Re: Metrolink derailment in Oxnard.
Just throwing this out there...
I have posted elsewhere before about this...but just for the record again...
On my travels to Sweden, they use 'smart' islands at level crossings on all of their high speed main lines. Nothing very advanced and the system has been around for years.
It consists of inductive loops in the pavement between the gates. Foul point either side of the ROW and the gate, between the rails (in the pavement), and where multiple tracks, between the mains.
When the system is at idle, a line side signal (nicknamed the 'deadskull') about 1000' (visible from at least 4000' sometimes 5000') flashes a yellow warning light.
When the system has the road closed and nothing is in the crossing (normal operation) the yellow signal is solid.
If the system has been activated and if the loop detectors detect a vehicle in the crossing the flashing lights remain flashing and the train will brake to avoid collision. I have personally witnessed this while there and it wasn't a normal service braking...nearly an emergency application.
In the video here:
2008-02-21 Trains around the Mölnbo at 0:34 you can see the 'deadskull in action, albeit backward as the train clears the remote crossing and the gates go up...the lights begin to flash.
PTC? Not needed. Works? Yes.