The MBTA Inspector who was on scene told me the woman driving the car was ok. She turned onto what she thought was a street, got stuck, and then the crossing lights started flashing, so she bailed out.
Currently they're trying to recover the car from where it settled on the back of the hill behind Conway Park. They recently installed a utility building along the old 3rd siding there which makes it impossible for the tow trucks to get down there at an angle they can use to recover the vehicle. I think they're going to try to winch it out from about 40' away and just drag it.
There are gates that are prominent and visible, and the area is fairly well lighted.
I'm glad that all are okay - sounds kind of epic. Not sure what could be done to prevent this, though. I wonder if a GPS told her to turn onto the street that is parallel to the tracks but doesn't get to Park St. directly?
The tracks there parallel Ivaloo St., which is about another 100' further south. If she were looking to take "the next right," I could easily see someone not familiar with the area mistaking that crossing for a street in the dark.
At least, better than the other places where people have done this. If you pull back up toward Somerville Ave., there is a large street light directly over the drop gate, and the drop gate is right up against the roadway, sticking out and visible.
Do people just not process what a railroad crossing looks like? This seems to be happening a lot lately (although it could just be that we hear about it when it happens).
A few years ago we had another vehicle strike during rush hour. The driver ignored all the signs saying, approximately, "don't be a dumbass," and got stuck with nowhere to go when the train came and traffic in front of him didn't move. When the cops asked him why he ignored the signs, he said he didn't think it was an active right-of-way, because people don't take trains anymore (or words to that effect).
Sensors detect approaching trains and turn traffic lights green so traffic will flow and clear. Much the same concept of light preemption for emergency vehicles.
Will the crossing be more or less safe with the GLX adding another active track (or two?) and a bike track? For the $2.2+ Billion, a second street light should fit in the budget.
Paint lines as though it was a normal street, perpendicular to the tracks. The operator may see a an opening for a turn but would have to cross "another line", so to speak.
I ride through there at rush hour and it only rarely crosses the tracks and only then when there is activity at the firehouse on Somerville Ave or other emergency.
They could get rid of that in a more simple manner: no parking 4-6 pm would open up the right lane for right turn only.
I suppose it couldn't hurt. But, my guess is that someone who doesn't notice the obvious existence of railroad tracks, crossing gates, "RR Crossing" signs, etc. is probably also not going to notice the painted lines.
I live right around the corner from here. It's pretty hard not to realize that's a train track. People need to wake up. Driver is very lucky from the reports. Glad they made it out alive.
People have to make driving Job # 1 , and give up on the distractions. Those tracks have been there since dinosaurs roamed Somerville, and I would guess people are aware they are there from going over them many times.You got to take this stuff seriously.
Comments
Driver is OK
The MBTA Inspector who was on scene told me the woman driving the car was ok. She turned onto what she thought was a street, got stuck, and then the crossing lights started flashing, so she bailed out.
Currently they're trying to recover the car from where it settled on the back of the hill behind Conway Park. They recently installed a utility building along the old 3rd siding there which makes it impossible for the tow trucks to get down there at an angle they can use to recover the vehicle. I think they're going to try to winch it out from about 40' away and just drag it.
smh
There are gates that are prominent and visible, and the area is fairly well lighted.
I'm glad that all are okay - sounds kind of epic. Not sure what could be done to prevent this, though. I wonder if a GPS told her to turn onto the street that is parallel to the tracks but doesn't get to Park St. directly?
Street View of Train Crossing
Swirls , first your link took
Swirls , first your link took me to the Readville tracks near the former Mayor's house , then to University Ave Westwood trackage .
Odd
Should be fixed - I'm getting 34 Park St., Somerville.
Most likely, yes
The tracks there parallel Ivaloo St., which is about another 100' further south. If she were looking to take "the next right," I could easily see someone not familiar with the area mistaking that crossing for a street in the dark.
Pretty good lighting there
At least, better than the other places where people have done this. If you pull back up toward Somerville Ave., there is a large street light directly over the drop gate, and the drop gate is right up against the roadway, sticking out and visible.
Do people just not process what a railroad crossing looks like? This seems to be happening a lot lately (although it could just be that we hear about it when it happens).
They really don't
A few years ago we had another vehicle strike during rush hour. The driver ignored all the signs saying, approximately, "don't be a dumbass," and got stuck with nowhere to go when the train came and traffic in front of him didn't move. When the cops asked him why he ignored the signs, he said he didn't think it was an active right-of-way, because people don't take trains anymore (or words to that effect).
A fix exists for that
Sensors detect approaching trains and turn traffic lights green so traffic will flow and clear. Much the same concept of light preemption for emergency vehicles.
Lots of devices protect people from themselves.
What will it look like with the GLX?
Will the crossing be more or less safe with the GLX adding another active track (or two?) and a bike track? For the $2.2+ Billion, a second street light should fit in the budget.
it wont
GLX stops far before this crossing. Way before. This crossing is half way between Porter and Union Squares.
Also, GLX will have *no* grade crossings
The other branch will parallel the Lowell commuter rail tracks, which don't have any grade crossings until you get to West Medford.
Not the GLX track
That's the Lowell Line.
This is the Fitchburg Line track.
GLX goes along the Fitchburg tracks too
but only as far as Union Square. Once that's done, people will likely start agitating to get it extended to connect to the Red Line at Porter Square.
OK thanks for the info
Somerville is blessed with rail lines.
An historical day for the ages
Markk has said something positive about a mode of transportation that is NOT the automobile!
Call me Cybah if you must,
Call me Cybah if you must, but I'm not sure he wasn't being sarcastic.
LOL Scratchie
cute
*slaps you*
Get a room, you two
:-)
They could add visual queues...
Paint lines as though it was a normal street, perpendicular to the tracks. The operator may see a an opening for a turn but would have to cross "another line", so to speak.
Queueing is sometimes a problem here
but not at 6:15 on a Saturday night.
Pretty rare, actually
I ride through there at rush hour and it only rarely crosses the tracks and only then when there is activity at the firehouse on Somerville Ave or other emergency.
They could get rid of that in a more simple manner: no parking 4-6 pm would open up the right lane for right turn only.
Yeah, but...
I suppose it couldn't hurt. But, my guess is that someone who doesn't notice the obvious existence of railroad tracks, crossing gates, "RR Crossing" signs, etc. is probably also not going to notice the painted lines.
I live right around the
I live right around the corner from here. It's pretty hard not to realize that's a train track. People need to wake up. Driver is very lucky from the reports. Glad they made it out alive.
People have to make driving
People have to make driving Job # 1 , and give up on the distractions. Those tracks have been there since dinosaurs roamed Somerville, and I would guess people are aware they are there from going over them many times.You got to take this stuff seriously.