Number of trains passing red signals in the Netherlands falls sharply

The Dutch transport ministry has published figures showing that the number of trains passing red signals fell by 34 per cent in 2014.

Last year, 112 trains passed red signals without clearance compared to 170 in 2013. The Dutch government said it is the smallest number of reported incidents since the 1980s.

The reduction is being attributed to the wider rollout of ATB-Vv – an upgraded version of the Dutch ATB-EG automatic train control system.

Unlike its predecessor, the new system automatically stops trains travelling below 40 km/h from passing red signals.

Currently, almost half of the Dutch signalling system is operating with ATB-Vv.

Dutch officials said that better driving training had also been a contributing factor in reducing the number of signals passed at danger (SPADs).