NPR 717 Using emergency roadside warning equipment

Introduction

Emergency roadside warning equipment is used to warn road and pedestrian traffic at Type F level crossings if warning equipment:

• cannot be operated, or
• is to be disconnected.

It consists of:

• yellow covers for flashing lights
• combined RAIL CROSSING and HANDSIGNALLER signs
• PREPARE TO STOP signs
• hand-held STOP signs.

Setting up emergency roadside warning equipment

Handsignaller

1. If emergency roadside warning equipment is needed, arrange with the Signaller to get the equipment.
2. Get the Test and Emergency keys from the controlling location.
3. Cover the existing roadside advance warning signs with the combined RAIL CROSSING and HANDSIGNALLER signs.

1. Place a PREPARE TO STOP sign 20m closer to the level crossing than the combined RAIL CROSSING and HANDSIGNALLER signs.

1. Place yellow covers over the level crossing lights.
2. Open the Test and Emergency boxes.
3. Insert the keys in the Emergency switches.
4. Set Emergency switches to OFF.
5. Tie a rope to the top cross-brace of each road boom.
6. Fully raise the booms by hand, and tie them to the post.

1. Do not tie pedestrian boom arms.

Managing road and pedestrian traffic

Handsignaller

1. Raise pedestrian booms or open gates, as required, to allow pedestrians to cross.
2. When rail traffic approaches the level crossing, use the hand-held STOP sign to stop road and pedestrian traffic.
3. Make sure that pedestrian gates are closed or pedestrian booms are lowered.
4. After road and pedestrian traffic has stopped, give a PROCEED handsignal to the Driver or Track Vehicle Operator. Make sure that road and pedestrian traffic does not act on your signal.
5. When rail traffic has fully cleared the level crossing, and if no other rail traffic is approaching, direct road and pedestrian traffic to proceed.

Returning to normal operation

Signaller

When told by the Maintenance Representative that the warning equipment is certified as working correctly:

1. Tell Handsignallers to test the level crossing and return it to normal operation.
2. Record the details in permanent form.

Handsignaller

1. Make sure that the Test switch is set to NORMAL.
2. Make sure that all Emergency switches are ON.
3. Make sure that the Master Emergency Switch (if fitted) is set to NORMAL.
4. Remove the keys from the Emergency switches.
5. Untie ropes from the post.
6. Set the Test switch to TEST.
7. Check that all warning equipment works correctly.
8. Untie ropes from the top cross-brace of road booms.
9. Return the Test switch to NORMAL.
10. Check that all warning equipment stops operating.
11. Remove emergency roadside warning equipment.
12. Lock the Test and Emergency boxes.
13. Tell the Signaller that the level crossing is operational.
14. Arrange for emergency roadside warning equipment to be returned.
15. Arrange for the Test and Emergency keys to be returned to the controlling location.