Michigan first to test new rail crossings

NEWS RELEASE

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

************************* State-of-the-art rail crossing barricades to be tested in Wayne County

(December 3) - Denton Road in Wayne County's Van Buren Township is the first location in the United States to be equipped with unique retractable barricades that serve as warning devices at a railroad crossing.

The barricades, or "delineators," will rise from the pavement and discourage drivers from driving around lowered crossing gate arms when a train is approaching.

The delineators [shown] are part of a federal railroad crossing safety test sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Railroad Administration, and Norfolk Southern Railway, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

Starting in December, the Denton Road system, located on Norfolk Southern tracks, will be activated and monitored by cameras during a 17-month test period that will last until spring 2009.

"Transportation officials throughout the nation will be watching as we evaluate this new technology aimed at protecting people and saving lives," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "We believe the barriers have great life-saving potential for those motorists who make a quick, poor decision, and attempt to drive around lowered gates. This may be the solution to discourage 'gate running.'"

Intelligent Perimeter Systems (IPS), a developer of traffic control systems, recently completed installation of the barrier system.

The retractable barriers are housed in self-contained, modular cartridges recessed in the ground.

They are electronically deployed at the crossing when a train is approaching to discourage vehicles from driving around the crossing gates.

"Considering that accidents at railroad crossings occur approximately every three hours in the U.S., it is critical that these grade crossings have the best safety measures in place in order to prevent tragedies from occurring," said IPS President Mike Korodi. "With the recent installation of the Denton Road safety project, drivers and pedestrians in this area will be better protected with the assistance of these state-of-the-art safety barriers."

The delineators reach their full deployment in about six seconds, are activated by a signal from the crossing gate system and rise up just following the lowering of the gate arms.

They are implanted in the road in an L-shaped pattern on both sides of the east/westbound tracks and along the centerline.

All delineators are reflective, and in addition, the ones along the track line are lit for better visibility.

The design ensures the system works even if one delineator fails.

Wayne County maintains Denton Road and volunteered the intersection for the project.

"Quality of life is paramount in Wayne County. That's why we're honored to host the rail-safety project," said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

Denton Road is located on the Pontiac/Detroit/Chicago high-speed rail corridor, which includes Amtrak service.

There are also approximately 14 daily freight trains.

In 2006, there were 72 train/vehicle crashes in Michigan, resulting in 11 fatalities and 19 injuries.

Of the 72 crashes, 27 occurred at gated crossings.

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