality of Rainbach and state of Upper Austria.

Fewer level crossings

ÖBB-Infrastruktur is constantly reducing the number of level crossings in the whole of Austria and in particular in the state of Upper Austria. Since 2000 their quantity has been halved. Currently, there are 3,214 level crossings in Austria, there were 6,100 units in 2000. In Upper Austria, ÖBB-Infrastruktur operates 759 level crossings, 261 of them are equipped with technical protection. Every year, the infrastructure company invests 25 million Euros in the installation of technical solutions at the country’s level crossings or in their closure.

Also read:

• Netherlands converts unprotected level crossings
• Czechia invests 40 million Euros annually in safe level crossings