Poland installs solar‑powered active STOP signs on hazardous rail crossings

A pilot programme in Poland’s Pomorskie region has equipped more than 60 level crossings classified as category D with solar‑powered, LED‑illuminated STOP signs that activate when a vehicle approaches. The system, called “Bezpieczny STOP”, is being expanded to 85 crossings across Pomorskie and the neighboring Warmia‑Mazury voivodeships.

The project is led by the Pomorskie Railway Society with financial support of over 1.2 million zł from the Energa Foundation. Each sign costs about 15 000 zł to install and runs on solar energy, requiring minimal maintenance. Officials cite the high risk of unguarded crossings – in 2024 there were 163 accidents at such sites, resulting in 49 fatalities – and hope the new signs will improve driver awareness and reduce casualties.

Regional authorities, including Marshal Mieczysław Struk and representatives of the Energa Foundation, emphasise the initiative as a cost‑effective safety upgrade that could later be rolled out to all roughly 4,500 similar crossings nationwide.