Railroaders ideas to improve crossing safety

[Anonymous]

What wonderful posts. You guys shed such a positive light on the insiders thoughts about the rail crossing problem that I have to wear a welding hood. I presume that you think Mr. Snow is a wonderful choice for the Feds as well. How does your Union feel about this? Same as you? Keep paying those dues...

[edblysard]

Hi Blue,
So far we have, Double arm gates, baricades both in the center line and at the edges of crossings, to prevent drive arounds. Hi intensity leds instead of plain reds lights, lighted amber Xs, also hi intensity, louder horns instead of bells at crossing, elmination of crossing where poss. drop down rods or baracaides on the underside of arms to prevent drive unders. Video surveilance, and citations based on that. Public education, school kids emphasised. All we need now are disposable flamethrower cartridges, in the industrial size. Think Wal Mart has any left?
Ed

[Anonymous]

“There are approximately 160,000 public highway-railroad intersections, of which only 20% have gates. And even when there are audible warning devices, they may 'fail' to meet their objective of alerting motorists to an oncoming train because of highway vehicle design and environmental factors.” As a result, more than 90 percent of all rail-related fatalities involved either grade crossings or trespassers, and of these deaths approximately 60 percent occur at crossings with only passive warning devices.” (NTSB Safety Study, July 21, 1998)
Sounds like everything is being taken care of.
20%, Wow!!!

[mudchicken]

Please add:

(1) For anyone caught running gates or involved in a train-auto while driving and being one of the 99% at fault: 5 year loss of driving priviledges, hit 'em where it really hurts. (Driving is not a "right" even though iceman probably has been mis-informed on this too).

(2)Public pressure on Congress to fund provisions of TEA-21 (and soon TEA-3) along with dramatically increasing the paltry federal Section 400/402 money that amounts to 2-3 Million a year for Grade Separation and crossing gate monies for each state. At $1.5 Million+ per bridge and $225,000 for a set of 4 quadrant gates, the Section 400 funding does not go far. TEA-21 had provisions for safety upgrades at crossings THAT NEVER WAS FUNDED. What IS really criminal is that monies were allocated on rails-to-trails and beautification. How that equates to "transportation efficiency" in ISTEA in the minds of the wonky politicians of the years since ISTEA came to be is a mystery to most. The money would have been better spent on safety issues.

(3) State transportation departments: change your name back to highway department until you can validly say you are funding the steel wheeled issues proportionately to the rubber tired crowd (i.e. the truck lobby)and you have legitimately trained railroaders (and not just "transit" with all its wannabe's) on staff - 80% can't say that.

(4) For Iceman and his ilk: Please talk to as many OLI presenters as you can (I vote for all). Your misinformed "cheap shots" should start to wear on your conscience after the first few. These folks are legitimately concerned about grade crossing safety, railroaders or not. I work around these folks on a regular basis, they are for real and they just got a new volunteer.

'nuf said,
Mudchicken


PS-the number of tresspassers killed each year is increasing while the number of vehicle accidents and fatalities drops. People continue to get dumber, except they're not behind the wheel anymore. Frightening.....Is the "sign entrapment guy" in the other post next?

[sooblue]

*lol*-laughing out loud-
Can you be a conservative radical?
That means your so conservative that you appear radical to the conservatives...right?

What topic would you like? OH! I just remembered I have a topic! An update on welded rail.
Sooblue

[sooblue]

Hi Ed,
Now I'm not just *lol* I'm clapping as well!!
I dawn gortex myself.

You could add a ultra high intensity noise that would have the same effect as fenceless dog control does, for walk arrounds. The noise would be so loud that the drivers waiting at the crossing would get out of their cars and smack the offender.
I think each of the Ideas that you listed are worth trying. I wonder how much it would cost. You could say it would be worth it if just one life and the crew trama associated with that death would be eliminated. Maybe crossings are what the government should help pay for... OH OH!
Sooblue

[edblysard]

I agree. Most crossings are not the property of the railroad anyway, we dont like things on the tracks, except trains. They belong to the local or state agency that supervises and designs streets. They do get federal funds for their projects, but fail to spend it on grade crossings. The FRA has a grade seperation and crossing closeure program, but its woefully underfunded also. In essence, the crossing belongs to the public who uses it, and if they dont like what devices are present, they should grip and complain to their elected represenitives. And so far, I have managed to get by with wet bath towels, after all, why bring gortex to a girl scout marshmellow roast?
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[sooblue]

Hi,
You sound like you are informed and have done your homework. I tend to agree with you on points 1,2,and 3. I won't get into point 4.

In point one you mentioned "driving is not a right" Boy I hate that saying. Unless you live and work in downtown whatever and can walk every where driving isn't a right it's a necessity.
In 1903 it was a horse and buggy, in 2003 it's a car or truck. Money well spent would be for a much better driver ed. program, one that turns the student into a professional. Skid school even!
When you’re done with the course you ARE a professional. If you can't pass the full course than you get a restricted license.

Point 2, I used to make the steel pedestals for quadrant gates at a business called RR accessories
in Mpls. They don't cost that much to make or install, But they do when "government money" is involved. When the "government" finally stands up and says, "this is what the PEOPLE will pay and no more" than suddenly the cost overruns will magically disappear. If the "big boys" refuse to bid on a project screw them and give one of the small shops a chance. The "big boys" will come back on board.

Point 3, two thumbs up! However, until all forms of transportation are worked together to compliment each other there will only be more headbutting/buttheading *smile*

Everyone has their own agenda; working together should be the first agenda!

Sooblue

[sooblue]

*lol*
Oh! The Girl Scouts burned down their clubhouse next door to my aunts house during a weenie roast.

Sooblue

[Anonymous]

Ah...I think your targeting the wrong person. I actualy drive for my job, not one to brag but I driven aprox 100,000 miles in the last 3 years 70,000 miles in my own car. Im the LAST person who looks at driving as a right. I had to wait till I was 18 to get my licence while all the lil punks where driving momys Explorer. What kind of moron would take driving as a privilage?

As for OLI I acualy put a link directly to their web sight on my own webpage....Acualy I thought of that idea and brought this thought to THIS discuision. I highly recomend every one in this discuision to visit their website - www.oli.org !!
Please go back, read this extremly long post and see how many good post there was. And yes it does get alittle ugly in parts, but this post was made (by ED) to bring out ways we can help. Now do you have any ideas or do you plan on attacking me some more?
Icemanmike-MILWAUKEE

[Anonymous]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CIV
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 [phone]
TDD [phone]



CSX PAYS U.S. $5.9 MILLION TO SETTLE MISCHARGING CLAIMS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- CSX Transportation Inc. will pay the
United States $5.9 million to settle claims the company
overcharged the government millions of dollars for railroad
crossing signals installed under a federal safety program, the
Department of Justice announced today.
Assistant Attorney General Frank W. Hunger, in charge of the
Civil Division, said the agreement settles claims that CSX
Transportation inflated labor hours for wiring signal houses;
failed to obtain the lowest price possible from third-party
vendors for parts; and overcharged for certain parts by selling
them at a profit to third-party vendors, then repurchased the
parts and charged the United States the higher repurchase price.
Funds for the railroad signal crossing equipment, which were
installed primarily in southeastern states, were provided under
the Rail Highways Crossing Program administered by the Federal-Aid
Highway Program of the Department of Transportation. The
federal government provides 90 percent of the money for the
program with the states providing 10 percent in matching funds.
Hunger said A. David Nelson, a former employee of CSX
Transportation, brought the matter to the government's attention
in February 1993, then filed a qui tam suit March 17, 1994, in
U.S. District Court in Jacksonville, Florida, under the False
Claims Act, 31 U.S.C.  3729.
A two-year investigation by the Department of
Transportation's Office of Inspector General and Florida
Department of Transportation confirmed the allegations.
In April 1993, CSX Transportation voluntarily refunded $2.1
million to 18 states as an adjustment to amounts billed for the
construction of signals at grade crossings and on January 11,
1995, CSX Transportation agreed to pay Florida and 11 of the 18
states $1.4 million for adjusted costs related to grade crossing
signals.
In addition to the money CSX Transportation has paid the
United States and the states, the company also must absorb all of
its expenses, including legal and accounting costs incurred in
this matter.
The settlement resolves any potential claims by the United
States against CSX Transportation under the False Claims Act for
fraud and under common law concerning allegations of cost
mischarging to the Rail Highways Crossing Program.
Pursuant to the False Claims Act, Nelson will receive
$1,180,000 of the settlement.
#####
95-520

[edblysard]

Humm, guess they didnt read the handbook on fire safty, or attend weenie awarness week. Maby they should sue the weinee maker for making ultra dangerous and unreasonably hot and flammable weeines.
Fire? what fire? dont need gortex anymore, the delete button works better.
Stay frosty, (pun intended)
Ed

[sooblue]

POWER TO THE PEOPLE !!
Now we just need to get back our money from the other 100,000+ theifs.

Sooblue

[wabash1]

it is not hard to do. if a tresspasser is standing facing you ready to bolt away and does so then its chicken if he is walking away from you and doesnt look back to see you couse he never heard you or the warning blast becouse they had ear phones on then its not chicken. as far as cars goes when the see you comming becouse they are driving right beside you and race you for the crossing that is stupid. if they are comming up the road and lights are flashing and they drive right up to the tracks look both ways and then stair at you judging your speed then take off that is stupid, and one other observation is they stare at you as they drive in front of you and leave they do see you its hard not to. but i dont exspect you to take my word for it. as your mind is made up we are all mean people that kill people at road crossings. have a good day.

[wabash1]

Well i am not sure now. ill let my lawyers figure that out for me. im sure we can find a jury somewhere that can be lead to believe my story.lol