|
|
|
|
|
 |
Community IssuesCommuter TrainsBNSF has a very good record of working with commuter rail projects that can be done in a way that enables the existing and future needs of both freight and passenger rail to be met. Commuter trains and freight trains have been operating together on BNSF’s busiest route in Chicago since the 1860’s, which is a very good model for how successful such projects can be. In recent years, commuter rail service has also begun operating on existing or former BNSF right of way in Los Angeles, Seattle, New Mexico, and is now being developed in Denver and in Minnesota. BNSF will work with any responsible public agency to evaluate proposed passenger rail service under a set of commuter rail principles BNSF has developed. However, the decision to propose a new service or to continue existing passenger service must be made by a responsible public or quasi-public agency since the financial decisions to build and support on-going commuter rail operations rest with the public, not with BNSF. Crossing EmergenciesTo report a vehicle stalled on a crossing or to report false activation of crossing gates and lights call 800-832-5452 immediately. This emergency number is posted at all crossings on BNSF track and is staffed 24 hours a day. This number should also be called if a stopped train is temporarily blocking a crossing in an emergency situation. The train can then be disconnected at that crossing to allow emergency vehicles and personnel through. Crossing Gates and LightsThe determination as to which crossings should have active warning devices such as flashing lights and gates are made by a state agency, typically the Department of Transportation (DOT) in most states. Rail/highway crossing warning signage is for the benefit of the motorist. That's why the DOT in most states makes the determination as to which crossings are most in need of active warning devices such as gates and lights, much like a traffic department determines which street intersections need traffic lights versus stop or yield signs. Railroads equip all crossings with rail cross buck signs. Any upgrade from that to active warning devices is determined, and paid for, by the state. Railroads install and maintain the active warning devices once the equipment is acquired. OverpassesWhen most communities built roads across rail lines they had the option of grade separating the roadway over or under the track. Most chose the less expensive option which was to build the road at grade level with the tracks. Unfortunately that leaves motorists in potential conflict with trains. The ideal solution to this traffic conflict is to build enough overpasses or underpasses across rail lines so that motorists can safely cross over or under the train traffic without regard for when trains operate. That's how the federal highway system was built __ not only does it not have a single traffic light on it, there is also not a single at-grade rail crossing. Trains and motor vehicles safely pass and over and under each other without danger of collision or the need to blow a train horn. BNSF is working aggressively with the states and cities we operate through to enable more overpasses to be built over our track and to close the nearby crossings when an overpass is completed to improve the safety and quality of life of everyone involved. Train Horns
The proscribed sequence is two long soundings, followed by one short and another long. If the horn sequence is completed before the head end of the train occupies the crossing the crew is required to continue blowing the horn until it does. Trains are also required to blow the horn anytime track workers or construction workers of any kind, even on property adjacent to the track, are within 25 feet of a live track. Train crews will also blow in emergency situations when they see a person or animal on the right of way. The federal rule also requires the horns to blow at a sound level of at least 96 decibels. A train crew can also be fined by the FRA for not blowing enough. Quiet ZonesA Quiet Zone is a stretch of track where trains are no longer required to automatically blow the horn at public crossings except in emergencies. Communities can make a number of investments in additional grade crossing safety at crossings in order to qualify for a Quiet Zone. However, only the Federal Railroad Administration can grant a Quiet Zone under the new federal horn rule. You can learn more about the criteria on the FRA’s Quiet Zone web site. Another alternative to Quiet Zones is to close some of the crossings. Trains are not required to blow a horn if the crossings aren't there. The ideal solution, however, is to build more overpasses so that motorists can safely cross over or under the track without regard for when trains operate and then close the nearby crossings. Rough CrossingsRailroads are responsible for maintaining the crossing surface between the rails and typically up to one foot outside the rail in most states. The rest of the roadway’s approach to the crossing is maintained by the owner of the roadway, typically a city or county. That is why major improvements to crossing surfaces must often be coordinated between the railroad and the owner of the roadway in order for all of the necessary surface improvements to be made at the same time. Rough crossings on BNSF’s network can be reported to the Community Contact for your state listed under the Communities section of BNSF’s web site. Simply report the name of the road or street the crossing is on along with the name of the City or County and State involved. You can also simply report the crossing DOT number posted at the crossing which consists of six numbers followed by a letter. Every rail crossing has a unique DOT identification number and reporting this will also help us know precisely which crossing you are talking about. |
|
|||||||
