WHILE the deadly train-bus collision at Rama 9 – Asoke-Phetchaburi intersection last Saturday (May 16) has improved traffic behaviour at this site, violations continue with 58 road users being prosecuted for obstructing traffic yesterday (May 22), Amarin TV said today.
This TV station’s online news team surveyed Bangkok’s high-risk level crossings starting with this one where the tragic accident killed eight persons and injured 32 others and found that traffic management has been boosted to prevent a recurrence, with the police teaming up with Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in doing so.
Although road users are being more careful, traffic violations, particularly straddling railway tracks has not stopped especially during morning and evening rush hours. Altogether 226 people were prosecuted for obstructing traffic at this fatal accident site from Thursday to Friday (May 20-22).
Meanwhile, Ratchaprarop level crossing, where there is heavy traffic congestion at all times, is also being monitored as it is one of 19 high-risk ones out of a total of 71 in Bangkok.
This is a key location in the city centre, near the Pratunam intersection, with traffic flowing in from Victory Monument and Pratunam. Furthermore, road structures such as Airport Rail Link pillars obstruct the view, and the area is bottlenecked by the construction of the Orange Line MRT project.
The authorities have therefore implemented enhanced safety measures, increasing the number of personnel stationed at this level crossing by one. Supervisors, mechanics and locomotive inspectors have been instructed to closely watch train drivers and booth personnel. BMTA has also deployed personnel to monitor this high-risk area in shifts, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
An electric level crossing system is being used in inner Bangkok because an automatic system could increase the risk of accidents. However, at this location, additional metal barriers have been placed to stop vehicles in addition to the railway crossing gate.
Bangkok’s 19 high-risk level crossings are as follows:
Northern Line:
1/ Phetchaburi (Yomarat)
2/ Sri Ayutthaya (Saowani)
3/ Ratchawithi (Uthai)
Eastern Line:
4/ Rama VI (Uruphong)
5/ Phaya Thai (K.1)
6/ Ratchaprarop (K.1)
7/ Asoke – Din Daeng (K.1)
8/ Phetchaburi Uthai (Rama IX) (K.1)
Northern Line:
9/ Phet Phra Ram (K.1)
Eastern Line:
10/ Sukhumvit 71 (Ramkhamhaeng) (K.1)
11/ Srinakarin (Pattanakarn) (K.1)
Mae Nam Line:
12/ Phetchaburi Tat Mai (K.1)
13/ Sukhumvit (Ploenchit) (K.1)
14/ Rama IV (K.1)
Bangchak Oil Refinery Line
15/ Rama III (K.1) (Ratchadaphisek) Route 1
Rama VI Line
16/ Prachachuen Route 1
17/ Pracharat Route 1
Southern Route
18/ Charansanitwong Route 1
Wongwian Yai – Mahachai Route
19/ Ekachai – Khai Thale Route 1
Meanwhile there was a scare at Airport Rail Link’s Hua Mak station at around 3 p.m. today after a car caught fire and spread thick plumes of smoke nearby, JS100 Radio said, adding the blaze was quickly extinguished and investigation launched.
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This and Front Page – Bangkok’s road users are now more careful at level crossings but violations continue. Photos – Amarin TV
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