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Grade Crossing Safety Improvements
Caltrain received $7.4 million this year from the San Mateo
County Transportation Authority to start a three-year project
of increasing safety at grade crossings throughout San Mateo
County. The project involves the installation of a combination
of features that will make it harder for pedestrians or cars to
gain access to the tracks when a train is coming.
Currently all at-grade crossings are equipped with active
signals, including barrier arms that lower as a train
approaches, with flashing lights and ringing bells.
Unfortunately, some people choose to disregard the
obvious warnings and danger and attempt to beat the
train across the tracks. The result may be the death
of a pedestrian or driver who thought he or she could
outrun the train.
To improve pedestrian safety, Caltrain will install barrier arms,
similar to those for cars, that will lower to block pedestrians
on the sidewalk when a train is approaching. Additionally,
railings will be installed on both sides of the sidewalk, leading
up to the tracks, which will prevent pedestrians from stepping
off the sidewalk and going around the barrier arms.
To improve driver safety, Caltrain will work with the local
municipalities to put in raised medians leading up to the tracks.
This median will prevent drivers from swerving around the
lowered crossing arms.
The risks associated with disregarding active signal arms,
lights and bells may seem obvious, but this project is part
of Caltrain’s continuing effort to improve rail safety and
prevent people from taking risks that endanger their own
lives, as well as impacting the crew and passengers.
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