[VIDEO] COMPLETE DISCONNECT: Who's in Charge of Train Crossing Gates and Traffic Warning Signs? (7th UPDATE)

Report and Photos by Paula Antolini

View video of train from February 21, 2014 here (by Marc Moorash).

The malfunctioning MTA/Metro-North railroad crossings safety system in the town of Bethel CT and other nearby locations is causing a hazard and no one seems to be able to fix it.  

I am referring to the MTA/Metro-North railroad signals in the 70-million-dollar "Danbury Signalization Project" system revitalization, and also the traffic warning signs request from residents, which is an additional traffic safety issue for motorists, stemming from the original MTA project failures.

View the video here: https://vimeo.com/88117384 shot by former Bethel resident Marc Moorash in the early afternoon of February 21, 2014.  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.

Is this too much of a dangerous situation?  Residents think so, especially when there are no traffic warning signs ahead of time, to alert motorists the train is so close and gates are not working properly.  

A petition to get these traffic warning signs on Greenwood Avenue was started by Bethel resident Hallie Kerrigan and presently has 262 signatures. About 200 signatures were received in the first 3 days alone, and that number has been climbing steadily since it started in mid-February 2014.

Officials have been made aware of the petition and residents' comments on it, however, residents are still waiting for someone to install traffic warning signs on the road approach to the tracks, or even have someone come to inspect the location.  They fear something bad will happen if this safety issue is not taken care of immediately.  

Also, view the photos on this page to see the poor condition of the railroad train crossing gates equipment at the Greenwood Avenue train crossing in particular.  Photos show much rust and exposed wires with electrical tape hanging down.  Could this contribute to the malfunctions?  Is this good maintenance?  Whose responsibility is it to maintain this equipment, the MTA/Metro-North?   

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After months of investigation as to who is responsible for the present system failure and problems caused by the failing railroad system, we still have no answers. There is no date of completion for the fix either.

It seems there is also a disconnect between agencies or officials, regarding who is responsible for safety issues and/or repairs, or who should supply the traffic warning signs.  

There was also a problem with some officials misunderstanding that the road approach issue is a separate, yet connected, issue to the train gates malfunction issue. In fact, the train gates malfunction issue is what caused the present additional safety problems on the road approach, where numerous motorists are simply not aware the of train gates are malfunctioning and they find themselves suddenly in front of the path of a moving train as they are crossing the tracks, not necessarily knowing it is directed to stop at each crossing now.  

Residents feel that temporary traffic warning signs would help alleviate some of these safety issues until the railroad system can be fixed.

Lately the outcry of residents is finally having some impact (although no traffic signs in sight yet).

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When Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker was first made aware of the traffic warning signs request in mid-February 2014, he said, "That's the first suggestion I've ever heard that it should be done," and also, "That's a good idea."  See interview in Patch story from February 14, 2013 here:   http://bethel.patch.com/groups/paula-antolinis-blog/p/i-almost-ran-right-into-the-path-of-a-train-th...   

Knickerbocker released a public statement on February 19, 2014, that referred to the signage request and he stated in part, "Several residents have asked that temporary signage be placed on Greenwood Ave to warn drivers of the malfunctioning signal system. We have forwarded this request to state DOT officials, as that department has sole authority for signage at the Greenwood Ave railroad crossings; the town is not permitted to place signage in this area. DOT has not yet responded to this request, but additional updates will be posted when they do."  

Knickerbocker received a request on February 18, 2014 to add the train gates and traffic warning signs topic to the agenda, along with presenting the petition to the board at that time, at the next Board of Selectman meeting, on March 4, 2014.  He did not approve the request, stating, "Regarding your request, it will not be added to the next Board of Selectmen's meeting agenda as a separate discussion item, primarily because this issue is not within the authority of the town.  The disposition of the crossing gates, the railroad signal system and the temporary street signage you have requested all fall under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation.  The town of Bethel does not have the authority to place traffic signage, whether temporary or permanent, without the approval of the State Traffic Control Division. Although it will not be an agenda item at the next meeting, you are welcome to address the issue under 'public comment.'  As I may have mentioned in our phone conversation, I have been monitoring the situation closely and discussing with railroad officials and our own police officials, I will provide an update during the First Selectman's report at the next meeting."  

Regarding the MTA/Metro-North train gates malfunction problems, Knickerbocker said he is presently aware of the "stop and warn" protocol, where trains are now required to stop at each crossing. In the meantime, as far as railroad system repairs are concerned, he said, "We have been advised by MTA officials that they are waiting for the system’s vendor to devise a solution. At this time the MTA is unable to estimate when the system will be repaired."

Knickerbocker also said, "Bethel PD continues to monitor the train activity and is satisfied that this procedure is safe."

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Bethel Police Chief Jeffrey Finch is also well aware of the train gates malfunction issue and request for the traffic warning signs, and said, "I think it's very unfortunate, it's very confusing to the public, I understand that, that they are worried about it.  MTA/Metro-North says they are stopping at everything to make sure it is clear before they pass, and I have witnessed myself, they are doing that.  Of course there's human error, would some engineer not do that? It would be unlikely right now, especially after what's happened in NY.  I think they are probably being very careful.  Frankly, what they are doing now is safer than having a set of working gates."  

Finch felt that the MTA wants to get the gates working as fast as possible because they want to be able to go through the road crossings at 30mph and not have to stop at each crossing.  He said they have absolute authority along the railroad line, given to them by the state of CT, who makes all the rules and gives them authority to operate. Whether that's in conjunction with Federal authorities or not, Finch was not sure.  He also suggested calling the State Police.  

Finch also said, "You need to go to your elected officials and start making demands, officials that represent this area."

When asked if Greenwood Avenue is a state road Finch replied, "It's a state road, just as 53 or 58.  If you want to have signs, I have no objection.  If you wanted to have a sign up there warning the public that the gates are malfunctioning or presently unreliable, or say be careful, I see nothing wrong with that, but I can't put that sign up there and neither can Knickerbocker. If this is going to continue for some time I think putting up a sign to warn the people is a good idea."  

"We're on top of it but there's nothing we can do to change it. We have no authority to erect signs. We're very aware of it and we're keeping an eye on it, and trying to make sure they're doing what they say they're doing, which is stopping and using due care and all of that," said Finch.

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A few days ago I spoke with the CT Department of Transportation (DOT) Senior Transportation Engineer Steve Curley. He said they are aware that there could be problems with the train signal controller device, manufactured by Simmons, and these are being reviewed.  

However, Curley said that there might be a problem with the signal triggers to the traffic lights at the Greenwood Avenue crossing, as well as in the "railroad pre-emption phasing" which is the timing normally set to make sure the crossing is clear of cars and for gates to operate, before a train passes through the intersection.

He discussed at length a meticulous timing system that exists for the train gates to activate, and how these signals are processed in the signal controller device. When working properly, the Bethel warning system is supposed to activate 44 seconds before the Greenwood Avenue crossing.  This "railroad pre-emption phasing" was increased to 44 seconds when the railroad safety mechanism failure issues were realized, and they were concerned about a train approaching the crossing prior to 8 seconds before track clearance.  A "stop and protect" protocol was also put into place, where a railroad conductor is supposed to climb down from the train and stop traffic if the gates fail.  
 
Curley said "For now, where there are not active devices, the railroad is obligated to 'stop and protect,' which means conductors are required to stop and check to see if crossings are clear before proceeding through."  Curley indicated that there is a conductor and another railroad personnel aboard the train who receive special training in this "stop and protect" protocol.  

Curley discussed other possible problems which include false signal activations or "ghost signals."  Curley said the traffic lights are tied in with the train safety signals and when working properly they are supposed to hold back traffic.  

Curley did say he would investigate this matter more to see if Bethel needed traffic warning signs."

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On February 18, 2014, I spoke with another DOT official in the New Haven office, Gilbert Smart, who supervises the regulatory unit for the DOT, he said.  His comments about the Greenwood Avenue crossing were, "This has not been the normal situation up there. They just installed a brand new system up there and they're having problems with it. No doubt about it."  

"This is not something that is a common occurrence," he said, "and prior to this new system being put into place, that was not the case that there was massive malfunctions on the north end of this rail line, which is what has been the case now."  

"What exactly is being done about it today I can't say for sure because they have the signal company who is responsible for the design, working with Metro-North up there, to try and alleviate whatever it is the problems are, I'm not exactly sure at this point.  But that is what it is for right now,"  said Smart.

"There's people thinking that it might be track conditions, it might be this or that but until they really find out what the issue is, what they have to do, and the responsible thing to do is, like you already know, these stop and warns where the train pulls up to the crossing and makes sure that there is no vehicle traffic on the crossing before they proceed," Smart said.

Smart continued, "Is that a pleasant way for motorists to have to operate over a crossing?  No. You know people see a train and a lot of times they might not realize that it is stopping or coming to a stop, so I understand their concern and their frustration. We're frustrated also."

Smart said, "There is a state statute that refers to this, when signals are malfunctioning, within 5 minutes there's supposed to be a local police authority there for traffic control, to handle traffic. It's a policing matter at that point." 

"At this point you can't just go and throw up signs all of a sudden.  Everything has to be MUTCD approved.  This is a traffic control situation," he said. 

MUTCD is the document that contains the rules and regulations for signage conformation.  He felt that specialty signs are never made, only signs in accordance with this manual are implemented. 

(Note: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation to specify the standards by which traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals are designed, installed, and used. These specifications include the shapes, colors, and fonts used in road markings and signs. In the United States, all traffic control devices must generally conform to these standards. The manual is used by state and local agencies as well as private construction firms to ensure that the traffic control devices they use conform to the national standard. While some state agencies have developed their own sets of standards, including their own MUTCDs, these must substantially conform to the federal MUTCD. The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) advises the FHWA on additions, revisions, and changes to the MUTCD. [wikipedia.org])

When asked if the DOT will address the issue of the traffic warning signs on Greenwood, or would they be installing signs, Smart said, "I really don't anticipate putting signs up.  This really shouldn't be a long term, long lasting situation."  I mentioned that it shouldn't be long term, but is.

"Then traffic control is needed out there," Smart said. "An actual police officer with a police car there controlling traffic, essentially would be the way to go." 

"At every crossing," Smart said, "because you know, it probably should be MTA police. It's the MTA company that is not getting this project squared away.  So it should be their police also out there directing traffic and making sure that the motorists aren't confused, that bus drivers aren't confused, and so on."

"At this time we keep waiting for this to get fixed. We keep thinking that this is going to get fixed," Smart said.
 
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So where are we on this matter? 

On February 18, 2014 there was a meeting that took place in Hartford, CT, where the new President of Metro-North Joseph Guilietti, and Metropolitan Transit Authority Chairman Thomas Pendergrast, were questioned by the and the CT Transportation Committee.  A 100-day plan from Guilietti to improve the railroad, will be forthcoming in March.  Governor Dannel Malloy said the plan must work or the railroad will face consequences from Connecticut.

Local towns along the Danbury railroad line are no closer to getting the traffic warning signs that they are requesting as a temporary safety solution to the present safety issues at train crossings, especially at the Greenwood Avenue crossing in Bethel, CT, despite a petition with 262 signatures on it.

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To view and sign the petition, go here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/bethel-ct-mta-fix-the-crossing-signal-on-greenwood-avenue-and-in-the...

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View the entire series of articles, from November 12, 2013 and on, about the MTA/Metro-North railroad system malfunctions, here:

November 13, 2013 (Original discovery)
Bethel Police Scene Last Night: What Is All The Secrecy?

November 22, 2013
2nd UPDATE: Bethel Police Scene at Railroad Crossing

January 4, 2014
PHOTOS: Danbury Metro North Train Accident Today January 4, 2014

January 6, 2014
Are There Railroad Safety Issues? 3rd UPDATE On Train Crossing Gate Malfunction.

January 6, 2014
RAILROAD SAFETY, 4TH UPDATE: Howard Permut, Metro-North President, Announced Retirement

February 7, 2014
Warning About Train Crossings and Delays on Danbury Branch of Metro North

February 14, 2014
"I almost ran right into the path of a train this morning!" (5th UPDATE)

February 16, 2014
METRO-NORTH COMPLAINTS: Grassroots Watchdog Group Formed to Empower Commuters

February 16, 2014
Petition to Get Warning Signs Placed at Train Crossings Already Has 77 Signatures (6th UPDATE)