Railway crossing

The railway crossing at the end of our street has had some improvement work done. The old zig-zag gate has gone, replaced by an automatic barrier on each side of the tracks. The crossing is now a lot easier to manage for elderly residents and pram-pushing parents who can now make their way straight across in much less time than before.

The zig-zag gate not only presented a mobility challenge for some users but was easier for the more foolhardy to cross the tracks against warning signals that a train was coming. I often wondered why they did that and apart from lack of care and attention, I think it may have had to do with impatience with the klaxon that would sound for the duration of the coming and passing of the train. On the new crossing, the physical barrier does away with the need for a continuous warning sound and the klaxon only operates for the few moments it takes for the barrier to descend. Great for nearby homeowners who will certainly notice the difference.

The engineers obviously had safety and security high in mind when they designed the new layout. Surveillance cameras, four, scan the crossing so if any mishap were to occur then appropriate action could be taken. And there are still rules. Cyclists for example are instructed to dismount before crossing. Several, perhaps enjoying their liberation from the zig-zag gate, ignore the warning and pedal on through; an inconsideration of elderly crossers who find it intimidating.

Crossers are all in agreement, the new layout is a great improvement as long as it is used properly. Used properly? There you have it. Another improvement idea: Train for railway crossing.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Smartpass

Just the ticket!

Yes, I have got one! A senior citizen's travelcard.  It's called  a Smartpass and I am learning to be smart with it.  It can be used on buses and trains and I have begun organising  myself to synchronise with local timetables.
You can apply for the pass when you reach a "certain age" and so it has its good and not so good points. Among the latter is the digital confirmation that you are getting on a bit. Each ticket shows the pass's expiry date. I hope for many renewals!
When I decided to use it for the first time a couple of weeks ago, I made my way to the bus stop close to where I live.  Waiting for the bus to arrive, I thought I'm too young for one of these. At that moment a lorry pulled up in front of a nearby undertakers.  The driver was delivering coffins!! The lorry was full of them and I thought that a lot of smartpasses must have reached their expiry date!
I presented the pass to the bus driver and asked for a ticket.  That's not how it works. What you are supposed to do is to place your card on an electronic reader in front of the driver and say where you want to go. S/he then hits some keys, there's a "whirr" and you tear off a ticket.  The more practised travellers don't bother to take their cards from their wallets or purses. The driver's device is sophisticated enough to be able to read the data through the holder and distinguish your eligibility from all the other cards you have.  I haven't done that yet, preferring to show that I am new to all of this old stuff.
What strikes me most is the number of senior folks using the transport system.  The faces and personalities are becoming familiar and I sense their looks of recognition. Like the sensor reading through wallets I have picked up on the details of overheard conversations - visits to doctors, health centres and hospitals.  Stories of this and that ailment punctuated with coughs and sneezes and yes, the occasional funny stories and bursts of laughter. Characters.
Some close friends from younger days have got the smarts and joined this senior travel set.  We have plans to travel as a group to the furthest point on the rail network, get our lunch and return home. No doubt, other travellers will overhear a lot of sense. BUT, if talk turns to aches or pains and if anyone clears their throat,  I'll be asking, "Is that you coffin?"