On 28 October 2026, safety experts gathered in London and online for the 36th Global Level Crossing Network (GLCN) meeting, hosted by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and organised by UIC.
Chaired by the recently appointed Gemma Lavery (RSSB), the meeting brought together rail infrastructure managers, national safety authorities, law enforcement (British Transport Police (BTP)), and safety researchers from across Europe, North America, and Japan to share data-driven strategies, technological innovations, and behavioural research with the aim of reducing level crossing collisions, pedestrian risks, and trespassing.
Understanding the risk profiles of young people and developing relevant strategies
A major focus of the meeting was how children and young people perceive risks. RSSB introduced research project T1432, which analyses factors such as cognitive development, distraction, overconfidence, and young people’s ability to judge train speed and distance up to the age of 18. Member organisations also shared relevant educational strategies to raise awareness:
- Mandatory curriculum: England introduced mandatory railway safety education in school curricula in September 2026.
- School outreach programmes: Ireland’s “Rail Safe Friendly” programme was implemented in 150 schools adjacent to railways, while Croatia launched a nationwide mapping project analysing school routes near level crossings.
- Classroom training: Japan incorporated classroom instruction to teach young people how to use emergency buttons.
Addressing pedestrian fatalities and developing countermeasures
Network Rail (UK) detailed actions taken by its senior task force in response to a recent increase in accidental pedestrian fatalities associated with distractions from mobile phone and headphone use. Key initiatives include securing funding for red and green warning lights at 75 high-risk sites, closing approximately 114 low-use level crossings, deploying Supplementary Audible Warning Devices (SAWD), and introducing a new passive level crossing layout featuring yellow gates, white stop lines, and fenced standing zones.
In addition to these measures, the US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) highlighted the importance of also assessing pedestrian automatic gates, chicanes, and humped crossing to reduce pedestrian incidents and collisions with lorries.
Human factors: risks of levels crossings on low-frequency lines
ProRail (Netherlands) presented counterintuitive safety research regarding passive level crossings on low train-frequency freight lines, such as in the Rotterdam harbour area. Analysis revealed that people who regularly use a level crossing on a low-frequency line eventually believe that there will never be a train, meaning they develop a lower risk perception and stop paying attention when using the crossing. Infrastructure managers are incorporating qualitative risk assessments to evaluate human factors on low-frequency routes where traditional volume-based risk models may underestimate the true level of risk.
Enforcement, technological advancements, and international standards
- Enforcement: The British Transport Police presented its “Project Falcon” drone operations and dedicated crossing officers to address trespassing, infrastructure interference, and risky behaviours.
- Behavioural research: The University of Zagreb showcased how eye-tracking glasses and traffic simulators can be used to assess what people are paying attention to when they approach a crossing.
- UIC Frameworks: UIC announced that the consolidated International Railway Solution (IRS) on level crossing safety will be published by early 2027, while a sub-working group will update the 2022 “Best practice for level crossing risk assessment” to emphasise design and human factors.
Looking ahead
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to sharing cross-border test data on crossing designs and research on risk profiles of children and young people. The meeting concluded with announcements for the upcoming UIC Suicide Prevention Webinar planned for 3 November 2026 and the 2027 ILCAD and TRESPAD international conferences, scheduled for 2-4 June 2027 in Porto, Portugal.
On 29 October, Network Rail offered the UIC GLCN and International Railway Safety Network (IRSN) members the opportunity to participate in technical visits to see different types of level crossings in East Suffolk and enjoy a scenic riverside walk past some of Woodbridge’s best-known heritage.
On 30 October, a second group, the IRSN meeting, convened at RSSB. The IRSN, chaired by Guillaume Foeillet (SNCF), facilitates secure sharing of information regarding international railway safety. Representatives from various companies in Europe, Japan and North America presented their organisations’ safety responsibilities and priorities, discussed accidents, incidents, safety performance and indicators.
The UIC would like to thank RSSB and Network Rail for welcoming both groups and for their outstanding hospitality.
