Circular No. 11/2018/TT-BGTVT on common bridges and traffic in the common bridge area

CIRCULAR

Regulations on common bridges and traffic in the area of common bridges

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Pursuant to the Railways Law pursuant to Resolution No. 06/2017/QH14 dated June 16, 2017;

On the basis of Decree No. 12/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 10, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

At the proposal of the Director of the Infrastructure Structure Department and the Director General of the Vietnam Railway Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular stipulating regulations on common bridges and traffic in the area of common bridges.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates regulations on common bridges and traffic in the area of common bridges.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals involved in ensuring security, order, management, exploitation of common bridges, and persons participating in traffic in the area of common bridges.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. Common bridge barrier is a barrier operated by common bridge guards.

2. Common bridge protection system includes structures and equipment aimed at protecting traffic safety and preventing accidents in the area of common bridges, including: common bridge barriers; fixed posts and fences; road markings; railway and road signs; signal lights and electric bells; signal poles and other related equipment.

3. The area of common bridges is defined by the entire structural components of the bridge and underpass, and the management scope extending from the inner edge of the abutment (adjacent to the beam head) outward on each side:

a) For railways: up to the bridge protection signal pole (including the signal pole itself) or 10 meters (m) where there is no bridge protection signal pole;

b) For roads: up to the common bridge barrier (including the barrier itself) or 10 meters (m) where there is no barrier.

Chapter II

STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF COMMON BRIDGES

Section 1

REQUIREMENTS FOR STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF COMMON BRIDGES
COMMON BRIDGES

Article 4. Requirements for structures and equipment in the area of common bridges

1. Compliance with technical standards and standards applicable to each type of structure and equipment as prescribed by laws on construction and laws on standards and technical regulations.

2. Structures and equipment must be fully installed and maintained in good technical condition, stable operation, safety, and accident prevention throughout the exploitation and use of common bridges.

Article 5. Requirements for bridge decks

1. Bridge decks must meet the technical requirements of the road grade and be consistent along the railway section.

2. On common bridges, within the main rail track, auxiliary rails or gaps between rails must be placed according to the national technical standard for railway operation.

Article 6. Requirements for road surfaces in the area of common bridges

1. Road surfaces on common bridges must meet corresponding technical standards for the bridge deck structure and ensure consistency with the road grade of the two ends of the common bridge, and ensure smoothness for vehicles entering and exiting the common bridge.

2. Road surfaces leading to common bridges, where they meet railways, must comply with current technical requirements for level crossings.

Article 7. Bridge guard houses and equipment arranged in bridge guard houses

1. At each end of a common bridge, there must be a guard house for bridge guards to control traffic, which must meet the following conditions:

a) The location and windows of the guard house must be arranged so that when sitting inside, the bridge guard can clearly see people, vehicles, or obstacles on the bridge; and clearly see the approach road sections of both the railway and road;

b) The guard house must not obstruct the view of traffic controllers on both the railway and road; the nearest part of the guard house must be at least 3.5 meters (m) away from the outermost rail and at least 3.5 meters (m) away from the outer edge of the road surface; the floor of the guard house must be at least as high as or higher than the bridge deck, surrounded by guardrails; the minimum area of the guard house is 4 square meters (m2).

2. Each bridge guard house must be equipped with all necessary devices and must function properly, specifically as follows:

a) Telephones for communication with the nearest stations and between the two bridge guard houses;

b) Equipment to control the common bridge barriers;

c) Equipment to control road signals;

d) Equipment to control railway signals;

đ) Automatic notification equipment to alert bridge guards when trains are approaching the common bridge;

e) Equipment capable of recording and storing communications between train dispatchers and bridge guards;

g) Clocks;

h) Other equipment serving traffic control in the area of common bridges.

3. For bridge guard houses on dedicated railways with train speeds of 30 kilometers per hour (km/h) or less, the arrangement of communication equipment is decided by the owner of the dedicated railway but must ensure sufficient information for bridge guards to know when trains are approaching the common bridge.

Article 8. Provisions on common bridge barriers

1. In the area of common bridges at both ends of the road section, a barrier arm or gantry with a guard must be placed to prevent vehicles and road traffic participants from entering the bridge when a train arrives. Common bridge barriers must be placed 06 meters away from the outermost rail edge. In cases where terrain limitations exist, the barriers shall not violate the adjacent architectural limits of the railway as stipulated in the National Technical Regulations on Railway Operation.

2. At each location where common bridge barriers are installed as provided for in Clause 1 of this Article, a minimum of 02 barriers must be used to block each lane on the road leading to and from the common bridge to ensure flexible and orderly traffic operations for road traffic vehicles according to each lane and to minimize traffic congestion in the common bridge area.

3. Common bridge barriers must be fully closed at least 02 minutes and no more than 05 minutes before the train reaches the bridge to ensure that there are no people, road traffic vehicles, or other obstacles on the bridge.

4. Technical requirements and procedures for operating common bridge barriers are specified in Appendix 1 attached to this Circular.

Article 9. Principles of operation of signaling and signal systems

1. In the area of common bridges, the signaling and signal systems on the railway and road leading to the common bridge must operate and display according to the provisions of the National Technical Regulations on Railway Signals and the current National Technical Regulations on Road Signaling.

2. In the state without trains on the common bridge:

a) The railway protection signal light is in the closed state (red light indicating prohibition of train passage through the bridge);

b) The road signal is in the open state (green light indicating permission for road traffic vehicles to pass through the bridge);

c) The common bridge barrier is in the open state (permitting road traffic vehicles to pass through the bridge).

3. In the state with trains approaching the common bridge:

a) The road signal is in the closed state (red light indicating prohibition of road traffic vehicles from entering the bridge);

b) The common bridge barrier is in the closed state (prohibiting road traffic vehicles from entering the bridge);

c) The railway protection signal light is in the open state (green light indicating permission for trains to pass through the bridge). The condition for opening the railway protection signal is that the road signal is in the closed state, the common bridge barrier is in the closed state, and there are no obstructions on the bridge.

4. After the train has left the bridge, the equipment operates in the following sequence:

a) The railway protection signal light closes;

b) The road signal opens;

c) The common bridge barrier opens.

Section 2

SIGNALING AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS ON THE RAILWAY IN
THE COMMON BRIDGE AREA

Article 10. Traffic Signs

1. On the railway, within the common bridge area, the following traffic signs must be arranged:

a) A sign requiring the locomotive to sound its horn before entering the common bridge;

b) A sign indicating the maximum permitted speed.

2. The position and specifications of the signs follow the National Technical Regulations on Railway Signals.

Article 11. Railway Protection Signals

1. Railway protection signals must be placed on both sides of the railway leading to the common bridge.

2. The placement, operation, and measures for handling when the railway protection signal fails are carried out according to the National Technical Regulations on Railway Operation and the National Technical Regulations on Railway Signals.

3. Signal devices and bridge protection devices that operate electrically must be centrally controlled at the bridge watchtower. In cases where non-centralized control devices are used, they must be reviewed and decided upon by the competent authority as follows:

a) The Ministry of Transport decides for common bridges on national railways;

b) The owner of dedicated railways decides for common bridges on dedicated railways.

4. Equipment must always be in good working condition and must be operable manually in case of sudden failure.

Section 3

SIGNALING AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS ON THE ROAD IN
THE COMMON BRIDGE AREA

Article 12. Road Markings

1. Road markings within the common bridge area must always maintain the following types:

a) Stop lines on lanes of the road. The position of the stop line, measured from the bridge barrier outward, must be at least 3 meters (m);

b) Warning lines near intersections with railways;

c) Lines dividing two-way traffic;

d) Edge lines of the road lane or lines separating motor vehicle lanes and non-motorized vehicle lanes, depending on the width of the non-motorized vehicle lane arranged within the common bridge area.

2. Signs within the common bridge area must always maintain the following types:

a) Stop signs;

b) Railway crossing signs suitable for the angle between the road and railway;

c) Maximum speed limit signs;

d) Prohibition signs (depending on standards and technical levels in the common bridge area).

3. Within the common bridge area, along both sides of the road, there must be guardrails to the position of the bridge barrier.

4. From the bridge barrier to a distance of at least 2.5 meters (m) from the railway, a fixed guardrail must be installed to prevent people and road traffic vehicles from crossing the barrier onto the bridge when the bridge barrier is closed.

5. The spacing between guardrails must be appropriate to the level of the road. Specifications for guardrails and fixed barriers must comply with national technical regulations on road markings.

6. Outside the common bridge area, signs for railway crossings with barriers must be placed on the road.

Article 13. Traffic Signals

1. Traffic signals must be installed on roads leading to the common bridge.

2. Traffic signals must be placed in positions that are not obstructed and 06 meters (m) before the bridge barrier or directly attached to the bridge barrier post.

3. Requirements for traffic signals

a) Two-color traffic signals (green and red) without flashing. Operation of traffic signals shall comply with the provisions of Article 9 of this Circular;

b) Light intensity and angle of light emission: The light intensity and angle of light emission of traffic signals must ensure that road traffic vehicle drivers can see the signal from a distance of 100 meters (m) or more; the red light of the traffic signal must not shine towards the railway;

c) Height of signal installation, size, shape, and other specifications of traffic signals according to national technical regulations on road markings.

Section 4

CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE COMMON BRIDGE AREA

Article 14. Signal Interconnection

Within the common bridge area, traffic signals for railways must be interconnected with traffic signals for roads to ensure that the signaling system operates synchronously and stably, ensuring road and railway traffic safety according to the following principles:

1. When the railway signal is in the open state, allowing trains to pass through the bridge, the road signals at both ends of the bridge must be in the closed state, prohibiting road traffic vehicles from entering the bridge.

2. When the road signal at one end of the bridge is in the open state, allowing road traffic vehicles to pass through the bridge, the railway signals at both ends of the bridge must be in the closed state, prohibiting trains from entering the bridge.

3. When the road signal at one end of the bridge is in the open state, allowing road traffic vehicles to pass through the bridge, the road signal at the other end of the bridge must be in the closed state, prohibiting road traffic vehicles from entering the bridge.

Article 15. Connection of Road Segments to and from Common Bridge

1. The road segments leading to and from the common bridge must be connected to the road system in the area to ensure smooth traffic flow for vehicles without congestion.

2. The connection of road segments leading to and from the common bridge with national highways shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Roads and the Law on Traffic.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL IN THE COMMON BRIDGE AREA

Article 16. Traffic on the Common Bridge Area

1. Participants in road traffic when traveling on the common bridge must comply with the provisions of the Railway Law, the Road Traffic Law, and implement the following regulations:

a) Prioritize railway traffic;

b) Observe the instructions of the common bridge gatekeepers and follow the road and railway signals and signs in the common bridge area.

2. When there is a stop signal (flashing red light, red flag, red sign, horn, bell ringing, barrier closed, instruction of the gatekeeper), all road traffic participants (including those with priority rights) must stop on the right side of their respective lanes before the "stop" line.

3. Vehicles without engines, pedestrians, and led animals must travel on the designated path on the bridge. It is not allowed for vehicles without engines, pedestrians, and led animals to enter the path reserved for other means of transportation.

4. When approaching the common bridge area, the train driver must:

a) Pay attention to observe the bridge area and signals within the common bridge area, strictly adhere to the regulations regarding railway signals in the common bridge area;

b) Sound the horn before entering the common bridge;

c) Quickly brake the train upon seeing a stop signal or encountering obstacles on the common bridge;

d) Implement other relevant regulations concerning signals and railway traffic rules as prescribed.

Article 17. Protection of the Common Bridge and Traffic Control in the Common Bridge Area

1. The common bridge must be protected. The common bridge area must be organized for traffic control to ensure traffic safety according to this Circular and related laws.

2. The protection and organization of traffic control in the common bridge area must be continuously maintained 24 hours a day.

3. The layout of the common bridge protection organization as stipulated in Appendix 2 attached to this Circular.

Article 18. Commanding Methods and Communication Between Bridge Gatehouses

1. The state-owned infrastructure enterprise or the owner of dedicated railways with common bridges shall base on the equipment and actual conditions of each bridge to establish commanding methods and communication between bridge gatehouses to control traffic on the bridge.

2. The commanding methods and communication must comply with the provisions of this Circular and ensure smoothness, safety, and prevent congestion and blockage of traffic in the common bridge area.

3. In all cases, it must be ensured that all traffic means inside the common bridge in the direction currently moving have completely exited the common bridge area before allowing traffic in the opposite direction to proceed.

Article 19. Handling Accidents and Obstacles on the Common Bridge

When accidents or obstacles occur on the bridge, the common bridge gatekeepers and traffic participants must proactively and promptly carry out the following tasks:

1. For traffic participants on the common bridge:

a) Timely notify the common bridge gatekeepers for handling;

b) Cooperate with the common bridge gatekeepers to resolve, assist victims, and quickly remove the obstacle-causing vehicle from the bridge.

2. For common bridge gatekeepers:

a) Protect the bridge according to the prescribed regulations to ensure safety;

b) Timely report to the railway stations on both sides to take safety measures while resolving the accident or obstacle;

c) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to resolve, assist victims, and quickly remove the obstacle-causing vehicle from the bridge.

Article 20. Responsibility for Ensuring Traffic Safety when Repairing Common Bridges

1. When repairing common bridges that affect road traffic and railway traffic, the construction unit shall be responsible for:

a) Reaching agreement with the national railway infrastructure business enterprise or the owner of dedicated railway common bridges, and the competent road management authority regarding the construction organization plan, traffic organization plan, and traffic safety measures;

b) Ensuring traffic safety and not causing congestion on roads or hindering road and railway traffic during the repair period.

2. In cases where it is necessary to block railways to serve construction works within the common bridge area, such actions must be approved by the national railway infrastructure business enterprise for common bridges on national railways; and by the owner of dedicated railway common bridges for common bridges on dedicated railways.

3. In cases where it is necessary to block roads to serve construction works within the common bridge area, such actions must be approved by the competent road management authority.

Chapter IV

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN COMMON BRIDGE ACTIVITIES AND PARTICIPATING IN TRAFFIC ON COMMON BRIDGES
RELATING TO COMMON BRIDGES, PARTICIPATION IN TRAFFIC ON
THE COMMON BRIDGE AREA

Article 21. Vietnam Railway Administration

Shall perform the tasks of the specialized state management agency for railways in managing and operating common bridges on national railways.

Article 22. Road Management Authority

1. Organizing the management, maintenance, and protection of road works and road signs outside the common bridge area related to common bridges.

2. Cooperating with local authorities to inspect and develop plans for repairing road works outside the common bridge area to ensure synchronization with technical levels and repairs and maintenance of works within the common bridge area.

3. Cooperating with the owner of common bridges on dedicated railways to inspect and develop plans for repairing works within the common bridge area on dedicated railways; deciding to convert common bridges into separate bridges on dedicated railways.

4. Having the right to request the national railway infrastructure business enterprise or the owner of dedicated railway common bridges to repair sections of bridge works and equipment related to roads within the common bridge area to ensure safe and convenient traffic on common bridges.

Article 23. People's Committees at all levels where there are common bridges

Shall be responsible for ensuring railway and road traffic order and safety in the common bridge areas within their jurisdiction according to the provisions of the Railway Law and the Road Traffic Law.

Article 24. National Railway Infrastructure Business Enterprises and Owners of Dedicated Railway Common Bridges

1. National railway infrastructure business enterprises and owners of dedicated railway common bridges shall be responsible for:

a) Managing and using, organizing the implementation of defense measures, and arranging guards and traffic control personnel in the common bridge area under their management;

b) Specifying the responsibilities of common bridge guard staff;

c) Organizing the connection of railway and road signals in the common bridge area under their management;

d) Implementing reporting systems on the management and operation of common bridges according to regulations of the Ministry of Transport on the management and maintenance of railway works;

đ) Implementing relevant regulations concerning the responsibilities of enterprises as stipulated in the Railway Law and this Circular.

2. National railway infrastructure business enterprises and owners of dedicated railway common bridges shall be responsible for traffic accidents on common bridges within their scope of responsibility.

3. Owners of dedicated railway common bridges shall be responsible for: Organizing the management and maintenance of works and equipment within the common bridge area; taking the lead and cooperating with the road management authority to inspect and develop plans for repairing works and equipment within the common bridge area and ensuring financial resources for the management and maintenance of common bridges they have invested in.

Article 25. Common Bridge Guards

1. Common Bridge Guards shall be responsible for:

a) Adhering to relevant provisions of the Railway Law, this Circular, and current laws;

b) Fulfilling responsibilities as prescribed by the enterprise operating national railway infrastructure, and the owner of dedicated railways with common bridges.

2. They shall have the responsibility to require traffic participants to comply with regulations when traveling on common bridges and their surrounding areas. They shall be responsible for managing traffic in these areas when signal lights are not functioning or giving incorrect signals, or when the bridge barriers are damaged.

3. They shall cooperate with competent authorities to handle violators according to regulations.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 26. Effective date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2018.

2. Circular No. 38/2012/TT-BGTVT dated September 19, 2012, of the Minister of Transport regarding the management and operation of common bridges shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 27. Transitional Provisions

In cases where projects are being developed or construction of road bridges to separate roads from common bridges is underway, the project investor must:

1. Invest in building new road bridges that are synchronized with the construction of roads at both ends of the existing bridges to completely separate them from the current common bridges.

2. Remove sections of roads leading up to the current common bridges after completing the new road bridges and roads at both ends of the bridges.

3. After acceptance and handover of the new road bridges and roads at both ends for operation, once conditions are met to separate from the common bridges, the project investor shall be responsible for:

a) Reporting to the enterprise operating national railway infrastructure and the Vietnam Railway Administration so that the Vietnam Railway Administration can propose to the Ministry of Transport to decide on converting the common bridge into a dedicated railway bridge;

b) Reporting to the owner of dedicated railways with common bridges so that the owner can propose to the competent road administration authority to decide on converting the common bridge into a dedicated railway bridge.

Article 28. Implementation Organization

The Director of the Office of the Ministry, the Inspector General of the Ministry, the Heads of Departments, the Directors of the Vietnam Highway Administration, the Vietnam Railway Administration, the General Director of the Vietnam Railway Corporation, the Heads of related agencies, units, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular./.