Railroad Crossing Safety for Commercial Vehicles

Originally posted at www.impactrecovery.com

Railroad crossing safety takes on special importance where commercial vehicles are concerned.  When a train collides with a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the total amount of damage done is far greater than with a passenger car.  This is because commercial vehicles are significantly larger and weigh much more.  For example, consider a semi pulling a trailer being struck by a train that stretches more than a mile in length.  The sheer mass of the objects involved in the wreck makes the results for more catastrophic.

Additionally, commercial vehicles like school buses usually carry large numbers of people.  If a bus stalls on a crossing grade, then the results can be devastating for many, many people.  One of the worst accidents in transportation history occurred on October 25, 1995, when a school bus carrying high school students in Fox River Grove, Illinois was struck by an oncoming freight train.  Seven students died and 21 more were injured, some critically.

Studies show that many commercial drivers are under-trained when it comes to knowing how to cross rail grades safely.  Unless and until this situation changes, the specter of more deaths from train-CMV collisions will continue to plague communities across the United States.

It’s important to note that railway crossing rules for commercial vehicles differ in many important ways from those for passenger cars and trucks.  This article will look at safety procedures for both professional truckers and bus drivers.

CMV Procedures for Crossing Railroad Tracks

The first step in rail crossing safety begins with route planning.  Commercial drivers should avoid railroad crossings whenever possible.  Officials who manage school or commercial busses should do the same when mapping out routes for such vehicles.

In the event a rail crossing is unavoidable, drivers should use the following procedures:

1. Keep an eye out for warning signs that railroad tracks are near.  The classic X-shaped round sign is the best indicator.  Also look for tracks paralleling the road and listen for the sound of a train whistle nearby.
2. When approaching a crossing, begin slowing the vehicle well ahead of time. 
3. Come to a stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks.  Use a pull-out lane if available.
4. Turn off the vehicle radio, fan or other climate control devices, roll down the driver’s window, and listen for a train.  School bus drivers should open the folding door and make sure the students are quiet during this time.
5. Look both ways for a train.  Then look again.  This is known as “doing a double take.”  If trees, posts, buildings, or other objects block a clear view, then rock back and forth if necessary to see around them.
6. Look for a stop sign or traffic light on the other side of the crossing.  If there is one, then judge whether the vehicle’s length will fit in between the sign or signal and the tracks (remember that trains extend past the track’s width as much as three feet on each side).  If there’s any doubt that the vehicle will fit within the available space, then don’t attempt to cross at that point.  Remember that both busses and trucks overhang their rear wheels by several feet.  Many times, an accident has occurred because the driver forgot this crucial fact.
7. Be especially alert to railroad crossing safety when the crossing encompasses multiple sets of tracks.  This is common near large urban areas.  Be certain to look both ways for each set, using the double-take method mentioned earlier.  For example, if the grade has three sets of tracks, look both ways a total of six times.  Make sure all the sets are clear before proceeding forward.  Also, keep an eye out while crossing the grade, just in case a train does appear.
8. If there is no sign of an approaching train, and if there is sufficient room beyond the tracks for the vehicle to fit, then proceed carefully over the crossing.  Do so in the lowest possible gear.  Under no circumstances should gear shifting occur at a railway grade.  This can cause the engine to stall at the worst possible moment.
9. After making the decision to pull forward, don’t stop.  Occasionally, a crossing gate on the far side of the grade may start to close after a vehicle has started to cross.  If this happens, then keep going.  Break through the gate if necessary, but under no circumstances stop the vehicle while crossing the tracks.
10. There’s a popular myth that says trains only run at certain times of the day.  Don’t believe it.  Train schedules can be highly irregular, depending on delivery schedules and other factors.  So, if you see tracks, always assume a train might be just down the tracks.

What to Do if the Vehicle Stalls on the Tracks

1. GET OUT.  Don’t stop to retrieve belongings.  Just exit the vehicle immediately.  Bus drivers should direct their passengers to leave in an orderly fashion.  If there is an emergency door at the rear of the bus, then this is the time to use it.  Evacuating the vehicle as quickly as possible is the highest priority when a stall occurs.
2. Someone near the crossing is an emergency phone number for the railroad.  Find the number and call it as soon as possible, so that any approaching trains can be warned ahead of time.  Remember that trains require a mile or more (the length of 18 football fields) to come to a complete stop, so giving the engineer as much advance notice as possible is crucial.
3. Call local law enforcement to advise them of the incident.  Commercial and school bus drivers should contact their superiors as well, to apprise them of the situation.  Under no circumstances should bus passengers be allowed to return to the vehicle for any reason.  Keep everyone calm until help arrives.
4. If a train is in sight, then immediately start running TOWARDS it, not away.  At the same time, stay as far from the tracks as possible.  This will minimize the risk of being struck by debris when the crash occurs, and it WILL occur if the train can be seen or heard.

Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals

1. The crossbuck sign consist of two white boards intersecting each other in an “x” shape.  It, along with the round crossing sign, is a sure signs that tracks are close by.
2. Sometimes the crossbuck sign is combined with a smaller one underneath that says how many sets of tracks lie ahead.  For example, a site with three sets will have the crossbuck sign and the message “three tracks” below.
3. The high center/high profile sign alerts drivers that the crossing isn't safe for low-clearance vehicles to use. 
4. Quiet zone signs usually say “no train horn.”  They indicate that the surrounding community has met the requirements to ban train whistles from being sounded within its limits.  In place of the whistle are enhanced crossing notices, including audible alerts that can only be heard from a short distance away.

Conclusion


Being a commercial driver entails demonstrating the highest levels of professionalism and devotion to safety at all times.  At no other time is this more important than when crossing railroad tracks.  Following the procedures outlined in this article will help to ensure greater safety for both motorists and the public in general.  

A Look at the Basics of Railroad Crossing Safety

While highway safety systems get a great deal of publicity, railroad crossing safety is a vital yet often overlooked part of accident prevention.  The lack of attention paid to the issue is tragic, as statistics reveal these sobering facts:

• Each year, over 2,000 collisions occur between motor vehicles and trains in the US.
• Those accidents are the cause of more than 200 deaths and 400 injuries each year.
• According to a study by the DOT, 94% of those incidents were caused by driver inattentiveness or disregard for safety.
• Almost 50% of vehicle-train collisions occur at crossings where warning devices such as lights and/or warning gates are in place.
• A train-related wreck is 20 times more likely to result in death than a collision with another motor vehicle.

The reasons why train wrecks so often lead to death come down to physics.  Simply put, the larger and heavier a moving object is, the more damage it will inflict on whatever it hits.  The typical train weighs in excess of 3,000 tons and can be more than a mile in length.  Stopping such a massive vehicle requires a length longer than 18 football fields lined up one after the other.  Even if the engineer sees someone on the tracks ahead, he or she won’t have time to stop before striking the person.  

Facts like these become more real to the average person when the national media reports on a tragic wreck.  One such incident occurred on November 16, 2012, when four persons were killed and 17 others injured in a collision that involved a parade float and a train in Midland, Texas.  The truck pulling the float was unable to pull forward due to vehicles in front of it, trapping it directly on the crossing.  The float was intended to honor military veterans, and in fact, several ex-servicemen and women were among those killed or seriously hurt.

Given the lethal potential of train collisions and the high number of incidents that occur each year, what can be done to safeguard the public?  Installing impassible barriers at crossing sites is simply not practical.  More than 200,000 miles of railroad tracks crisscross the United States, and the rails intersect with public roads at tens of thousands of locations.  If officials are to prevent these accidents, then the key to achieving this goal is public education.

The following is a list of safety fundamentals that should be rigorously taught to drivers.

• First, understand the message that railroad crossing safety signs are meant to convey.  They’re not intended to simply say “stop” or “slow down before you cross.”  Rather, they’re telling drivers to perform three specific actions:

1. Stop completely, and do so at least 15 feet away from the tracks.
2. Look in both directions.
3. Listen for a train.  If you need to, then roll down the windows, turn off the vehicle’s radio and climate control, and stop talking on the cell phone, but be sure that there’s no sound of a whistle or of an approaching locomotive.

• Only after fully completing the above three steps should motorists proceed over the tracks.
• Before starting to drive over the tracks, make sure there’s enough room to cross them completely.  In the Texas incident discussed above, a vehicle ahead of the parade float prevented the driver from moving forward, leading to the tragic outcome.  Don’t get stuck behind vehicles that are on the other side of the crossing.
• Be especially cautious when faced with double tracks.  Many people only pay attention to the first set, starting over the grade when it’s clear.  All too often, they fail to notice the train coming right at them on the second set of rails.  So exercise a higher degree of awareness when facing a dual-track crossing.
• Don’t pass other vehicles when approaching a crossing.  The car or truck in front may be blocking a clear view of an approaching train.  Also, the speed used in passing may prevent the driver from stopping before reaching the tracks.
• To ensure rail transit pedestrian safety, never walk on or near railroad tracks.  Some people think that railway corridors are public property, and use them as their own private hiking trail.  Others walk their dogs or jog alongside the tracks.  This is especially dangerous because such activities distract people from what’s going on around them.  These persons also tend to forget that trains are three feet wider on each side than the tracks they’re on.  Remember that these routes are owned by private companies, and respect them accordingly.
• Never, ever try to “beat” a train.  Approaching locomotives create an illusion that fools drivers into thinking that the engine is further away than it actually is.  Foolishly trying to outrun a 3,000-ton vehicle is simply that – foolish.
• Don’t fall for the misconception that trains always run at scheduled times.  Some people think it’s safe to cross the local grade because “trains never come by at this time of day anyway.”  In reality, railway companies frequently get behind their schedule or run ahead of it in order to complete deliveries in less time.  The lesson for motorists is to always assume a train is coming.
• If a crossing gate in front of your vehicle lowers while you’re crossing the tracks, then drive straight through it.  Don’t hesitate.  Doing so could cost you your life, if indeed a train is approaching.
• Never drive around lowered gates when approaching a crossing.  If the gate appears to be malfunctioning, and if there’s no sign of an approaching train, then look for a number posted at or near the crossing.  This is an emergency line for the freight company.  Call them at the earliest possible moment to alert them to the problem.

Despite the best of railroad crossing safety, sometimes train wrecks occur anyway.  This is often due to the vehicle breaking down while crossing the grade.  This happens more often than most people think.  Driving over tracks can cause tires to stick, scrape the bottom of the powertrain, or cause other damage that disables a car or truck.  When this occurs, those in the vehicle should do the following:

1. Get out of the car or truck immediately.  Don’t try to grab things from the trunk, rooftop, or back seat.  Get at least 50 feet from the tracks.
2.  Look and listen carefully for signs of an approaching train.  If there’s no sign of one, then look for the freight company’s emergency number at or near the crossing.  Call them as soon as possible to alert them to the stalled vehicle.  DO NOT go back to the car or truck, either to retrieve items or to attempt to fix the problem.  In the moments you’re doing so, a train could show up.
3. If a train is approaching when the vehicle stalls, then everyone must exit it immediately.  The driver and passengers should then run TOWARDS, not away from, the train, taking care to stay as far away from the tracks as possible while doing so.  Many people mistakenly believe that running from the train is the best course of action, but in reality this will expose them to debris flying off the tracks after the collision occurs.

As mentioned earlier, public education is the key to preventing train-related accidents.  Officials should strongly emphasize railroad crossing safety, both for new drivers seeking their licenses as well for as seasoned motorists.  As with so many things in life, knowledge makes all the difference when being around trains.


Reposted from www.impactrecovery.com

Parking Lot Pedestrian Safety during Large Events

Parking lot pedestrian safety is always a priority for traffic workers, but it takes on a special urgency during major events.  During such times, the likelihood of accidents is greatly enhanced due to crowded conditions, larger numbers of motorized vehicles, and (in some cases) the heightened presence of alcohol and even illicit drugs.

Adding to the risks inherent in any large gathering is the fact that many law enforcement agencies are relatively inexperienced when it comes to crowd control.  This is especially true in rural areas, where low population densities are the norm except for a few days or weeks out of the year.  For example, a farming community in the American heartland may get by just fine most of the time with a police force consisting of five or six officers.  During the annual 4th of July fireworks display or county fair, however, these resources can be severely taxed, forcing local officials to rely on volunteers with limited training and narrow skill sets.

Another complicating factor is the fact that, during major events, crowd sizes may force locals to use areas for parking that were never intended for that purpose, such as open, grassy areas or even the yards of private homes.  Confusion over who has authority in such situations can lead to confrontations between officials and irate citizens and other potentially dangerous situations.

Solutions to Parking Lot Safety Issues

The key to avoiding these kinds of problems is foresight.  Almost all major events are known about well beforehand, giving officials ample time to prepare for them.  Such preparation should always include the following steps:

1. Determining approximate crowd sizes.  This can be based on a variety of metrics, such as population density, the number of attendees at past events, or even such data as ticket sales or public surveys.  Of course, a safety margin must be built into these estimates.  A good rule of thumb is to allow for a 20% margin of error.  For example, if a concert is expected to draw 10,000 people, preparations should be made to handle a crowd of 12,000.
    
2. Officials should confer with property owners to ensure that they are aware of how many vehicles can be parked in an area of a given size.  Supervisors of these areas should receive basic instruction in fire safety, crowd control, and how to respond to angry or irate persons.  They should also know how and when to contact emergency responders.
    
3. Points of entry for vehicles as well as pedestrian crossing zones should be amply and conspicuously marked, using parking lot signage, access barriers, and other crowd control devices that comply with MUTCD regulations.  If a community doesn’t possess such resources, then appeals should be made to neighboring towns and cities, or to state of federal agencies, to borrow them until the event is over.
    
4. Law enforcement officers and other official personnel should be highly visible, both in parking lots as well as established zones throughout the event.  If budgetary restraints limit the number of trained emergency responders available, then volunteers may be used, but only after appropriate screening and training measures.
    
5. Alcohol is almost always a key factor in public altercations.  However, its sale and/or possession may be necessary for the commercial success of the event.  At the very least, its consumption should be limited to clearly marked areas, and never be permitted in parking lots.
    
6. One way to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the event is to print up flyers advising attendees of where law enforcement officers, medical workers, and other emergency personnel stations are set up.  These pamphlets may also include some basic safety tips, such as being on the lookout for pickpockets and not displaying valuables or large amounts of cash.  They can be given to pedestrians as they exit the parking areas on their way to the event.
    
7. Some large events are likely to inflame passions and draw protests.  Examples include political gatherings and performances by controversial artists or musicians.  During such times, law enforcement officers, private security guards, and on-hand volunteers must be alert for signs of trouble and able to summon reinforcements on a moment’s notice.

Parking lot pedestrian safety is an important part of ensuring public welfare during large events.  With foresight and adherence to best practices, most accidents and other negative events can be prevented, enhancing everyone’s enjoyment of the proceedings.

Railroad Crossing Safety: Whistle Bans

Any doubt that train whistles enhance railroad crossing safety was removed in the early 1990s, when the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) issued an emergency ruling that trains passing through Florida must blow their whistles when nearing public crossings.  Known as Emergency Order 15, it overrode laws then in existence in seven counties and 12 cities in the Sunshine State, which prohibited train whistles after dark.  After it was implemented, the nighttime accident rate was reduced by 68%, in line with what it had been prior to the implementation of the bans.

Despite this fact, Emergency Order 15 wasn’t without its critics, such as groups that seek to reduce noise pollution.  In response to the controversy, the FRA conducted a nationwide study to gauge the role that whistles play in accident prevention.  The results showed that the signals lower railroad crossing accidents by 84% nationwide.  It was clear that train whistles play a vital role in enhancing railroad crossing safety.

To resolve the dispute, the FRA currently mandates the use of train whistles 24 hours a day at public crossing spots.  However, the ruling also allows communities to ban the use of the whistles, provided that certain supplementary safety measures (SSMs) are put in place.

Getting approval for these bans involves a long and complex procedure. The steps to achieving it include:

1. Identifying the specific areas that are to be designated as whistle-free.
2. Determining whether any of those areas can be automatically granted approval, under grandfathering provisions established by the FRA.
3. Ensuring that each public crossing in the area includes the SSMs required by the FRA.
4. Establishing that the SSMs in place sufficiently compensate for the loss of safety incurred by banning train whistles.
5. If any private roads cross the railroad corridors, additional studies must be conducted.  If the team that performs the study recommends SSMs at the crossings, then those must be put in place before the application for a local train whistle ban can proceed to the next step.

Full information on Emergency Order 15 and the actions that followed can be found online here.

Tips For Rail Crossing Safety

Trains strike a person or vehicle in the United States every two hours on the average, and death or severe injury is almost always the result.  Almost all of these incidents could be prevented by obeying basic rules of rail crossing safety, which include the following:

1. Never assume that trains pass by a crossing only at certain times of day.  Rail freight often ships on irregular schedules, making any time of day “train time.”
2. Slow down when nearing a crossing and look both ways.  Then do so again.
3. Never, ever try to “beat the train” to the crossing spot.  An oncoming train often causes an optical illusion, which makes it appear to be slower and further away than it actually is.
4. Do not cross channelizing devices intended to prevent motorists from crossing lanes and going around gate arms.
5. Never pass another vehicle when your car or truck is within 100 feet of a crossing.
6. Some vehicles must always stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses or trucks loaded with hazardous materials.  Be on the alert for them and be prepared to stop if one is ahead of you.
7. Noise in your vehicle can mask the sound of a train whistle.  Because of this, you should always turn off your radio and climate control when at a crossing.  Also, cell phones should never be used near such spots to ensure rail crossing safety.
8. Flashing lights, cross-bucks  stop signs, closing gates, and train whistles should always be obeyed.  If you see or hear any of these warning signs, stop at the crossing and don’t proceed until the train has passed.
9. Don’t shift gears while driving over railroad tracks.  Downshifting before reaching the crossing is highly recommended.
10. If you do stop for an approaching train, make sure you maintain at least a 15-foot distance from the tracks.  Remember that trains overhang tracks, sometimes by several feet.
11. Avoid using the crossing at all if you think that your vehicle may not have sufficient clearance to clear the tracks without problems.  This is especially important for people crossing tracks while using motorized wheelchairs.
12. Only cross tracks at a designated crossing spot.
13. Never use tracks as a walking path or shortcut.  Children should be taught to never play on or near the tracks.  Fishing from railroad trestles is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted.
14. If a crossing gate closes in front of you as you’re crossing the tracks, then go around it if you can.  If you can’t, then drive forward fast enough to break it.  The important thing is to get off the tracks immediately, whether or not you think a train is approaching. 
15. A gate closing in front of a vehicle is most likely a sign of a malfunction.  Get to a phone and call local emergency responders right away, so that repairs can be made as soon as possible. 

What to Do if Your Vehicle Stalls on the Tracks

GET OUT.  Exit the vehicle immediately and move as far from the tracks as you can.  If a train isn’t approaching, then call local emergency responders as soon as possible.  Be prepared to tell them exactly where your vehicle is located.

 If a train is in sight, then move TOWARDS it, away from its direction of travel.  This will minimize your risk of injury, in the event of a derailment or debris being scattered by the impact.

Gambling with rail crossing safety is never a good bet.  It’s better to be a few minutes late to your destination than to never get there at all.  Practicing train safety will protect you as well as other motorists, and help to ensure that everyone gets where they’re going alive and well.