AtgradeKreuzungen

AtgradeKreuzungen, commonly translated as at-grade crossings, are locations where a road and a railway or tram line cross at the same level. They differ from grade-separated crossings (overpasses or underpasses) where the two modes do not meet on the same plane. At-grade crossings may involve vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and trains, and occur in urban, suburban, and rural settings, including where light rail or tram lines intersect roads.

Protection and complexity vary. Unsignalized or passive crossings rely on road users to observe and yield, and they present higher risk. Many crossings employ active protection: warning devices such as flashing lights, bells, and audible alerts; and barriers or gates that close to prevent entry when a train is approaching. Some crossings include detectors to identify an approaching train and to control signals, as well as pedestrian or cyclist facilities such as footbridges or dedicated paths to reduce conflict.

Safety and operational effectiveness depend on factors such as train speed, track layout, traffic volume, visibility, and response times of protection systems. Regulatory frameworks and safety assessments guide the placement, upgrade, or removal of at-grade crossings, aiming to balance mobility, cost, and risk. In practice, many networks upgrade frequent or high-risk crossings to grade-separated solutions or implement enhanced protection measures rather than maintain unmanaged at-grade crossings.

Overall, at-grade crossings remain a common, cost-efficient solution where traffic levels and safety considerations permit, but they require robust protection, enforcement, and ongoing review to minimize the likelihood of collisions.