Padang-The increasing number of incidents at railway level crossings in West Sumatra (West Sumatera) has prompted Padang's Class II Railway Engineering Center (BTP) to prioritize safety.

According to data compiled by BTP Padang, there were 14 temperances between other vehicles and trains in 2022, rising to 30 in 2023.

"This is very worrying considering that the active railway line in West Sumatra is still relatively short, only 111 kilometers, but tempering often occurs," said Head of BTP Padang Endang Setiawan in a statement.

The highest causeof temperance is that there are still many unauthorized crossings that the community purposefully opens with no guard present.

"In addition, there are still many people who do not obey the rules of traffic by not giving precedence to train travel while giving precedence to train travel is regulated in Article 124 of Law No. 23 of 2007 concerning Railways and Article 114 of Law No. 22/2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation," he added.

Like the temperance that occurred recently in the Lubuk Buaya region, one of the people parked a car near the railroad track, causing a temper flare when the train passed.

"This is very dangerous, especially since cars are not supposed to stop on collector roads. People must be more aware by maintaining a safe distance when around the train tracks because safety is in our own hands," he added.

He contends that raising community awareness of public safety is essential to ensure that newly constructed facilities are not wasted efforts. This can be achieved by offering socialization and guidance.

To provide you with some information, BTP Padang has implemented several safety measures, such as installing CLCs at level crossings in 2023, constructing Direct Crossing Path (JPL) Posts at multiple locations (up to 27 posts and crossing doors in 2022 and 7 posts in 2021), and constructing 30 Early Warning Systems (EWS) as part of a pilot project for railroad safety systems in West Sumatra.

Moreover, 6.784 meters of inspection (collection) roads, 7.302 meters of ornamental fences, 8.155 meters of guard rail stakes, and a Pedestrian and Motorcycle Bridge (JPO / M) in Pasar Usang were built.

Not to mention, 191 of the 261 unregistered crossings were closed (with sterilization); 20 crossings had JPL and crossing gate construction handled; 30 crossings had EWS construction handled; and 4 bridges (BH) across Padang-Pariaman were upgraded (BH 52 KM 8+773 (20 M Span), BH 15 KM 45+876 (15 M Span), BH 35 KM 51+204 (12 M Span), and BH 36 KM 52+468 (12 M Span). (RAH)

Public Relations of Padang Railway Engineering Center