ITM Noblesville car train crash with fatality

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:56 pm

The first time a crossing signal short-circuits and trips without a train present at a crossing with camera enforcement, it won't be just the camera box that will be arsoned or vandalized, but also the crossing signals themselves.

(In Baltimore and the surrounding areas, we have had at least six camera receptacles torched, and many more vandalized with paint, paintballs, blunt force, etc.)

crij · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:15 am **Posts:** 585

Alan Walker wrote:

...Another low tech way of discouraging runners at crossings? Install curbs or barrier strips along the centerline for 100 feet on each side of the crossing (when gates are employed). That prevents motorists from swerving around the ends of the gates and requires them to drive in the opposing lane for a significant distance to get around the gates. That creates an increased perception of danger and discourages most folks from trying. It's a low cost, high return method of risk reduction. In one case in Tennessee, a small town did this on their own initiative and the state department of transportation was sufficiently impressed with the decrease in reported close calls that the state reimbursed the town for the cost of the barriers.

Why not do what is done in other countries with high bike and pedestrian traffic, barrier closes the whole crossing. Just install the other 2 arms then they can't drive around the arm. Isn't this the same reason many places added short arms to close off the sidewalks (other then to stop the idiots ignoring the world while wearing headphones or texting)? Should be cheaper then adding the barrier. One peeve mentioned earlier, if there is a traffic light within say 100 feet (number pulled at random) of a crossing, install the light on the other side of the crossing, thus preventing an idiot sitting (or being trapped) on the crossing as the arm comes down.

Rich C.

Alan Walker · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:38 pm

The barriers that are most commonly used are the reflectorized flexible stakes. They are very inexpensive, costing less than $40 each. This works fine with existing two quadrant gate systems and eliminates the possibility of trapping a vehicle in the crossing. Much cheaper than adding additional gates and by channeling traffic, it prevents running the crossing. Stakes are installed for 100 feet on the centerline on either side of the crossing. Motorists would have to drive in the opposing traffic lane to get around the gate, risking a head on collision.