@OhioInvestigator yes I have been there, and have easily avoided the situation by NOT STOPPING ON THE TRACKS. A more cost-effective solution would be to pay attention and NOT STOP ON THE TRACKS.
The most dangerous railroad crossing in Illinois! As of 2006, there had been 28 crashes in 29 years. The crossing is longer than a football field and, especially at rush-hour, vehicles can get backed-up on the crossing. The vehicles have no where to go! Imagine you are moving down the street at rush-hour with bumper-to-bumper traffic going 25-35 mph. Then, the traffic light ahead turns RED. Traffic slows, then stops. You, unfortunately, get stopped on the crossing--here comes a train!
@ma7799 I challenge you to spend some time (like 4 hours) at West Grand Ave. and then tell me that the traffic light situation doesn't cause back-ups on the tracks. According to your scenario, EVERY vehicle would have to stop at the white stop-bar and wait for a space 300 feet away on the other side. BTW, have you ever been to this crossing? I spent a lot of time there. You should check with the Elmwood Park Mayor. HE SAID, "The only safe way is to separate the trains from the traffic."
I've got a much cheaper solution that would be about 95% effective. This would be to interwire the stoplights so that the eastbound light will turn green about 2-4 seconds after the crossing gates have finished lowering. (This will clear the tracks of vehicles) The westbound light would stay red, (So drivers going west don't get confused) as would 76th Ave, which the latter won't turn green after traffic has cleared the rail crossing completely. (So traffic on 76th Ave doesn't get bogged down)
@OhioInvestigator
It is "dangerous" because idiots stop on the tracks, despite that there are signs at the crossing that say DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS!
@OhioInvestigator
yes I have been there, and have easily avoided the situation by NOT STOPPING ON THE TRACKS. A more cost-effective solution would be to pay attention and NOT STOP ON THE TRACKS.
The most dangerous railroad crossing in Illinois! As of 2006, there had been 28 crashes in 29 years. The crossing is longer than a football field and, especially at rush-hour, vehicles can get backed-up on the crossing. The vehicles have no where to go! Imagine you are moving down the street at rush-hour with bumper-to-bumper traffic going 25-35 mph. Then, the traffic light ahead turns RED. Traffic slows, then stops. You, unfortunately, get stopped on the crossing--here comes a train!
@ma7799 I challenge you to spend some time (like 4 hours) at West Grand Ave. and then tell me that the traffic light situation doesn't cause back-ups on the tracks. According to your scenario, EVERY vehicle would have to stop at the white stop-bar and wait for a space 300 feet away on the other side. BTW, have you ever been to this crossing? I spent a lot of time there. You should check with the Elmwood Park Mayor. HE SAID, "The only safe way is to separate the trains from the traffic."
I've got a much cheaper solution that would be about 95% effective. This would be to interwire the stoplights so that the eastbound light will turn green about 2-4 seconds after the crossing gates have finished lowering. (This will clear the tracks of vehicles) The westbound light would stay red, (So drivers going west don't get confused) as would 76th Ave, which the latter won't turn green after traffic has cleared the rail crossing completely. (So traffic on 76th Ave doesn't get bogged down)
I think the bell sequence should also change. I don't like this continuous ring. I think they should stop when the gates go up.