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Q: |
What should I do if I think
that a railroad crossing signal is malfunctioning? |
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A: |
Occasionally crossing signals
malfunction at highway rail grade crossings. It is important
all malfunctions be reported as soon as possible.Active
warning devices are set up as failsafe devices, meaning that
should a malfunction occur, the lights will flash and gates
remain in the lowered position providing the maximum
protection to the driving public. Signals malfunction for
numerous reasons, including inclement weather conditions.
To report malfunctioning grade crossing signals call the
signal hot-line at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
1-800-772-7677 (staffed 24 hours a day). This hot-line is
only for reporting malfunctioning flashing signals, flashing
lights, gates and bells. Other railroad problems should be
reported to the operating railroad or TxDOT. When reporting
a malfunctioning grade crossing signal to DPS it is very
important that you provide them with exact location, the
county, the town and the name of the street or roadway at
the crossing intersection. If available the crossing
identification number (DOT #) posted at each crossing is
very helpful. The DOT # (6 digits followed by a letter)
should be on a sign placed on the grade crossing signal mast
at all public crossing or on a structure located near the
crossing housing the railroad’s electrical equipment.
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Q: |
Where may I find
information on a particular crossing, for instance, DOT # ownership,
number of daily trains or other related railroad crossing information? |
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Q: |
The trains in my
neighborhood block the crossing for long periods of time. Is there a
time limit on how long they can block the crossing? |
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A: |
The state's railroad
anti-blocking statute (Section 471.007 of the Transportation
Code imposed a penalty against a railway company if its
train blocked a crossing for more than ten minutes) was
overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2001. A
copy of the Texas Attorney General's opinion from June 2005
can be found
online.
Because the federal courts have ruled that federal laws
preempt the state's anti-blocking statute, TxDOT does not
have any statutory or regulatory authority to compel a
railroad train to unblock a crossing.
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Q: |
As I approach a grade
crossing in my neighborhood, I am unable to see very far down the tracks
due to the overgrowth of vegetation. Is there someone I can contact to
have this taken care of? |
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A: |
(The Texas Administrative Code
Title 43 Rule 7.47) requires railroads to maintain the
vegetation on their right-of-way tracks at all public grade
crossings which do not have (electronic warning devices.)
The vegetation must be kept sufficiently low so that it does
not interfere with a motorist's view of the tracks the width
of the railroad’s right of way for distance of 250 feet on
either side of the center of the crossing intersection.
TxDOT personnel enforce this rule and should be contacted if
a violation is noted.If heavy vegetation is obstructing a
motorist's view of the tracks at any crossing, on any
railroad right-of-way or adjacent property next to the
tracks drivers should note the exact location of the
obstructed view and contact the TxDOT at 512-486-5127.
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Q: |
There are some tracks very
close to my home that I walk on to get to the store. Is this against the
law? |
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A: |
Yes, it is against the law to
walk on railroad tracks. Railroad tracks and right-of-way
are private property with access strictly limited to
railroad personnel and others granted permission by the
railroad. All other are considered trespassers. Over 1000
people are either killed or injured each year in the United
States while trespassing on railroad tracks, in rail yards
and on other railroad property.
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Q: |
Where can I find the rules
and regulations pertaining to railroad operations in the state of Texas? |
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Q: |
Is it OK for a pedestrian
to ignore activated warning devices such as flashing red lights and
lowered gates at a grade crossing? |
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A: |
No, the active warning devices installed at the grade crossing are not just
there for the safety benefit of the vehicle but also apply to the pedestrian.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and any other highway user may be cited for failing to
comply with crossing signals. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a
crossing. Always wait for the lights to stop flashing or the train to pass
before proceeding across the tracks.
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Q: |
When I am behind a school
bus as I approach a railroad grade crossing, the bus always stops. Why
is this? |
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A: |
State law requires all vehicles carrying passengers for hire, including school
buses, to stop at every railroad crossing, including those with active warning
devices. The operator of a school bus must stop the vehicle not closer than 15
feet nor farther away than 50 feet from the track. While stopped, the operator
is to listen and look in both directions for an approaching train or activation
of the crossing signals. The operator may not proceed until it is safe to do so.
Carriers of flammable materials such as gasoline must also stop at all
crossings.
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Q: |
Why is the engineer unable
to stop the train to avoid hitting a person or vehicle? |
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A: |
Trains can't stop quickly. An average train, weighing 12 million pounds is 4,000
times heavier than the average car. After applying the emergency train brakes, a
train with 100 cars traveling 55 miles per hour will take one mile or more to
come to a stop. The average car traveling 55 mph on dry pavement takes 200 feet
to stop.
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Q: |
Who are the unseen victims
of grade crossing and trespasser collisions? |
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A: |
Every 120 minutes in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. These
incidents result in thousands of deaths and injuries each year. But the train
crew involved in a fatal collision with a vehicle or a trespasser is also a
victim. The train crew is often renders emergency to vehicle occupants. The
impact of a vehicle-train collision has been measured by Canadian Pacific
Railway to exert a force of 300gs of gravity. This force far exceeds the limits
a human body can withstand in a collision. The train crew must deal with the
tragic consequences of a collision that they have little or no power to avoid.
Many crew members are unable to work for a time following a fatal collision.
Some have even left the industry due to the cumulative effect of multiple
collisions. |
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