Lincoln is a "quiet zone" where trains do not normally blow horns. That is a privilege granted when railroad crossings have been upgraded above minimum safety standards. The South Great Road crossing was upgraded to four quadrant gates and a median curb around 2010.
If the grade crossing is not working well, whether that is the railroad's fault or drivers' fault, the quiet zone should be revoked. Drivers will hear a loud whistle giving 15 seconds warning. More information on quiet zones: https://railroads.dot.gov/highway-rail-crossing-and-trespasser-programs/train-horn-rulequiet-zones/train-horn-rule-and-quiet Text of grade crossing safety regulations: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-II/part-234 While I have not read the FRA regulations or industry standards, my understanding is gates are far more likely to fail safe, i.e. to go down when there is no train. Railroads are required to report each failure to warn to federal authorities within 15 days. You could probably FOIA these. On 4/20/22, Joanna Owen Schmergel via Lincoln <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: > Another thought, I think we need to immediately put double sided signs up at > all four railroad crossings in Lincoln that say something like: > “Barriers can malfunction. Slow down and crack windows before crossing train > tracks” > My family and kids drive across those tracks umpteenth times a day…. > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone > > > On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 7:42 AM, Joanna Owen Schmergel via Lincoln > <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: > > Hi Folks, > Like my beloved late father used to say, “If it can get stuck in the “down” > position, it can also get stuck in the “up” position. When approaching train > tracks, always slow down and crack your windows!” > > > Train almost hits car crossing the tracks on Route 117 - Alice Waugh > > https://www.printfriendly.com/p/g/MaAa4F > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > > > > -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
