freight trains collide with vehicles

[blue streak 1]

NS intermodal hits another over a no trucks crossing.

http://www.ajc.com/news/traffic/train-and-truck-collide-gwinnett-county/aAYvMCer8unIAmmIsKlRAN/

[mudchicken]

Brain fart or GIS fail followed by brain failure?

Roads hugging the R/W line apparently won't raise economically, thus the humped crossing signs, prompted by earlier fails? 

[ChuckCobleigh]

mudchicken

Brain fart or GIS fail followed by brain failure?

Roads hugging the R/W line apparently won't raise economically, thus the humped crossing signs, prompted by earlier fails? 

I would guess raising is not feasible due to the roads parallel to the rail line being so close.  Love the "STRICTLY ENFORCED" placards next to the no trucks signs.  I guess they needed to add "By Locomotive" to those placards.

Also, interesting that coming south from the tracks, drivers go into a 3-way stop intersection with a couple of "KEEP MOVING" signs.  The whole setup is a traffic engineering nightmare.

[tree68]

ChuckCobleigh

I guess they needed to add "By Locomotive" to those placards.

[BigJim]

Did you notice in the video that the crossing lights were still flashing?

[Sonofahoghead]

Article says-->  "...signs in the area say trucks are prohibited and show an image of a truck getting stuck on the tracks."

So it's last week sometime.. I pull into the main post office that's kind enough to have a 24-hour PO box lobby and I pick up my mail.  It's 4:45 AM.. zero traffic.. and I decide to go 'out' the 'in' driveway to save a minute's hassle.  Okay, yeah, sure.. there are signs.. but really, what were that instance's odds of conflict?  Well, I'll tell ya.  Not one, not two, but THREE cars all show up at that very moment, at that wee hour, and want go in the thing!  Come on, man... is it just me this happens to??  Nope.  Apparently it's not.

[CShaveRR]

Intersections like this (three-way stops, with traffic crrossing the tracks given the right-of-way) are very much the norm in our neck of the woods.  I think the "keep moving" signs would be a good addition to the signage in some instances--I've seen some people nearly get plowed into because they stop for the subsequent intersection.  

Then there is the problem of a pedestrian crossing the intersection in the way of a vehicle crossing the tracks (pedesrtrian is probably not in the wrong for crossing there--and the vehicle has to yield, according to the laws).  If another car is closely following, one hopes he has somewhere to go!

From the looks of things, the hump in the crossing is fairly reecent, probably the result of upgrading the tracks...in other words, it may not have been there before, and the restriction could have been new.  (Not making an excuse for the truck driver ignoring the signs, mind you!)  One would hope that by prolonging the slope on either side, trhe problem could be mitigated.

[mudchicken]

The signs go up (or should go up) when the road profile 30 feet away from the nearest rail exceeds 6 inches difference in elevation from the top of the rail (AASHTO/AREMA joint common standard)

[ATSFGuy]

There are over a quarter million railroad crossings in the United States. At every one of them is an accident just waiting to happen.

This is true, especially is rural areas where crossings rely on the old white Crossbucks signs and have no gates or operating lights.

[blue streak 1]

Its been a bad two days around Portland, Or.  First south bound starlight hit TT yesterday, Then Nt Hood Santa train hit another that slid onto track, and now UP hits one today in North Portland.

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2016/dec/21/polar-express-delayed-train-and-truck-collide-mond/

[mudchicken]

It's a start:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/news/Illinois-law-to-double-fines-for-drivers-who-ignore-crossing-gates--50489?email=[e-mail]&utm_medium=email&utm_source=prdailynews&utm_campaign=prdailynews12/29/2016

Until the right to get behind the wheel and "get stupid" is dealt with, the "finer citizenry" will never comprehend that driving a motor vehicle on american roads is a priviledge and not an inalienable "right".

[Deggesty]

MC, you are certainly right. I do not know if the fact that a driver's license is a privilege, and not a right is stressed at all. 

Incidentally, since almost all vehicles now have turn signals, the hand signals (which I think should be, if they are not, included in the manuals for driver licenses) should be known by all. When I began driving, few cars had turn signals, much way "four-way flashers."

[caldreamer]

STUP DRIVERS HAVE TO  LEARN:

Rule 1 .  Cars versus a train, the train ALWAYS wins.

Rule 2.  When in doubt refer to rule 1.

[blue streak 1]

Ilinois starting Jan 1 will have the highest fines in naion for ignoring crossing gates.  In amother lack of journalism the link states METRA will double the fines..  That appears to be a rather big mistake but ???

http://www.rtands.com/index.php/safety-training/illinois-law-doubles-fines-for-grade-crossing-warning-scofflaws.html?channel=288

The following is somewhat different.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/news/Illinois-law-to-double-fines-for-drivers-who-ignore-crossing-gates--50489

Now what happens when the judge decides not to fine ?  Pedestrians do not seem to be under the law ?

 

[Dakguy201]

A train cut a semi trailer apart in LeMars, Iowa.  The cargo was turkey filets, which ended up scattered along the right of way.  The driver survived.

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/semi-trailer-sliced-in-half-by-train-near-le-mars/article_2fceb0e5-41cb-5265-bc19-ed7ffcc78c55.html 

[ATSFGuy]

In one of the Train Magazines this year, (August) I believe, the map of the moth had to do with railroad crossings in the United States.  I was shocked looking at the number of accidents for California. Since LA is car culture, we tend to have crowded streets, traffic jams, and freeway pileups more often. Any grade crossing in California that has not yet been upgraded is simply waiting for an accident to happen.

[tree68]

blue streak 1

In another lack of journalism the link states METRA will double the fines..  That appears to be a rather big mistake but ???

There looks to be several factors leading to that gaffe.  One, it appears that METRA championed the legislation.  One might (wrongly) assume that if METRA was behind the legislation, that METRA would be the one doing the fining.

Of course, that ignores the fact that there are hundreds of RR crossings in the state that don't belong to METRA.  The second big gaffe.

The third gaffe seems to be that the writer doesn't understand who enforces vehicle and traffic laws...

And that's a problem with a lot of journalists today.  They have no clue...

[LensCapOn]

Shouldn't the thread title be "Stupid Vehicles sit in ONE SPOT Train can hit them"?

 

Afterall, it's not like a train can swerve of the tracks to hit you then swerve back....

[tree68]

LensCapOn

Afterall, it's not like a train can swerve off the tracks to hit you then swerve back....

Contrary to what may prove to be popular belief....  

[kingcoal]

I've got to say the "turkey filets" on the UP locomotive in the LeMars incident make for a somber photo. Might try that in my next horror film.

[SALfan]

tree68

 

 

LensCapOn

Afterall, it's not like a train can swerve off the tracks to hit you then swerve back....

 

 

Contrary to what may prove to be popular belief....  

 

Hey, we all know those vicious freight trains roam the countryside like wolves, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting motor vehicles at any moment (NOT!!!)

[tree68]

SALfan

Hey, we all know those vicious freight trains roam the countryside like wolves, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting motor vehicles at any moment (NOT!!!)

Maybe someone can find that story about the British tram driver who was faced with a vehicle parked in his path...

[Dakguy201]

About 10 miles from the accident of a few days ago, a train and semi got together.  This one was near Remsen, Ia.  From news photos, it appears it was an empty flatbed semi that tried to get across in front of a train hauling corn syrup in tank cars.  The driver survived; his vehicle not so much.    

[jeffhergert]

Dakguy201

A train cut a semi trailer apart in LeMars, Iowa.  The cargo was turkey filets, which ended up scattered along the right of way.  The driver survived.

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/semi-trailer-sliced-in-half-by-train-near-le-mars/article_2fceb0e5-41cb-5265-bc19-ed7ffcc78c55.html 

 

That same morning a westbound auto rack train hit an abandoned truck at Chelsea, IA.  Nobody hurt because nobody was around the vehicle when it was struck.  

Jeff

[schlimm]

tree68

 

 

blue streak 1

In another lack of journalism the link states METRA will double the fines..  That appears to be a rather big mistake but ???

 

 

There looks to be several factors leading to that gaffe.  One, it appears that METRA championed the legislation.  One might (wrongly) assume that if METRA was behind the legislation, that METRA would be the one doing the fining.

Of course, that ignores the fact that there are hundreds of RR crossings in the state that don't belong to METRA.  The second big gaffe.

The third gaffe seems to be that the writer doesn't understand who enforces vehicle and traffic laws...

And that's a problem with a lot of journalists today.  They have no clue...

 

Both articles are accurate and clear.

[Deggesty]

schlimm

 

 

tree68

 

 

blue streak 1

In another lack of journalism the link states METRA will double the fines..  That appears to be a rather big mistake but ???

 

 

There looks to be several factors leading to that gaffe.  One, it appears that METRA championed the legislation.  One might (wrongly) assume that if METRA was behind the legislation, that METRA would be the one doing the fining.

Of course, that ignores the fact that there are hundreds of RR crossings in the state that don't belong to METRA.  The second big gaffe.

The third gaffe seems to be that the writer doesn't understand who enforces vehicle and traffic laws...

And that's a problem with a lot of journalists today.  They have no clue...

 

 

 

 

Both articles are accurate and clear.

 

What source states that Metra has the authority to assess fines?

I do not doubt that Metra promoted the doubling of fines, but how is it that Metra would have the authority?

[wanswheel]

Excerpt from Metra safety article

https://metrarail.com/node/3929

Sometimes simply talking and teaching about safety isn’t enough, and that’s where our enforcement programs come into play. Our Safety Department, in coordination with Metra Police, local police agencies and freight railroads across the region, also conduct periodic grade crossing enforcement blitzes to ensure pedestrians and motorists do not violate the grade crossing warning devices. And if our employees or customers report safety concerns at a particular location, we schedule additional enforcement activities for those locations. The intention is to keep everyone who comes in contact with our railroad safe, and in some cases this requires that we issue a warning or a formal citation. In Illinois, fines for disobeying railroad safety devices start at $500.

 

Excerpt from Metra newsroom, Apr. 27, 2016

https://metrarail.com/about-metra/newsroom/metra-cook-county-partner-improve-metra-police-operations

The Metra Board of Directors today approved two agreements with Cook County that will allow the agency’s Police Department to put more officers in the field and operate more effectively and efficiently.

In the first agreement, tickets issued by Metra Police officers in Cook County for violations of ordinances that protect Metra passengers and property, including vandalism, theft, disorderly conduct and trespassing, will be adjudicated by the Cook County Department of Administrative Hearings.

Currently, Metra Police officers make arrests for misdemeanor violations of state laws and the cases are adjudicated in and fines are collected by the Circuit Court of Cook County. This process requires officers to go through a sometimes cumbersome booking process and be present for court dates, often repeatedly for the same case. Metra estimates that officers spend 350 to 400 hours a year on arrests and bookings in Cook County, and 500 to 540 hours a year in court, including 300 to 400 overtime hours.

By using adjudication services provided by the Cook County Department of Administrative Hearings, Metra Police officers will no longer need to be present in court in most cases, reducing overtime costs and enabling the officers to spend more time in the field and on patrol. Under this agreement, Metra and Cook County will also share the revenue collected from any citations issued by Metra Police officers.

[blue streak 1]

Dog bites train -----------

http://komonews.com/news/local/woman-drives-into-side-of-freight-train-distracted-by-loud-music-loose-dog

 

[ACY Tom]

blue streak 1

Dog bites train -----------

http://komonews.com/news/local/woman-drives-into-side-of-freight-train-distracted-by-loud-music-loose-dog

 

 

Is "heavily damaged" the 2017 euphemism for "totaled"?

Tom

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

It's hardly a new phrase for that situation.  I don't think that I've ever heard "totaled" used in a situation beyond casual conversation and almost never in print or broadcast.