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

[Lisa Grob]

Thanks very much. I am glad to hear that it is at least designed to have the
gates come down in the event of failure - even if that can't be guaranteed.
One challenge to looking both ways as you cross the tracks - it's sort of
difficult in a car until you are actually on them!

 

  _____  

From: Vernon Archer [mailto:varcher at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:41 AM
To: lisagrob at verizon.net
Cc: TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] New-Old Topic: Railroad Crossing Safety

 

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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