Circular No. 38/2012/TT-BGTVT on the management and operation of shared bridges

CIRCULAR

Provisions on management and exploitation of shared bridges

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Pursuant to the Railway Law dated June 14, 2005;

According to Decree No. 109/2006/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2006 of the Government detailing and implementing some articles of the Road Law; Decree No. 11 BASED ON THE CIVIL SERVANT LAW ON JANUARY 1,

Decree No. 109/2006/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain articles of the Law on Roads Railway Traffic Control Department;

Pursuant to Decree No. 51/2008/NĐ-CP dated April 22, 2008 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 Department and the Director of the Vietnam Railway Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular on management and exploitation of shared bridges,

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the work of managing and exploiting shared bridges used jointly between national railway, dedicated railway, and road.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals both within and outside Vietnam involved in the work of managing, exploiting, maintaining shared bridges, and participants in traffic within the area of shared bridges.

Article 3. Shared Bridges and Areas of Shared Bridges

1. A shared bridge is a bridge with a deck used jointly by rail vehicles and road vehicles.

2. The area of a shared bridge includes the entire structural works of the bridge, underpass, and the management scope extending from the inner edge of the abutment (adjacent to the end of the girder) outward on each side:

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

b) For roads: up to the barrier arm, bridge gate (including the barrier arm, bridge gate); or 10 meters (m) where there is no barrier arm, bridge gate.

Article 4. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Infrastructure Management Unit of RailwaysFor power plants invested under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, n is determined according to the operational period of the power plant stipulated in the BOT contract. the manager of railway infrastructure

1. Responsible for managing, operating, and maintaining works and equipment in the area of shared bridges according to Clause 2 of Article 3 of this Circular; ensuring that components of the bridge and equipment in the area of shared bridges operate in accordance with technical, safety, and convenience requirements for people and vehicles passing through the bridge via rail and road.

2. Responsible for controlling traffic on shared bridges.

3. Within three months from the date this Circular takes effect, the infrastructure management unit of railways shall be responsible for drafting and promulgating detailed rules on organizing the management and operation of shared bridges to ensure safe traffic through shared bridges.

4. When repairing roads, bridges, or performing other works in the area of shared bridges affecting road traffic, it must obtain the agreement of the road management unit at the provincial level or higher for roads managed by the General Department of Highways, the Department of Transportation for national highways entrusted and roads directly managed by localities, or the owner for dedicated roads.

5. Prepare annual plans and budgets for managing and maintaining shared bridges and submit them to the competent authority for approval.

Article 5. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Road Management Unit

1. Coordinate with the infrastructure management unit of railways and relevant agencies in the maintenance and repair of the road section in the area of shared bridges; inspect the road section and traffic conditions on roads according to plan or unexpectedly.

2. Have the right to request the infrastructure management unit of railways to repair components of the bridge and related equipment in the area of shared bridges to ensure safe and convenient traffic on shared bridges.

Chapter II

BRIDGE DECK AND ROAD INTO THE AREA OF SHARED BRIDGES; SIGNALING SYSTEMS AND OTHER RELATED EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF SHARED BRIDGES

SIGNALING SYSTEMS AND OTHER RELATED EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF SHARED BRIDGES

Article 6. Surface of the Bridge and Road Leading to the Shared Bridge

1. The surface of the bridge and the road leading to the shared bridge must comply with the technical standards of the road grade and ensure uniformity along the railway and road sections. The road surface leading to the shared bridge, where it meets the railway, must be constructed according to the current level crossing technical standards.

2. On the shared bridge, within the railway track, protective rails or rail gaps must be installed using other structures; the rail gap must be at least 75 millimeters (mm) wide and no more than 90 millimeters (mm) wide, with a depth of at least 45 millimeters (mm); the protective rail or rail gap structure must be at the same height as the main rail, with a deviation not exceeding 5 millimeters (mm).

Article 7. Signage and Signals on Railways

1. On railways, in areas of shared bridges, the following signage and signals must be arranged:

a) Protective color light signal;

b) Horn warning sign;

c) Maximum speed limit sign.

2. For locations where protective signals do not ensure continuous visibility of 800 meters (m), advance warning signals for protective color light signals must be arranged.

Article 8. Signage, Signals, and Equipment on Roads

On roads leading to shared bridges and in areas of shared bridges, the following signage, signals, and equipment must be arranged according to regulations:

1. Intersection warning signs between railway and road with barriers;

2. Prohibition signs (as per the standards and technical grades in the area of the shared bridge);

3. Minimum distance between two vehicles sign;

4. Maximum speed limit sign;

5. Other required signage and signals;

6. Barrier or road gate (if applicable).

Article 9. Guard Shacks at Shared Bridges

1. At each end of the shared bridge, there must be a guard shack to control traffic, which must meet the following conditions:

a) The position and windows of the guard shack must be arranged so that when sitting inside the guard shack, the guard can clearly see people and vehicles or obstacles on the bridge; and clearly see the road and railway sections leading to the bridge;

b) The guard shack must not obstruct the view of the railway and road traffic controllers; the nearest part of the guard shack must be at least 3.5 meters (m) away from the outermost rail and the edge of the road; the floor of the guard shack must be at the same level or higher than the bridge surface, surrounded by guardrails; the area of the guard shack must be at least 4 square meters (m²);²).

2. In each guard shack at shared bridges, the following equipment must be fully available and ready for operation:

a) Telephone for communication with the nearest two stations;

b) Light, bell, and telephone for communication between the two bridge-end guard shacks;

c) Equipment to control the barrier or road gate;

d) Equipment to control road signals;

e) Equipment to control railway signals;

f) Desk clock.

Chapter III

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION AND DISPLAY OF SIGNALS IN THE AREA OF SHARED BRIDGES

The system of signage and signals on railways and roads leading to shared bridges and in the area of shared bridges must operate and display according to the national technical standards for railway signals and national technical standards for road signage currently in effect.

Chapter III PROVISIONS ON INSPECTION

Article 11. Principles of Signal Opening and Closing

1. In the state without trains passing through the shared bridge:

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

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

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

2. In the state with trains approaching the shared bridge:

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

b) The road barrier is in the closed state (prohibiting road traffic from passing over the bridge);

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

3. After the train has passed the bridge, the equipment operates sequentially as follows:

c) The road barrier opens.

a) The railway protection signal light closes;

b) The road signal opens;

c) Level crossing barrier open.

Article 12. Time for Setting Up Barriers and Giving Signals

Road barriers must be set up at a time ensuring that there are no people, traffic vehicles, or other obstacles on the bridge at least 2 (two) minutes before the train arrives at the bridge, but not more than 5 (five) minutes.

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL IN THE COMMON BRIDGE AREA

Article 13. Traffic in the Common Bridge Area

1. In the common bridge area, railway traffic vehicles have priority to proceed first.

2. When approaching the common bridge area, the train driver must pay attention to observe the bridge area and signals within the common bridge area, comply with regulations regarding sounding the horn and speed.

3. When the road signal is in the closed state (barrier closed, red light, red flag, "stop" sign), road traffic participants must stop on their respective lanes and maintain a distance of 1.0 meter (m) from the road barrier; when given the signal to cross the bridge (barrier open, green light, yellow flag, "one-way passage" sign), road traffic participants may proceed.

4. Primitive vehicles, pedestrians, and led livestock must travel on the specific lanes designated for each bridge.

Heavy and bulky cargo-carrying primitive vehicles traveling slowly (such as three-wheeled trucks, animal-drawn carts, herds of led livestock) are only allowed to cross the bridge during specified hours and must ensure that the livestock and these vehicles are off the bridge at least 10 (ten) minutes before the train arrives.

5. Parking and stopping vehicles, turning around vehicles, and overtaking are prohibited in the common bridge area.

6. Trains are prohibited from stopping on the bridge except in cases of obstruction, accidents, or with permission from the infrastructure management unit of the railway, agreement from the road management unit at the provincial level or higher for roads managed by the Vietnam Highway Administration, the Department of Transport for entrusted national highways and roads directly managed by localities, or the owner for dedicated roads.

Article 14. Handling Accidents and Obstacles on the Common Bridge

When an accident or obstacle occurs on the bridge, traffic participants on the bridge or present at the accident site must immediately report to the bridge guard staff and relevant authorities to coordinate resolution, assist victims, and quickly remove the obstacle causing the disruption from the bridge.

Article 15. Traffic Control on the Common Bridge

1. The organization of traffic control on the common bridge is the responsibility of the infrastructure management unit of the railway and must be continuously carried out day and night.

2. Traffic control on the common bridge is jointly implemented by the common bridge guards and additional forces, with the common bridge guards bearing primary responsibility.

3. At least one bridge guard must be stationed at each end of the bridge; in special cases, to ensure traffic safety, at least two guards must be stationed; the working hours of each guard shall not exceed 12 (twelve) hours per day-night period.

Article 16. Duties and Authorities of the Bridge Guard

1. Ensuring road and railway traffic safety in the common bridge area.

2. Controlling traffic so that vehicles and people crossing the bridge can do so safely, quickly, conveniently, and in accordance with regulations.

3. Cooperating with relevant agencies to resolve accidents, obstructions, and damages affecting road and railway traffic safety in the common bridge area.

4. Having the authority to compel traffic participants to comply with regulations when crossing the common bridge and in the common bridge area; having the authority to prepare records and request competent authorities to handle violators according to regulations.

Article 17. Command methods and communication between bridge guard stations Number of employees and workers directly involved in the joint venture and association activities of the organization over the last 03 yearsinterlocking between bridge stations

1. Infrastructure management units of railway structures shall base on equipment and actual conditions of each bridge to stipulate command methods and communication between bridge guard stations to control traffic on the bridge.

2. Command methods and communication must comply with the provisions of this Circular and ensure safety principles, facilitating vehicles passing through the bridge.

3. Communication between bridge guard stations must ensure that vehicles inside the bridge currently moving out completely exit the bridge before lifting the barrier on the opposite side and vice versa, ensuring that road traffic moves in one direction only.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 18. Effective datei ADJUSTMENT

This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2013, replacing Decision No. 356-QĐ/PC dated March 22, 1982 of the Minister of Transport on the issuance of the General Bridge Regulations.

Article 19. Implementation

1. The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments, Heads of Bureaus under the Ministry of Transport, Directors of the Vietnam Highway Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Railway Administration, General Directors of the Vietnam Railway Corporation, Directors of Transport Departments: Lao Cai, Hai Phong, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Quang Binh, Dong Nai; Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, organizations and individuals shall promptly reflect them in writing to the Ministry of Transport for study and appropriate amendments./.