On 16–17 October 2025, the 34th meeting of the Global Level Crossing Network (GLCN) was hosted by Translink in Belfast, UK.
A total of 37 participants from 14 countries took part, representing railway infrastructure companies, national safety authorities from Denmark and Portugal, universities, railway research centres, non-profit railway organisations, and road and rail infrastructure managers. Attendance was both in-person and online.
The meeting was officially opened by Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive of
Translink, and John Glass, Director of Infrastructure and Projects. GLCN Chair Allan Spence and Vice-Chair Gerard Pool, ProRail, then thanked Keith Pollock, GLCN member, and his colleagues Ian Morrow and Pauline Herbison for their excellent organisation of the meeting and technical visits. These included a user-worked level crossing and a pedestrian level crossing near Belfast. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the newly inaugurated Belfast Grand Central Station and bus station.
Topics of discussion
The group shared best practices on:
- Risk assessment methods
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Technical solutions
- Signage improvements
- User understanding of signage
- Safety enhancement through engineering, education, and enforcement
Engineering measures
- Obstacle detectors
- CCTV
- Unique identification numbers for level crossings
- Emergency phone numbers
- Improved visibility
- Upgrading of level crossings
Education & awareness
Target audiences include children, students, farmers, delivery companies, local authorities, and the general public.
Enforcement measures
Fines and prosecution for misusing level crossings.
Presentation highlights
- Ian Morrow, Head of Network Assurance at Translink, gave a presentation on the management of level crossings on the Northern Ireland Railways network since 1999, including improved identification of each level crossing for inspection and work purposes.
- Ben Simpson, Supervisor at Translink, shared his experience as a former train driver and current supervisor, highlighting the importance of staff reporting near misses and the impact of incidents on drivers.
- Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Manager at Translink, detailed data related to the 129 level crossings in Northern Ireland, including user-worked and public road crossings. He also shared information on risk assessments, education initiatives in schools and agricultural communities, logistics companies, and finally enforcement measures. He furthermore showcased different types of crossings including a user-worked crossing with a VAMOS system (red and green lights) and discussed a project involving the closure of two crossings (with a technical visit of the work being undertaken the day after the meeting).
- Frank Golden, Level Crossing Project Manager at the Irish Transport System (CIE), Republic of Ireland, described different types of crossings, including CCTV managed crossings, unattended user worked crossings with a stop and barriers. He shared details on trials at selected level crossings with redesigned signage for all users, in addition to the traditional steam locomotive symbol being replaced with an electric train, danger zones being painted red, and yellow stripes being painted to warn road users that they are approaching a level crossing. A VAMOS system with orange and red lights has also installed at some crossings. These upgrades aim to significantly reduce near misses.
- Virginie Taillandier, Technology and Innovation - Projects Department, SNCF Group, presented findings from a former SNCF study on a “Cognitive and behavioral approach to ITS at railway level crossings”.
- Sarouthan Sriranjan and Antoine Gavel, SNCF Réseau, shared results from a UIC survey on the use of obstacle detectors at level crossings.
- Dennis Zivkovic, Level Crossing Expert at ProRail, gave a demonstration of a ProRail cost-effectiveness tool.
- Niels Buch from the Danish NSA discussed the use of audible electronic signals at level crossings in Denmark.
- Vincent Godeau, Advisor Safety Project Management at INFRABEL, gave a presentation on the results of a UIC survey on the use of emergency signage at level crossings.
- Wende Corcoran, Vice President of Operational Lifesaver Inc., United States of America, provided an update on the “See Tracks? Think Train!” campaign, which took place across the USA, Canada, and Mexico during a dedicated week in September 2025. She also reported on the “Emergency Number Awareness Campaign” held in the USA in June 2025..
- Allan Spence, GLCN Chair, then delivered a summary of the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) and Trespass Awareness Day (TRESPAD) launch conferences, hosted by Network Rail and Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) at the Museum of Railways in York on 4-5 June 2025, followed by technical visits on 6 June.
- Isabelle Fonverne, UIC, presented a debrief on the ILCAD and TRESPAD 2025 campaigns, which achieved significant global engagement across both traditional and social media platforms.
ILCAD/TRESPAD 2026 – Planning ahead
- Save the dates:
- ILCAD: 9 June 2026
- TRESPAD: 10 June 2026
- Technical visits: 11 June 2026 (organised with support from SNCF Réseau)
- Both conferences will be launched at UIC Headquarters, Paris. Interpretation will be available in French and English.
- Sponsors will have the opportunity to exhibit their safety-related in the main hall of UIC
- Calls for papers, sponsorship, and registration will be published shortly.
ILCAD/TRESPAD campaigns
- Target audience: The campaigns will address the general public.
- Proposed Slogan: “A year has passed, but the danger has not.”
- UIC will produce communication materials, including posters, to promote safe behaviour at level crossings and around tracks for both campaigns.
- CCTV footage of near misses will be made available to participating countries for both campaigns.
- Further information will soon be available at:
Other dates
- Next GLCN Meeting + technical visits: 11–12 March 2026 in Copenhagen, hosted by DSB and the Danish NSA
