Page 18 - Operation Lifesaver Estonia / Annual Report 2012

16

tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights of way.

Founded in Estonia on 19 November 2004 -

www.ole.ee

I am delighted to admit that in 2012 took place

a significant reduction in the number of railway

accidents. In total there occurred 16 railway

accidents, which is almost two times less than 28

accidents that took place in 2011. There were 4

motor vehicle and train collisions that resulted in

injuring one person. There were no accidents with

fatal consequences. Another significant indicator

is the 4-fold reduction in the number of collisions

and also the fact that during the last couple of years

no one has died in such collisions. There were 12

trespassing people hit by trains, 6 of them were

injured and 7 died.

In recent years, the vast majority of the accidents

took place due to negligence and violation of traffic

regulations by road users. In order to reduce the

number of such accidents, infrastructure managers

fenced in 2012 areas in several junction stations

and between stops in larger towns (Tallinn-Balti,

Lilleküla, Tapa, Tartu and Jõgeva). In addition, a

pedestrian tunnel was opened in Lilleküla station in

Tallinn for making crossing railways as comfortable

and safe as possible. Similar efforts will continue

also in the coming periods and hopefully we can

see their positive effects already in the near future.

The measures taken for reducing the number of

collisions include updating of regulations, closing

problematic level crossings and improving level

crossing visibility. These and many other similar

activities have given good results and improved the

safety level of level crossings.

The keyword in the field of railway safety in 2012

was the start of the testing period of the new

passenger trains in Estonia. The introduction

of these trains in summer 2013 requires the

preparation of railway infrastructure, renovation of

passenger platforms and reconstruction of access

ways. In 2012 passenger platforms were renovated

mostly in Tallinn area and in total the usage

permits were issued to 32 new platforms. By today

infrastructure managers have reconstructed 132

passenger platforms all over Estonia. The Technical

Surveillance Authority has consulted companies and

local governments regarding the technical issues

related to the platforms not yet reconstructed and

created preconditions for completing platform

reconstruction works on all railway lines by the end

of 2013.

In 2012 were enforced the amendments to the

Railway Technical Operating Rules that created

preconditions for using maximally the potential of

the new trains, as well as for improving the safety

level of the Estonian railway network considering

the need for higher train driving speeds in the future.

In addition, the Technical Surveillance Authority

collected the experience received during supervision

and proposals made by the sector companies for

updating the Instruction for Railway Crossings

and the Passenger Platform Standard. In case of

level crossings our objectives include maintaining

The keyword in the field of railway

safety in 2012 was the start of the

testing period of the new passenger

trains in Estonia.

Raigo Uukkivi

Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority,

Director General