Plans are underway to implement an automatic train protection (ATP) system at the Makkasan level crossing on Asok-Din Daeng Road. This critical safety upgrade aims to prevent future tragedies, following a devastating train-bus collision in May that claimed several lives.
Enhanced Safety Measures for Makkasan Level Crossing
According to Deputy Permanent Secretary Jirapong Theppitak, the ATP system will be installed within six months, with a target completion by the end of the current year. This advanced system is designed to automatically halt approaching trains if the crossing’s traffic barriers are not fully deployed. Furthermore, the ATP can integrate with nearby traffic signals to ensure the roadway is clear before a train arrives.
The Makkasan crossing is slated to receive this crucial braking system as part of immediate changes intended to avert a repeat of the horrific May 16 incident. That collision resulted in the deaths of eight bus passengers and left approximately 30 others injured.
Broader Safety Initiatives
Beyond the ATP installation, other urgent measures are being implemented to bolster safety at level crossings. These include improving communication channels between supervisors at railway crossings operated by the State Railway of Thailand and Bangkok’s traffic police. The public will also receive prominent warnings advising against ignoring or attempting to circumvent level crossing barriers.
Additionally, strict directives will be issued to passenger bus drivers, mandating that they do not stop on a level crossing. Train operators will undergo rigorous drug and alcohol testing. The May 16 accident was exacerbated by a passenger bus being stopped on the tracks due to traffic congestion, while the freight train driver tested positive for methamphetamine and cannabis use.
Long-Term Railway Development
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Transport is planning a significant infrastructure project that will elevate tracks along the Red Line train route. This initiative is expected to eliminate 18 level crossings within Bangkok. A similar nationwide project to elevate railway tracks is also planned under the broader double-track railway development program, aiming to eradicate level crossings across the country.
