FAL, between Modugno and Altamura, safer level crossings with the new PAI-PL laser sensor system

Ferrovie Appulo Lucane continues to invest in railway safety to guarantee users increasingly modern and technological public transport services. Thanks to the continuous and customary synergy with the Puglia Region and the MIT, the Company is implementing a project funded with 2.2 million euros of national funds for the installation of a modern laser sensor system at 7 level crossings on the Modugno-Altamura section out of the 16 total on the Bari-Matera Sud line. Since Monday, April 20, the PAI-PL system (Automatic Supplementary Protection for Level Crossings) has already been active at 3 level crossings: one in Grumo Appula (km 21+514) and two others in Altamura (km 46+859 and km 47+430); by next July it will be installed at 4 other level crossings, 3 in Modugno (at km 10+943, km 11+828, km 12+880) and 1 in Palo del Colle (km 14+545). The systems (designed and built by Eredi Giuseppe Mercuri S.p.A.), through laser sensors installed at the level crossings, are able to detect any obstacles present on the tracks, even those that may appear after the barriers have closed, and send an alert. This naturally increases the level of safety for travelers, but also for citizens, especially at those level crossings located in urban centers. Currently on the entire Bari-Matera line, FAL has 16 level crossings which will be reduced to 6 by 2029. Next July, in fact, 3 will be eliminated (one in Bari Santa Caterina and 2 in Palo del Colle); another 4 will be removed by 2028 in conjunction with the railway doubling works Palo-Grumo and Grumo-Toritto; while the elimination of 2 other level crossings in Altamura and 1 in Matera Venusio is planned (by 2029). In conjunction with these additional technological interventions, the Company is therefore proceeding with the gradual elimination of level crossings to ensure greater railway safety and benefits in travel times.