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Bells and Whistles Safety Cameras to Police Arizona Railway

 
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RobBrady
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:06 pm    Post subject: Bells and Whistles Safety Cameras to Police Arizona Railway Reply with quote

El Mirage, Arizona plans to install safety cameras at rail crossings in an effort to deter impatient motorists who ignore warning lights and drive around crossing barriers. The system includes a microphone that records the bell warning sounds and whistling from approaching trains.

In the United States a train must have a working bell and a whistle or horn that must be sounded four times as the train approaches crossings. That said, some US cities have passed laws prohibiting the use of bells and whistles due to noise complaints.

The argument against the use of full barriers, which block the full width of the road and therefore the track, is that when motorists get stranded on a crossing with half-width barriers, an opportunity still exists for escape.

Two other U.S. cities already are using railroad-crossing safety cameras, Grand Prairie and Houston, both in Texas. The fine for violation is $150.

Back in 2007, more than 3,000 UK drivers were flashed on a Bridlington level crossing and over 1000 prosecuted - most of who claimed they were innocent. They claimed the three-second amber warning lights didn't leave enough time for them to stop safely.
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Tim Buxton
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Bells and Whistles Safety Cameras to Police Arizona Rail Reply with quote

RobBrady wrote:

The argument against the use of full barriers, which block the full width of the road and therefore the track, is that when motorists get stranded on a crossing with half-width barriers, an opportunity still exists for escape..


Yes, imagine it. You're driving along and you inexplicably break down and stop right in the middle of a level crossing without any warning! I wonder how many times that has actually happened to someone who didn't drive onto the crossing knowing full well that their exit was blocked by a tailback.....
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RobBrady
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

According to Network Rail UK, every year, over 2,000 pedestrians and motorists are reported to have misused a crossing. It must be a much higher number that go unreported.

I'm sure tragic accidents do happen, but how can the authorities be absolutely sure that those hit when stationary between the barriers weren't suicides?

Also, has anyone heard of reports of pedestrians being identified (recognised by local police) and prosecuted on video evidence of them crossing closed barriers?
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Tim Buxton
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RobBrady wrote:
According to Network Rail UK, every year, over 2,000 pedestrians and motorists are reported to have misused a crossing. It must be a much higher number that go unreported.

I'm sure tragic accidents do happen, but how can the authorities be absolutely sure that those hit when stationary between the barriers weren't suicides?

Also, has anyone heard of reports of pedestrians being identified (recognised by local police) and prosecuted on video evidence of them crossing closed barriers?


The only tragic accident I can think of is an old man who was crossing an AHB crossing on the south coast when it is thought that he had a heart attack. He was struck by a train and was killed, although whether it was the train or the heart attack that did it is unclear.

There was no suggestion that he was a suicide candidate nor that he tried to jump the barriers, IIRC.

Most of the collisions on level crossings are willful neglect.

Generally, barriers don't have video recording equipment and only full width remote crossings have any surveillance on them at all in most cases, although I do think that the Police put some surveillance gear at Reigate Level Crossing a short while ago and felt a few collars based on what they saw.
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worried
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a case in the last week In I think Norfolk where a lady slid on the Ice at a crossing and glance hit a van, they tried to push her off the crossing but was hit by the train, the Woman was killed. The time from Barrier down to train is only a matter of seconds Sad

see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7811928.stm
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pcaouolte
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

worried wrote:
... In I think Norfolk ...

This very sad incident happened near Spalding in Lincolnshire.
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pendlemac
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

pcaouolte wrote:
worried wrote:
... In I think Norfolk ...

This very sad incident happened near Spalding in Lincolnshire.


According to witnesses she was trying to reverse the car off the tracks and the barriers came down. One person was quoted as saying they thought she was trying to 'save the passengers' which is odd given that the train weighs 100 ton plus. Trains have been derailed by cars but that's usually when a solid part of the car ( engine maybe ) has got caught in points or something.

Simple advice :-

If your car ends up on the tracks GET EVERYONE OUT and away from the track then ring the signalman from the crossing. They may not be able to stop the train but at least you will be safe.
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pcaouolte
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have never been in this situation but I doubt that the brain would process thoughts clearly whilst stranded on a very icy level crossing with a train approaching.

Your advice is sensible but may not come immediately to mind in a panic situation.
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