AIB finland:Layout 1 19/5/08 11:35 Page 3
NORTHERN EUROPE PROFILE: ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD OF FINLAND
the vehicle made a crucial mistake (e.g.
did not observe, continued without
stopping), but the chain of events
nevertheless began much earlier. Most of
the accidents took place at unprotected
level crossings. In such crossings,
responsibility for the safe crossing has
been left solely to the driver.
From the statistics and other
documentation of VR and RHK, we found
out that of the 818 accidents that occurred
over the period between 1991 and 2004,
most cases (78%) took place at
unprotected level crossings.
Approximately 106 accidents (13%)
occurred at half barrier level crossings,
while 74 accidents (9%) occurred at
Figure 3: The number of level crossing accidents in Finland, other Nordic countries, UK and Canada
crossings with light and sound warning
in 1991–2005. systems. Of the total level crossings in
accidents. We found out, for example,
from comparisons of causes (see Figure 4)
and other facts which existed in level
crossing accidents (see Figure 5 and 6 on
pages 46 and 47).
‘‘In Finland, the highest
ratio of accidents occurs
at unprotected level
crossings’’
As a summary of all fatal level
crossing accidents investigated by VALT, it
should be noted that several factors were
Figure 4: Immediate risk factor for car driver in fatal level crossing, other crossing and other traffic
simultaneously at the background of an
accidents in Finland in 1991–2004. In diagram: Hv = observation error, Ev = anticipation and
accident. Their combined effect made the
assessment error, Tt = knowingly running into the situation, Vv = driving with disregard for the
hazard, Av = errors in road vehicle handling, Tk = change in capacity to act, M = other.
accident possible. Ultimately, the driver of
place over the review period, an average
of 79.7% were unprotected, 17.8% had
half-barrier and 2.5% were equipped with
light and sound warning systems.
Therefore, there were proportionally more
accidents at level crossings with light and
sound warning signals than at half-barrier
level crossings.
In Finland, the highest ratio of
accidents occurs at unprotected level
crossings. In other countries, including
those with a high number of level
crossing accidents, accidents are more
common at protected level crossings. It is
Figure 5: The speed limit on road in fatal level crossing accidents in Finland in 1991–2004.
likely that such crossings also have heavy
46 EUROPEAN RAILWAY REVIEW
l
ISSUE 3
l
2008
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116