Development of Safety Devices.

The Railway Department has set aside a certain amount of land from the area formerly occupied by the old Railway Workshops. The effect of this has been to improve the view of the line at the crossing. In addition to this, it is believed that the new automatic flashing light warning signals, of improved design and placed in a better locality, will produce at the crossing conditions so favourable in regard to warning that there will be no real danger to any road user who exercises a reasonable standard of care when using the crossing.

On the Wellington side of the crossing the flashing lights are three, placed in a triangular form above the six-foot standard. The upper light will flash in unison with one of the lower lights. All the lights from this warning signal show along the road towards Wellington. The lower pair shine directly on the road, while the upper light is directed at a slightly different angle from the lower pair, and is so pointed that it will indicate in the direction of road vehicles when they are swinging at the bend to take the crossing.

On the four lamp standard on the other side of the crossing the upper pair of lamps shine northwards towards Lower Hutt. The lower pair point along the sea-front road. The lamps in each pair of these are 2ft. 6in. apart.

As each of these red lights shines alternately for about one second and is synchronised with its mate in such a way that one light of each pair is always showing, there will be a very definite and clearly distinguishable red light showing along every road approach to the crossing whenever the crossing is obstructed or is about to be obstructed by a train. All the lights are effectively hooded to ensure and enhance visibility by day as well as by night, and they are at the height which puts them in the direct line of vision of approaching road vehicles.