Where paths cross

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Where paths cross

We are used to the fact that railway tracks intersect at the level of bridges or overpasses, but there is another intersection. It's called deaf.
Deaf intersection - a single-level intersection of railway tracks, arranged without arrows, which excludes the transition of rolling stock from one track to another. In this case, the tracks forming a blind intersection can have different gauges.

Blind intersections are a source of potential danger, as train collisions are possible at them, therefore, passage through blind intersections is regulated by railway signaling. It is also possible for trains to derail.

Blind intersections are quite common in the US. This is due to the fact that when crossing railways owned by different companies, there was no need to ensure the possibility of trains moving from one track to another.

There are blind intersections between railway and tram tracks, although modern regulations prohibit them. There are also blind crossings on the paths of city trams.

Blind crossings are designed to provide the possibility of crossing rail tracks at the same level. The advantage of such structures is the possibility of constructing inexpensive compact intersections of paths.
without the construction of special flyovers and overpasses. The disadvantage of blind intersections is the relatively low speed of trains on them and the need for special measures to prevent possible collisions of trains when passing along tracks adjacent to a blind intersection or directly along it. Blind intersections are used at stations and on the tracks of industrial enterprises. Due to the shortcomings of blind intersections associated with ensuring the safety of train traffic, the use of these structures on the main railway transport is limited.
They are usually used where it is necessary to ensure the intersection of paths within small areas.