The International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) is observed globally every year on June 5 to highlight the risks associated with level crossings, the points where roads and railway tracks intersect at the same level, and to encourage safer behaviour.
- The 17th edition of ILCAD was observed on 5 June 2025, following the observance of Trespass Prevention Awareness Day (TRESPAD) on 4 June 2025.
- ILCAD is spearheaded by the International Union of Railways (UIC) (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer in French), with active support from the global railway community.
2025 Conference:
i.In 2025, the ILCAD and TRESPAD launch conference was hosted by the United Kingdom (UK)-based Network Rail and the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) at the National Railway Museum in York, UK.
ii.The theme for 2025 is “Helping people make good decisions”, accompanied by the slogan “Safe decisions – every time.”
Note: This year’s conference aligns with the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway (Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened September 27, 1825).
Background:
i.ILCAD was originally launched as European Level Crossing Awareness Day on 25 June 2009, it covered 28 European countries aiming to reduce accidents at level crossings.
ii.Since 2009, the event has expanded globally under the leadership of UIC and is now observed annually by around 50 countries.
iii.In 2010, ILCAD became part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety initiative.
Risk Factors at Level Crossings:
i.Railway incidents at level crossings are primarily caused by a combination of user carelessness and infrastructure deficiencies.
ii.User-related factors include ignoring warning signals, trespassing, and other forms of reckless behaviour.
iii.Infrastructure-related issues involve unmanned crossings, poor lighting, and inadequate barricading, all of which increase the risk of accidents.
Note: According to the 2024 Safety Report by UIC, over 90% of fatalities on rail infrastructure involve trespassers or level-crossing users.
Efforts to Reduce Risks at Level Crossings:
To address these critical safety concerns, several preventive measures are being implemented globally and nationally:
i.Installation of Obstacle-Detection Technologies: These automated systems are designed to detect vehicles or pedestrians on railway tracks and prevent collisions.
ii.Use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) Traffic Lights: Bright and energy-efficient LED lights are being installed at crossings to improve visibility and raise awareness, especially during low-light conditions.
iii.Infrastructure Upgrades in India:
The Indian Railways has undertaken major infrastructure improvements by:
- Eliminating unmanned and manned level crossings in a phased manner
- Constructing Limited Height Subways (LHS),
- Building Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and
- Developing Road Under Bridges (RUBs) to provide safe passageways and avoid track-level conflicts.
About International Union of Railways (UIC):
Director General (DG) – François Davenne
Headquarters – Paris (France)
Founded – 1922
