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[quote user="zugmann"] Wouldn't that crossing be considered a form of an <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_an_outlier_in_math">outlier</a>?  <div style="clear:both;"></div> [/quote] Zugman,  <o:p></o:p> Yes it is an outlier, but that does not invalidate my point.  With all due respect, I used the example (end of page 4) with an exaggerated crossing danger in the crossing structural details, and also exaggerated the vehicle train frequency downward, only to make a point.  I think the point is valid, and I am not sure why you refuse to consider it.  The example is a non-existent scenario, as you say, but it is not a silly numbers game, as you say.  <o:p></o:p> I believe this particular Nevada crossing calls for an extended warning.  It is not tantamount to putting “16 flashing warning signs for every single hazard that exists,” as you say.  For all I know, there may be only a handful of crossings in Nevada that call for this added protection.  Furthermore, this added protection in the form of enhanced advance warning, is a tool in the toolbox of crossing protection measures developed by the traffic experts and authorities.  They invented that tool precisely for crossings with relatively high road speeds.  <o:p></o:p> There are hundreds of thousands of crossings in the U.S. that would not require this added protection.  I am not advocating for added safety measures on all grade crossings, just to squeeze out that last ounce of crash prevention, as you suggest in your last paragraph.  As you have previously pointed out, that would be a slippery slope, and the cost would not be worth it.  And if you do go down that slippery slope, it eventually leads to proposals for giant air bags on the front of locomotives to protect pedestrians.  Those are good points you make in your last paragraph, and I agree with all of them, however, they have nothing whatsoever to do with what I have suggested with the Nevada crossing.   <o:p></o:p> I agree with your point that driving is a privilege where we are required to show competency of skills in order to participate, and that the government should not have to take the warning systems to extremes for every road hazard.  However, they do adjust the warning system to match each hazard.  If all that was needed was marking the existence of a grade crossing, and the rest was left up to driver competency, we would not need flashing lights and gates on crossings.
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