Context
- Indian Railways is deploying AI-powered, solar-powered CCTV surveillance systems at non-interlocked level crossing (LC) gates to strengthen real-time monitoring and prevent accidents.
What is a Level Crossing?
A level crossing is a place where a railway track intersects a road or pathway at the same level, rather than through an overbridge or underpass.
Types
- Manned Level Crossing: Operated and monitored by railway staff/gateman.
- Unmanned Level Crossing: No railway staff is stationed at the crossing.
- Interlocked Level Crossing: The gate is integrated with the railway signalling system, creating a safety interlock.
- Non-interlocked Level Crossing: The gate is not directly integrated with the signalling system.
Why are Non-Interlocked Crossings a Safety Concern?
- At a non-interlocked crossing:
- Train cleared to proceed → Gateman closes & locks gate → Gateman confirms closure → Station Master relies on confirmation
- The major weakness is the absence of a direct technological mechanism for the Station Master to verify the physical closure of the gate.
About AI-Powered Surveillance System
The proposed system aims to bridge this monitoring gap through:
- Advanced CCTV cameras at non-interlocked level crossings.
- Live video feed to:
- Station Master of the nearest railway station
- Railway engineering control room
- Solar-powered operation, enabling deployment even where conventional power infrastructure is limited.
- Automated alerts when:
- Gate remains open.
- Gate is not closed within the prescribed time.
- Real-time monitoring to supplement the gateman’s confirmation.
Interlocking
- Interlocking is a railway safety arrangement designed to ensure that signals, points and other signalling equipment operate in a logically coordinated manner, preventing conflicting movements.
- At an interlocked level crossing, the signalling system is linked with the gate operation.
Basic principle:
- Gate not safely closed → Train movement should not receive the corresponding safe signal.
Q. With reference to railway level crossings, consider the following statements:
1. A manned level crossing is necessarily an interlocked level crossing.
2. Interlocking integrates level-crossing operation with railway signalling.
3. AI-enabled CCTV can provide real-time monitoring of non-interlocked crossings.
4. Kavach and level-crossing CCTV have identical primary functions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Statement 1 – Incorrect: A crossing can be manned but non-interlocked.
Statement 2 – Correct: Interlocking links gate operation with railway signalling.
Statement 3 – Correct: AI-enabled CCTV enables real-time monitoring and alerts.
Statement 4 – Incorrect: Kavach provides automatic train protection, while CCTV monitors level-crossing gates