The Effect of Level Crossing on the Railroad Line Capacity

Abstract

Changing the railway line from single track to double track will increase the railway line capacity, which means there is an additional number of train trips. Even though it has become a double track, the train trip still passes through a level crossing. If the number of train trips increases, it will result in more frequent level crossing gates being closed, or it can also result in more extended gate closing times. When the level crossing gate is closed, there will be a road traffic conflict; the traffic will stop and form a queue. The more often the level crossing gate is closed, the more road traffic conflicts will increase. By using the Indonesian method for calculating the railway line capacity, the change from single track to double track will increase the railway line capacity by 2.35 times. However, this calculation has not considered the existence of a level crossing, so this study aims to determine the amount of the railway line capacity that can be achieved, which is influenced by the level crossing without significantly increasing road traffic conflicts. The research method was carried out by taking data on train trips and road traffic at the level crossing that exists today, which is still a single line, then simulating the conditions when it has turned into a double track. Simulations are carried out by adding the number of train trips according to the double track capacity. Simulation results showed that at the level crossing, the factor affecting the increase in the railway capacity line is the headway time between the closing of the level crossing gate. For headway time values below or equal with 2.5 minutes, the line capacity increases by 1.5 times the single-line capacity. As for the headway time value above 2.5 minutes, the line capacity increases to 2.35 times the capacity of the single line. From this research, it can be concluded that the level crossing affects increasing the capacity of the railway line. To achieve maximum railroad capacity, the headway time between closing the level crossing gate must be more significant than 2.5 minutes.