DOT to Bethel: NO TRAFFIC WARNING SIGNS NEEDED AT TRAIN CROSSINGS (9th UPDATE)

Reported by Paula Antolini
(9th UPDATE)

I received a response today from the Acting Rail Administrator of the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), after Governor Dannel Malloy forwarded my email (to his office) from several weeks ago, to the attention of the DOT, regarding getting traffic warning signs installed at Metro-North train crossings, particularly on Greenwood Avenue in Bethel.  (Signs that warn of malfunctioning train gates and a train approaching etc.)  I had also spoken to two individuals from the DOT and from Metro-North and other officials too, previous to sending the additional letter to Malloy.

Despite numerous residents voicing complaints and signing a petition that now has 268 names on it (so far) and this complaint information being passed along to Malloy and the DOT, the DOT has now stated they do not feel the necessity to install traffic warning signs at the train crossings at this time.

The DOT said they think the present "Stop and Warn" system is sufficient, even though residents say they do not necessarily see the train approaching before they find themselves too close to it.

See a full explanation in the letter below:


Dear Ms. Antolini:

Governor Malloy has forwarded your email dated March 4, 2014, regarding  your  concerns about the at grade rail crossings in the Bethel area, to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) for a response.

The Department is aware of the recent problems with the Danbury Branch Line grade crossing warning systems.  In December, the Department completed a project on the rail line which included the installation of a new signal system and grade crossing warning systems.  The Department and Metro-North Railroad are evaluating these performance issues with the vendor who supplied the equipment.  A technical committee has been formed to address these concerns and make recommendations for repairs.

In the interim, Metro-North Railroad took appropriate actions in ensuring safe operations at the crossings through the issuance of a “Stop and Warn” order to all trains operating on the line.  The “Stop and Warn” order requires the train engineer to bring the train to a stop prior to traversing the at grade crossing.  The train can only be moved through the crossing after the engineer ascertains the crossing gates are activated and fully horizontal.  This  “Stop and Warn” train movement requires vehicle operators to adjust their normal routine when approaching the subject crossings.

Until the necessary repairs can be made to the system, the “Stop and Warn” order will remain in effect at the crossings to ensure safety.  We believe this established operational procedure is a suitable mechanism to ensure safe operations and prefer not to install signs that are not typically used with grade crossings. Traffic Engineering uses the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTC) to make decisions on signage, and, in this case, determined that no  signage for this particular situation should be added.  As technical solutions are identified, implemented and tested, we are restoring crossings to normal operation.

Thank you for contacting the Governor with your concerns and please be assured that the Department will continue to monitor the conditions on this line to ensure safe conditions.

Sincerely,

Richard T. Jankovich
Acting Rail Administrator
State of Connecticut
Department of Transportation
50 Union Avenue, 4th Floor West
New Haven, CT  06519

*****

Also view video of train at Greenwood Avenue crossing in Bethel, CT, photographed on February 21, 2014, courtesy of Marc Moorash, here: http://vimeo.com/88117384. 

This is a typical day on Bethel's main street. The video reveals 5 cars driving quickly over the Greenwood Avenue train tracks as a train is closely approaching the road crossing. A school bus sits waiting on the other side of the tracks (on the left side of the video screen). The train gates are still in the up position, no train horn is blowing and no conductor descends out of the train to try and direct traffic. The train signal lights and bells do not start operating until AFTER five cars have quickly driven over the train tracks in front of the moving train, where the train is now very close to the edge of the road crossing. The gates eventually come down, whether by manual release or finally by a tripped signal, we do not know. Lights flash and the bells continue to ring as the train then proceeds through the road crossing, blowing its horn four times loudly.