WE ALL REMEMBER FOX RIVER GROVE RIGHT?

Transcription

1 National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference Fox River Grove 20 Years Later November 2, 2015 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) WE ALL REMEMBER FOX RIVER GROVE RIGHT? 2 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 1

2 Fox River Grove, IL October 25, Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 2

3 The Fox River Grove tragedy was thoroughly investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board 5 The premise behind preemption: When a train approaches a grade crossing near an intersection with a traffic signal, the sequence of the traffic signal should provide an opportunity for a driver stopped on the tracks to start up and move clear of the tracks before the train arrives. 6 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 3

4 To stop the normal operation of the signal, wherever it is in its sequence And change to a special control mode to allow road users to clear the track Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 4

5 The Safety Board issued numerous recommendations to many organizations. The reality is that many of the recommendations have not yet been implemented In fact, recent studies have shown that almost two thirds of the preempted traffic signals near grade crossings do not provide adequate time for a worst case vehicle to clear the tracks before the arrival of a train. 9 SO, WAS FOX RIVER GROVE AN ANOMOLY? ARE THERE OTHER CRASHES? IS IT A PROBLEM OR NOT? Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 5

6 Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) accident data indicates that inappropriately designed or wholly nonfunctioning pre-emption interconnections have contributed to a number of severe highway-rail grade crossing collisions. Source: FRA Technical Bulletin S With all of the progress that has been made, FRA accident data analyzed in recent years continues to show a significant increase in collisions at highway-rail grade crossings where preemption is in place. Source: FRA Technical Bulletin S Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 6

7 What did we learn from Fox River Grove? The design and operation of preemption is much more complex than originally believed 13 What did we learn from Fox River Grove? The design and operation of preemption is much more complex than originally believed In most cases, little or no periodic analysis of preemption operation is conducted 14 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 7

8 What did we learn from Fox River Grove? The design and operation of preemption is much more complex than originally believed In most cases, little or no periodic analysis of preemption operation is conducted In most cases, very little system testing is conducted, especially on the traffic signal What did we learn from Fox River Grove? The design and operation of preemption is much more complex than originally believed In most cases, little or no periodic analysis of preemption operation is conducted In most cases, very little system testing is conducted, especially on the traffic signal In most cases, preemption design and operation is not considered important by the road authority until an incident occurs Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 8

9 NTSB, FRA and FHWA have made a number of recommendations: To determine the proper operation and timing of preempted traffic signals To test and verify the proper operation of the two systems To install new technology to record and validate the operation of the systems 17 Sources: NTSB/HAR-96/02 FRA Safety Advisory FRA Technical Bulletin S FHWA-SA What improvements resulted from Fox River Grove? Improved engineering tools The FHWA / TTI preemption timing form Enhanced traffic signal control equipment In depth analysis and understanding of the complexity of preemption Actual studies conducted by road authorities and railroads identifying and implementing solutions 18 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 9

10 What else did we learn from Fox River Grove? The railroad is as much a victim as the driver This is of particular concern to FRA because the design and operation of pre-emption interconnections, from a traffic signal perspective, are outside the scope of the railroad's direct responsibility. Source: FRA Technical Bulletin S What else did we learn from Fox River Grove? Some states, such as Arizona, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas have initiated statewide programs to address preemption shortcomings. Many have not. 20 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 10

11 What else did we learn from Fox River Grove? Maybe not as much as we should have 21 What else did we learn from Fox River Grove? What can you say that you did? 22 Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 11

12 October 25, Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 12

13 Thank you for your time Copyright 2015 by CTC, Inc. (CTC) 13