“This remains a serious problem.”
Under increasing scrutiny caused by two recent deadly commuter rail accidents – one in New York and one in California – the Federal Railroad Administration has launched a campaign that it claims will help address the grade crossing problem.
One aspect of the plan calls upon local law enforcement agencies to increase their visibility at grade crossings and issue citations to drivers that violate rules of the road at crossings. More than 60% of train-vehicle collisions occur at crossings with some sort of automatic warning system.
Subsequent phases it’s said will deploy smarter uses of technology, increase public awareness of grade crossing safety, support improved signage, strengthen partnerships with states and local safety agencies, and call for new rail crossing safety funding.
The number of deaths and injuries from grade crossing incidents has dropped significantly during the last two decades. However, there are 250,000 grade crossings in the U.S. More than half of those are public at-grade crossings, the kind that drivers typically encounter. Only half of those have automatic-warning systems, and only a third have the flashing lights and gates.
“This remains a serious problem,” said Sarah Feinberg, Acting Administrator at the Federal Railroad Administration. “We can and should be doing everything we possibly can to keep drivers, pedestrians, and train crews and passengers safe at grade crossings.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
