[RP TownTalk] New-Old Topic: Railroad Crossing Safety

[Vernon Archer]

Lisa,

Your question is very worth asking and I'll try to answer it as
straightforwardly as I can.  The crossing was repaired and according to the
CSX is working correctly.

When you ask "could this happen again" I certainly cannot guarantee that any
mechanical/electrical system will never fail.  I can say it is highly
unlikely to fail in a way that leaves the crossing open--they design the
system so that it SHOULD close if it fails, not stay open.

We do all though have a recent example that the system can fail and leave
the tracks open, so I think it is ALWAYS wise to look both ways and be aware
when crossing the tracks.

While on the topic, I believe that the same approach should be taken with
traffic lights.  They too have failed in the past (not too mention people
run them occasionally), and a wise person will continue to check the
side streets regardless of what the signal says.

Drive defensively seems a good motto to me ;-)

Best wishes,

Vern

On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 1:29 PM, <lisagrob at verizon.net> wrote:

>  A month or so ago I believe it was Dwight that observed the railroad
> gates not activating as appropriate and trains coming through without any
> notice to vehicles on Queensbury. Someone had replied that the electronic
> system was being worked on. Understood. But you can't just let vehicles go
> across the tracks when trains are coming through.
>
> I want to know - could this happen again? Are we taking our lives in our
> hands every time we cross the tracks?
>
> I am raising this again because I didn't hear back from anyone on this when
> I initially raised my concerns on this list.
> -Lisa Grob
>
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-- 
Vernon Archer, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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