UN AND INTL ORG PROMOTION

Different activities are funded through this subpart of 4 DASAF budget: ILCAD, the participation and works in the UNECE Group of Experts on safety at level crossings in Geneva, participation in the Global Level Crossing and Trespass symposium and different workshops/conferences on level crossing safety and finally the secretariat of the European Level Crossing Forum (ELCF).
We need this project because level crossing safety is a common issue to the railways worldwide, no matter the level of development, the language, the culture; because it is a common issue for two modes of transport (road and rail) ; incidents and collisions have a great impact on the railway business, on the image of the railways and on the society as a whole.
There are millions of near misses at level crossings around the world and still too many persons are being killed or injured at level crossings. Over 600 000 level crossings are estimated in the world (114 000 in the EU). There were 573 significant accidents (this figure is far greater on worldwide scale) and 369 fatalities and 339 severe injuries at level crossings in the EU in 2012 (according to ERA).
Because the numbers are relatively low compared to accidents on the roads (1% in Europe), not enough priority is given by the road sector and policy makers to improving safety. Collisions and fatalities at level crossings in Europe (at least) represent 29% of all collisions and fatalities on European railways (second category after trespassers).
This is why the International Union of Railways, the railway community, road sector organisations, European Institutions and the UN are committed to raising awareness about the risks, improving technology and changing behaviour.
It benefits to many countries involved in ILCAD (43 in the ILCAD 2015 edition and this in different sectors). Among other activities financed by this budget, ILCAD represents a small part but gives a very positive image of the railways towards the public and the m