Taiwan to Ban New Railway Level Crossings, Boost Safety Systems

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation is moving to prohibit the construction of new railway level crossings, a move aimed at enhancing safety and streamlining urban development. The proposed amendment to the "Standards and Cost Allocation Rules for the Establishment of Railway Grade Separation and Level Crossing Protective Facilities" aims to make new level crossings the exception rather than the rule.

This regulatory shift is accompanied by a significant investment from Taiwan Railways Administration, which will allocate NT$400 million to install obstacle detection systems across 397 level crossings nationwide. While 313 installations are already complete, the remaining 84 are slated for completion by 2031. These systems are designed to detect obstructions on the tracks, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

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The goal is to move towards zero accidents through relevant improvement projects.

The ministry cites the persistent risk of accidents at level crossings and the need for updated regulations after three decades. The initiative also aligns with broader infrastructure goals, such as the ongoing undergrounding and elevation of railway lines in urban areas like Tainan and Taoyuan. These projects aim not only to improve safety but also to prevent railways from fragmenting city development and to ease traffic flow.

Currently, Taiwan has 415 level crossings, with approximately 350 located on main lines. Statistics from 2023 to 2025 show a declining trend in accidents at these main line crossings, with 11, 9, and 7 incidents respectively. The railway authorities are striving for a zero-accident goal through these safety enhancements.

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Whether it is railway undergrounding or elevation, the biggest purpose is to prevent urban development from being cut off by railways and to make urban traffic smoother.