The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, having analyzed recent years' statistics on incidents at railway level crossings, has identified a concerning trend. While the number of accidents involving fatalities or injuries remains relatively low, there has been a significant increase over the past three years in the number of incidents at level crossings involving drivers.
Director of Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau Uldis Reimanis explains: “When analyzing the statistics on incidents at railway level crossings, the trend is alarming and worsening each year — in 2023, the number of incidents increased by nearly 25% compared to the previous period, and already in the first few months of this year, more than 50 such incidents have occurred.”
“At first glance, cases where a passenger or freight vehicle stops on a level crossing or strikes an automatic barrier may seem to result only in material damage to the infrastructure owner. However, it must be emphasized that each such incident can lead to a serious accident — a collision with a train, derailment, and risk to passengers and infrastructure. Moreover, these situations often require emergency braking, which in itself can endanger passengers on board the train,” Reimanis adds.
Among all railway level crossings in the Latvian rail network, the highest number of incidents in 2024 have occurred at crossings no. 902, 907, and 924. Notably, at crossing no. 902, located on the Torņakalns - Olaine rail section, eight incidents have already been recorded in the first three months of the year.
In light of these findings, Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau has decided to launch a formal investigation. During this investigation, crossings with the highest number of incidents will be reviewed. The process will involve analyzing applicable regulations for level crossings, the technical condition and equipment of crossings, road and rail traffic organization and other contributing factors.
The goal is to determine the causes of these incidents and to issue recommendations to responsible authorities to improve railway and road traffic safety.
As part of the investigation, Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau invites all residents - especially those who regularly use level crossings as drivers or pedestrians, or who live near them — to share any information or observations about such incidents or their possible causes sending all information to the bureau’s official email: pasts@taiib.gov.lv
All submitted information will be compiled and used alongside the findings of the investigation to assist in discussions with stakeholders and to improve the safety of all road and rail users in their daily activities.