Re: Temper Temper
Author: mook
Date: 02-26-2015 - 16:24
The ultimate fix is to eliminate grade crossings, as has been done at least for main lines in Europe. Failing that, there are a few extra tech things that can be done. But ultimately if one of the drivers either intends to cause a wreck or has enough problems otherwise the 4000 lb. motor vehicle will get through pretty much anything you put in the way. Or else they will see the train coming and panic, placing the vehicle in a bad spot even if they get out.
Only tech fix I see that would help with the kind of thing that just happened at Rice might be for everybody to have OnStar or the equivalent, have it monitor your location at all times, have it recognize that you've entered railroad tracks, and then have it talk to the PTC (and CHP) and stop the trains. The privacy advocates would freak. Still won't work if it happens too quickly - physics wins.