Vietnam Mandates Minimum 1km Spacing for Rural Railway Crossings

Vietnam's Ministry of Construction is preparing to establish new regulations for the spacing of railway crossings outside urban areas. Currently, existing regulations stipulate a minimum spacing of 500 meters for crossings outside cities. The ministry aims to increase this minimum to 1 kilometer or more, a move intended to significantly reduce the risk of railway accidents and further enhance operational safety. This new regulation is being developed in conjunction with efforts to manage legal risks in urban railway projects and new provisions concerning the principles of railway project implementation. Specifically, proposals to convert the section between Hanoi Station and Ngoc Hoi Station into an urban railway, as well as collaborations between Vietnam Railways and Thai Nguyen province to develop railway tourism, can be viewed within the context of this safety standard enhancement. Recently, an incident involving a barge getting stuck under the My Chanh railway bridge highlighted the urgent need for ensuring train operation safety. Expanding the spacing between crossings can serve as an effective measure to prevent such incidents from recurring. As Vietnam expands its railway network in line with economic growth, ensuring safety remains a crucial element for sustainable development. Information source: Nhan Dan