Love the local journalist take here....These gangsta Brightline trains are out of control here in Miami jumping off of tracks and assulting and killing random people..
They are too stupid for low speed rail! I want Boynton Beach Closed until they can accept that trains operate where there are lights and gates across the highways.
If Brightline ever operates at High Speeds (150 mph +) crossing separation will have to happen - the local populace is too stupid to handle it at grade crossings.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Accidents happen in Europe too. In 2016 it were about 140 accidents with about 30 fatalities on DB track in Germany alone.
On lines with speeds above 100 mph grade crossings are forbidden.
In a representative survey with 2,000 peoples in Germany 25% thought the red blinking light has the same meaning as yellow on a traffic light.Regards, Volker
Maybe Brightline has to put up some of these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGhFHKtDhns
Aside from that, you can't fix stupid.
Firelock76Maybe Brightline has to put up some of these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGhFHKtDhns Aside from that, you can't fix stupid.
Noise pollution!
That stretch of trackage has a speed limit of 79 MPH, which for passenger trains isn't uncommon.
The major frustration is the NIMBY-backed politicians trying to make something out of nothing.
BaltACD Firelock76 Maybe Brightline has to put up some of these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGhFHKtDhns Aside from that, you can't fix stupid. Noise pollution!
Firelock76 Maybe Brightline has to put up some of these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGhFHKtDhns Aside from that, you can't fix stupid.
Since. as I recall, that warning was put in place by a private individual, if the good people of Boynton Beach are so concerned about the inabilty of some of their residents to recognize the standard warnings as being warnings of danger, perhaps said good citizens should devise, at their own expense, a warning system that their people would recognize as such?
Johnny
The news reports on the latest two fatalities indicate that the deceased had gone under/around the gates. Since they are pedestrians, four-quadrant gates will have no effect.
I don't know how to combat that, and I'm sure the railroad is equally perplexed.
Nobody wants to wait for a mere minute. Just sixty seconds and the train will be nothing but a memory. But, no, they can't wait.
All these politicians (and other critics) need to go sit at a crossing for a while and watch people ignore the existing warning signals.
Many of the other rail fatalities in Florida over the past few years appear to have been suicides. It's really hard to combat that in the moment.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
VOLKER LANDWEHR Accidents happen in Europe too. In 2016 it were about 140 accidents with about 30 fatalities on DB track in Germany alone. On lines with speeds above 100 mph grade crossings are forbidden. In a representative survey with 2,000 peoples in Germany 25% thought the red blinking light has the same meaning as yellow on a traffic light.Regards, Volker
That is an interesting interpretation. I could see where some might think the blinking red at a grade crossing means that same as a blinking red at a traffic signal. In the U.S. that would mean stop and proceed if clear to do so, just like a stop sign. Solid yellow on a traffic signal is advance warning that it will soon change to red. Blinking yellow at a traffic signal means yield, so no stop is required unless there is opposing traffic.
If drivers mistake grade crossing signals as meaning stop and proceed if it is clear to do so, that leaves it up to the driver to determine how close the train has to be in order for it not to be clear to cross. Surveys here show that a large percentage of drivers believe that this is the meaning of flashing lights at grade crossings. They believe the signals are advisory rather than regulatory; the same as crossbucks at passive crossings.
Time and again, people here have been warned about the significance of the crossing gates and lights where TRAX (the UTA local transit) crosses streets--and still occasionally someone is hit. I have no statistics in my mind. The warnings include the statement that as long as the lights are flashing the crossing belongs to TRAX, not to the traffic on the street or sidewalk. It is not just the people in Boynton Beach who are not aware. At least, the local politicians are not as irrational as those mentioned.
I believe that British Rail has miles of fencing on there right of ways. Funny people will stop for red traffic light but not a blinking railroad crossing with gates?
Does Sen W. Nelson also want road traffic stopped in Miami until the latest pedestrian fatality is thoroughly investigated? Bring in the horses.
EuclidIf drivers mistake grade crossing signals as meaning stop and proceed if it is clear to do so, that leaves it up to the driver to determine how close the train has to be in order for it not to be clear to cross. Surveys here show that a large percentage of drivers believe that this is the meaning of flashing lights at grade crossings. They believe the signals are advisory rather than regulatory; the same as crossbucks at passive crossings.
If there's a horizontal bar with red and white stripes blocking your way, maybe that's an indication that you shouldn't go past it?
I know, there are crossings without gates, but with lights - they exist in my old home town. But the crossings in question in these two fatalities had gates.
What gets me is that if a pedestrian ignored a red light at a street intersection and got hit, no one would blame the truck driver who hit him...
tree68 Euclid If drivers mistake grade crossing signals as meaning stop and proceed if it is clear to do so, that leaves it up to the driver to determine how close the train has to be in order for it not to be clear to cross. Surveys here show that a large percentage of drivers believe that this is the meaning of flashing lights at grade crossings. They believe the signals are advisory rather than regulatory; the same as crossbucks at passive crossings. If there's a horizontal bar with red and white stripes blocking your way, maybe that's an indication that you shouldn't go past it? I know, there are crossings without gates, but with lights - they exist in my old home town. But the crossings in question in these two fatalities had gates. What gets me is that if a pedestrian ignored a red light at a street intersection and got hit, no one would blame the truck driver who hit him...
Euclid If drivers mistake grade crossing signals as meaning stop and proceed if it is clear to do so, that leaves it up to the driver to determine how close the train has to be in order for it not to be clear to cross. Surveys here show that a large percentage of drivers believe that this is the meaning of flashing lights at grade crossings. They believe the signals are advisory rather than regulatory; the same as crossbucks at passive crossings.
Another thought: would the Boynton Beach city fathers consider drafting people to stand at the Brightline crossings to warn pedestrians not to try to cross the tracks when the gates are down? I doubt that any such idea would enter their minds.
Deggesty I doubt that any such idea would enter their minds.
That would imply that the incidents aren't the fault of the railroad, which is clearly not on their agenda.
The point with the truck is that people would blame a pedestrian for walking out in front of it, but if they walk out in front of the train, it's the train's fault...
Karma at it's best.
Those who deserve shall receive.
Norm
This is the same state that has road signs that say "HILL BLOCKS VIEW". I laughed for five miles after passing those signs.
So if the city wants more safety-- install a coordinated traffic signal saying walk until crossing activated then flashes "don't walk $1000 fine " if any of these crossing already have traffic ligh signal coordination then just cost of wiring and signs.
dubch87 This is the same state that has road signs that say "HILL BLOCKS VIEW". I laughed for five miles after passing those signs.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Deggesty Time and again, people here have been warned about the significance of the crossing gates and lights where TRAX (the UTA local transit) crosses streets--and still occasionally someone is hit. I have no statistics in my mind. The warnings include the statement that as long as the lights are flashing the crossing belongs to TRAX, not to the traffic on the street or sidewalk. It is not just the people in Boynton Beach who are not aware. At least, the local politicians are not as irrational as those mentioned.
Florida and Utah are not the only areas that seem to have the market cornered on pedestrian stupidity; where trains, railroads and commuter trains are a part of the picture.
Sometime back, around here there was a YouTube video of a Chicago Metra station that had three tracks through the station; the outer tracks were each on platforms and the center track was a 'passing track'. At at least one end of the station there was a pedestrian crosswalk across all three tracks. It of course had the appropriate warning signs about 'watching for the trains'.
I think i remember that the scenario was computers racing to cross the tracks to get to the parking lot after deboarding from their commuter train, and failed to see the express, at speed on the center track, and the result was at least one pedestrian was hit by that express train.
Probably, CSHaveRR (CARL ) can clear up my memories of that video. He may even know when and how it happened? It seems that when people who have their own agenda and needs tend to throw all caution to the winds while thinking their problem insulates them from normal cautions.
tree68 What gets me is that if a pedestrian ignored a red light at a street intersection and got hit, no one would blame the truck driver who hit him...
The city I live in (admittedly small by most people's standards) has a few streets downtown that have marked pedestrian crosswalks mid-block. There are signs stating that pedestrians have right of way (state law) at these crosswalks. So, while at the intersections there are walk/don't walk signals, mid-block one could legally walk right out into traffic. (I wouldn't recommend it and most who use them wait, at least until they can tell drivers are going to stop for them.) It just strikes me as a strange set-up.
Jeff
Murphy SidingOur state has similar goofy signs: "Limited sight distance ahead". You don't say.
I kinda like "Thickly Settled," as seen in MA. We're in a city. Ya think?
CandOforprogress2 Love the local journalist take here....These gangsta Brightline trains are out of control here in Miami jumping off of tracks and assulting and killing random people.. WPTV News | West Palm Beach Florida Published on Jan 17, 2018 SUBSCRIBE 52K The Bicyclist STRUCK AND KILLED by a Brightline train Wednesday has been identified as 51-year-old Jeffrey D. King of Boynton Beach, according to the Boynton Beach Police Department. ,US Senator Bill Nelson in a letter, asked Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to improve rail crossing safety. Florida was in the top 10 nationwide in train involved deaths in 2016. Boynton Beach Commissioner Joe Casello wants Brightline to halt its service altogether until safety is improved.
Nothing new here, the media blames SUV's for defective operators all the time.
And blames guns for what criminal do, and so on.
If you get in front of a moving train - at any speed, did we really need you in the gene pool?
Sheldon
samfp1943 Deggesty Time and again, people here have been warned about the significance of the crossing gates and lights where TRAX (the UTA local transit) crosses streets--and still occasionally someone is hit. I have no statistics in my mind. The warnings include the statement that as long as the lights are flashing the crossing belongs to TRAX, not to the traffic on the street or sidewalk. It is not just the people in Boynton Beach who are not aware. At least, the local politicians are not as irrational as those mentioned. Florida and Utah are not the only areas that seem to have the market cornered on pedestrian stupidity; where trains, railroads and commuter trains are a part of the picture. Sometime back, around here there was a YouTube video of a Chicago Metra station that had three tracks through the station; the outer tracks were each on platforms and the center track was a 'passing track'. At at least one end of the station there was a pedestrian crosswalk across all three tracks. It of course had the appropriate warning signs about 'watching for the trains'. I think i remember that the scenario was computers racing to cross the tracks to get to the parking lot after deboarding from their commuter train, and failed to see the express, at speed on the center track, and the result was at least one pedestrian was hit by that express train. Probably, CSHaveRR (CARL ) can clear up my memories of that video. He may even know when and how it happened? It seems that when people who have their own agenda and needs tend to throw all caution to the winds while thinking their problem insulates them from normal cautions.
Downer's Grove IL 1991. There are versions on youtube. Some stop short, some show the woman being struck.
Don't know if this applies to Boynton Beach or not, but several small towns were apparently enraged when they found out Brightline wouldn't be stopping in their little town and have fought the train viciously ever since. They haven't been overly concerned with accuracy or the truth while waging their battle - some of their claims have been laughable.
samfp1943 I think i remember that the scenario was computers racing to cross the tracks to get to the parking lot after deboarding from their commuter train, and failed to see the express, at speed on the center track, and the result was at least one pedestrian was hit by that express train.
This appears to prove that the computers are really taking over.
SALfanDon't know if this applies to Boynton Beach or not, but several small towns were apparently enraged when they found out Brightline wouldn't be stopping in their little town and have fought the train viciously ever since. They haven't been overly concerned with accuracy or the truth while waging their battle - some of their claims have been laughable.
The thought process in S. Florida about Brightline is that it should stop in every beach town along the way and still have a 45 minute run between Miami and West Palm Beach. The reality is that at the speed of light that would still be a tough order.
samfp1943 Sometime back, around here there was a YouTube video of a Chicago Metra station that had three tracks through the station; the outer tracks were each on platforms and the center track was a 'passing track'. At at least one end of the station there was a pedestrian crosswalk across all three tracks. It of course had the appropriate warning signs about 'watching for the trains'. I think i remember that the scenario was computers racing to cross the tracks to get to the parking lot after deboarding from their commuter train, and failed to see the express, at speed on the center track, and the result was at least one pedestrian was hit by that express train.
When they heard a train horn, the lawyer walked faster to get across ahead of the train, even though the train was not yet within his sight. The woman, seemingly in reaction to her lawyer, also speeded up her walking. So both of them appeard to intend to beat the train. Since the lawyer had sped up his walking first, he pulled ahead of the woman, so when she saw this, she walked even faster to catch up with him and not be left behind by being cut off by the train.
The lawyer was taller than the woman and nearer to the approaching train, so it seemed like she may just have deferred to his judgment in beating the train, and did not feel it was necessary for her to look and verify that they could make it. She seemed to be focused only on walking fast to keep up with her lawyer.
At the last instant, they passed the standing cars, and the lawyer saw the approaching train coming very fast. He realsized they could not make it, so he abruptly stopped in his tracks. But the woman apparently did not look and verify the danger like the lawyer did. So she kept going and stepped right into the path of the train and was killed.
It would seem that (lady) cured her own stupidity by the aformentioned event.
Y6bs evergreen in my mind
i might need a refresher view but iirc she was on her cell phone.
Modeling the Cleveland and Pittsburgh during the PennCentral era starting on the Cleveland lakefront and ending in Mingo junction
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