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Amtrak Accident - Non-Working Crossing Signals

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[quote user="Norm48327"] " I was told that YIELD signs are not needed at signalized crossings because the signals protect the crossings and those signals are infallible."  That doesn't make sense. All things made by man can fail given the right circumstances. What if the power has failed and the batteries have died ? And while I'm on that soapbox, whatever happened to the 'stop, look, listen' signs? Your security and safety still depends on you. [/quote] Here is a message from the Minnesota DOT stating that a YIELD sign is not needed at signalized crossings because the signals cannot fail to activate: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national standard for all traffic signals and markings, including those for identification of highway-rail grade crossings. The MUTCD is undergoing significant revision and it is hoped that the final version will be published sometime in the fall 2009. One of the proposals in the new version is to require either a STOP or YIELD sign to be affixed to all crossbuck posts at crossings without active warning devices. This proposal is the result of a comprehensive study that concluded that motorists do not recognize the crossbuck as a YIELD sign. The design of "active" warning devices (gates and/or flashing lights) is fail safe - this is an FRA requirement and if the gates and/or flashing lights malfunction - the gates drop down and the flashing lights are activated. Thus, there really is no need to advise a motorist to yield/stop at a grade crossing with active warning devices. Adding a YIELD sign to crossings equipped with active warning devices has not been discussed - and potentially could confuse a motorist about the appropriate behavior at the crossing. I hope this answers some of your concerns. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is responsible for the final approval of the MUTCD - there is a web site if you are interested in reading some of the proposed changes - <A href="http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/">http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/</A> If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me. [Contact name removed] Manager, Rail Administration Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations 395 John Ireland Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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