Safety Measures at Level Crossings

Efforts to Eliminate Level Crossings

We are working with people in local communities to elevate, consolidate, and eliminate level crossings. Where it is difficult to eliminate Class 3 and Class 4 crossings, we are converting them to Class 1 crossings.

Number of Level Crossings Eliminated over Past Five Years (Including Those Transferred to Third-Sector Operators)

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FY 2022.3 2023.3 2024.3 2025.3 FY2026.3 Results
Reduction

8

38

11

15

13

Changes to the Number of Level Crossings (As of April 1)

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Tangible Perspective Measures

  • Obstacle Detectors

    To prevent train derailments due to collisions with vehicles of all sizes, we are installing equipment to detect vehicles stuck at level crossings where trains will be passing through.
    Our obstacle detectors use 3D laser radar that covers the overall level crossing area and achieves higher detection performance than conventional equipment. We are steadily installing these detectors with newly improved features that set higher standards for detection performance and reduce false positives caused by falling particles such as rain and snow.

  • Omnidirectional Warning Lights

    Regarding level crossing warning lights to notify the approaching of a train, we are replacing conventional warning lights with omnidirectional warning lights so that they can be easily seen by elderly people with lower sight lines and automobile drivers who enter level crossings from roads.

  • Level Crossing Obstacle Alarm Devices (Emergency Buttons)

    We are installing emergency buttons to notify train operators of danger if vehicles get stuck at a level crossing. So far, we have completed the installation of these devices at all level crossings within a 100 km radius of Tokyo where vehicles pass, as well as at level crossings susceptible to tsunami damage. In FY2018.3, we also improved the visibility of all emergency buttons and standardized guide signs.

  • Level Crossings for Easier Passage

    In addition to elevating and widening roads at level crossings, where necessary, we are using colored pavements or adopting other approaches for roads that cross railways, such as building pedestrian overpasses, and making improvements as dictated by local conditions.

Campaigns and Other Activities Aimed at People Using Railway Level Crossings

We collaborate with police and other relevant organizations to encourage accident prevention at level crossings and schools. In addition, every year we carry out campaigns such as broadcasting accident-prevention videos and broadcasting radio commercials in cooperation with other railway operators.

Level Crossing Guidance Signs

On January 15, 2024, the “Standards for Facilitating Road Mobility Based on the Barrier-Free Law and Guidelines for Facilitating Road Mobility” were revised.
In response to this, we are consulting with road management authorities and installing guidance signs at level crossings.

Initiatives Involving Class 4 Level Crossings

Class 4 level crossings are not equipped with alarms or crossing gates. We are working with local communities to eliminate such crossings or upgrade them to Class 1 level crossings.
In addition, as another measure to prevent accidents at level crossings, we are erecting caution signs and erecting “physical devices” (fences) that encourage people to slow down before crossing level crossings.

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