USA: A Time line of Brightline Fatalities

[MarkyT]

But not Brightline commuter trains, presumably!

Brightline passenger trains are fast and short so clear the crossings quickly. Note if a freight train has suitable rolling stock it might also be able to travel at up to 79mph on this route. Some other railroads run intermodals at such speed but I don't know if Florida East Coast does.

 

[renegademaster]

Have their been any derailments to Brightline trains due to these collisions? In Glendale in 2005 a suicidal man derailed a train by parking his SUV on level crossing and it killed quite a few people.

 

[Towers]

Have their been any derailments to Brightline trains due to these collisions? In Glendale in 2005 a suicidal man derailed a train by parking his SUV on level crossing and it killed quite a few people.

Chilling echoes of Ufton Nervet there.

It’s only a matter of time, surely. The fire engine incident must have come close I would have thought, one of those must weigh a fair bit.

 

[Meerkat]

That is not quite the same. Planes are 'controlled' by Air Traffic Control, pilots are disciplined and rarely bump into each other. The American railroads have very large numbers of level crossings, with a varying degree of safety and (in the case of Brightline as a High Speed railway) a far greater average of collisions between trains and other road vehicles. The crossings could be made safer / eliminated, but this would cost a huge amount of money and probably destroy the business case of the high speed passenger rail service.


They could, but this would be at Brightline's expense and also at the expense of public opinion towards Brightline (for causing widespread inconvenience), such that it would kill Brightline I suspect.

Expain to the the residents that living in a cul de sac is posher than a through road! How inconvenient can it be to close four crossings and still have one half a mile away? With a grid pattern road system it can't significantly add much distance unless the destination is very close.

 

[ac6000cw]

The decision to drive round lowered barriers is incredible! Do US grade crossings (on less-frequently encountered double or more lines) have signs similar to those in the UK saying 'Second train coming if lights continue to flash'?

I've never seen a sign like that, but in locations with multiple tracks they have signs saying how many tracks there are - e.g. see below (at Mance, PA on a very minor access road across a CSX mainline):

 

[Falcon1200]

Thanks @ac6000cw.

 

[ac6000cw]

Expain to the the residents that living in a cul de sac is posher than a through road! How inconvenient can it be to close four crossings and still have one half a mile away? With a grid pattern road system it can't significantly add much distance unless the destination is very close.

It is done in the US sometimes - I've driven through places where it's obvious a closely spaced set of crossings have been closed and replaced with a road overbridge/underpass or two.

 

[Towers]

I've never seen a sign like that, but in locations with multiple tracks they have signs saying how many tracks there are - e.g. see below (at Mance, PA on a very minor access road across a CSX mainline):

View attachment 172012

That’s awfully limited visibility if trains are rounding that bend at speed!

 

[ac6000cw]

That’s awfully limited visibility if trains are rounding that bend at speed!

It's low speed area (the climb to Sandpatch Summit), due to the curvature and gradients - max 35mph for passenger and 30mph for freight, I think. And the trains sound their (loud) horns - see my short video below. In the UK it would probably be some sort of occupation/farm crossing.

This is the location - https://www.google.com/maps/@39.8328619,-78.9405955,401m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[Beebman]

Another level crossing collision involving a Brightline service took place yesterday in North Miami Beach when a small car pushed its way under a barrier and was hit by a train resulting in one person injured. Local TV station WPLG 10 has a 30-second report which includes a dashcam video of the collision and scenes of the aftermath:

The same TV station has posted a longer unedited version of the dashcam video showing that the barriers were down for about 30 seconds before the collision:

 

[Krokodil]

And that would be easier than attempting to educate the dumb idiots (including, it would seem, assorted fire and police departments) that still don’t understand how to use grade crossings safely.

Florida's drivers do have a reputation. As the saying there goes, "if you don't like my driving, stay off of the sidewalk"

 

[ac6000cw]

Another level crossing collision involving a Brightline service took place yesterday in North Miami Beach when a small car pushed its way under a barrier and was hit by a train resulting in one person injured. Local TV station WPLG 10 has a 30-second report which includes a dashcam video of the collision and scenes of the aftermath:

The same TV station has posted a longer unedited version of the dashcam video showing that the barriers were down for about 30 seconds before the collision:

It's noticeable in the second video that the traffic lights and crossing lights are not interconnected at that location - the traffic lights are showing green when the crossing lights are flashing red (and both are at similar heights above the road and close together). On the other side - where the accident happened - they are both mounted on the same gantry, see https://www.google.com/maps/@25.925...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[bib]

I definitely remember watching an interesting video talking about this, although I can't seem to find it now. It said that before passenger trains were introduced the freight trains that ran on the lines were much slower and had a longer delay between the half barriers coming down and the train arriving, also you would then be stuck waiting as a mile long freight train trundled past, so lots of people used to jump the barriers 'safely'. But when the high speed passenger trains were brought in the gap between the barriers dropping and the train arriving was reduced, and people who didn't realise this were being caught out. Although you'd expect that number to reduce quite quickly after the new trains had been in operation for a while.

 

[MarkyT]

I definitely remember watching an interesting video talking about this, although I can't seem to find it now. It said that before passenger trains were introduced the freight trains that ran on the lines were much slower and had a longer delay between the half barriers coming down and the train arriving, also you would then be stuck waiting as a mile long freight train trundled past, so lots of people used to jump the barriers 'safely'. But when the high speed passenger trains were brought in the gap between the barriers dropping and the train arriving was reduced, and people who didn't realise this were being caught out. Although you'd expect that number to reduce quite quickly after the new trains had been in operation for a while.

UK safety authorities have always been concerned about AHBC (automatic half barrier crossing) first road warning to train arrival time. The official level crossing order for a site from the Secretary of State details the minimum, usually 27 seconds in modern installations. That's fairly easy as engineers simply set up the first strike in (trigger point) at the appropriate distance for the fastest possible train at the location. Also however, crossing orders state that no more than a very low proportion of trains must exceed a maximum time, as this can encourage road users to assume the crossing has failed and risk weaving around the half barriers. This is why alternative strike-ins are provided at many installations closer in to cater for different approach maneuvres by trains of different characteristics. A common example is stopping/non stopping control for where there is a station platform that some trains call at within the fastest through train strike in. A short strike in after the station, selected by the signaller, is used for stopping trains. Often a signal is added between the platform and the crossing, which holds the train briefly to ensure the minimum warning time is ensured. Many US crossings use predictor technology. These systems use special single ended track circuits that can detect the rate of change of resistance of the circuit through the rails as a train approaches. From that, the controller determines the train's speed and delays the warning start proportionally. Where crossings are located close to each other as on Brightline, strike in arrangements can be complex, where strike in zones overlap. I'm sure FEC (Florida East Coast, the infrastructure owner) crossings comply with minimum warning time today, but it's possible the old installations on the single line may have had to rely on non-predictive strike ins which for the slowest freight movements may have significantly inflated the road closed time.

 

[gravitystorm]

It's noticeable in the second video that the traffic lights and crossing lights are not interconnected at that location - the traffic lights are showing green when the crossing lights are flashing red (and both are at similar heights above the road and close together). On the other side - where the accident happened - they are both mounted on the same gantry, see https://www.google.com/maps/@25.9259732,-80.1546422,3a,75y,69.75h,91.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s3g7nEvUGYVI0mKLFmAcu2Q!2e0!6shttps://streetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com/v1/thumbnail?cb_client=maps_sv.tactile&w=900&h=600&pitch=-1.0240786518438227&panoid=3g7nEvUGYVI0mKLFmAcu2Q&yaw=69.74560718881784!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

I really wonder how this junction would pass any kind of safety audit. Having conflicting signals shown to the drivers is just asking for mistakes to be made.

Also, would crossings in the US also benefit from having the "skirts" hanging down from barriers that is so common here? It might make them more visually obvious. I can see how a narrow horizontal bar could get lost in the visual clutter in the typical American streetscape. The skirts have the advantage that they visually separate from one another when approaching, and so distinguish themselves more easily from the background image, unlike a single bar which just gets slightly visually wider as you approach.

 

[MarkyT]

I really wonder how this junction would pass any kind of safety audit. Having conflicting signals shown to the drivers is just asking for mistakes to be made.

Also, would crossings in the US also benefit from having the "skirts" hanging down from barriers that is so common here? It might make them more visually obvious. I can see how a narrow horizontal bar could get lost in the visual clutter in the typical American streetscape. The skirts have the advantage that they visually separate from one another when approaching, and so distinguish themselves more easily from the background image, unlike a single bar which just gets slightly visually wider as you approach.

At the front in a middle lane possibly with vehicles to the flank blocking views of the approach side wig wags, perhaps too close already to see the high gantry ones above, then the five traffic signals on the gantry opposite go green (if that is possible while the crossing is closed). The extra track facing wigwags on the opposite side are probably in peripheral vision for some people so the only visual clue now is that thin boom immediately ahead (it does appear to be a full closure 4 barrier installation). Maybe the driver had windows shut with music on so was unaware of audible warnings. It's easy to see how a moment's inattention can quickly lead to disaster.

 

[Falcon1200]

Although you'd expect that number to reduce quite quickly after the new trains had been in operation for a while.

Indeed, and especially after the number of fatalities. In light of which the decision by the firefighters, surely local people (and accident responders) and therefore fully aware of the incidents on the railway, to drive around lowered barriers seems even more astonishing.

 

[ac6000cw]

(it does appear to be a full closure 4 barrier installation)

It looks like it's the equivalent of a half-barrier crossing - due to the width of the road (6 lanes on the side the car was approaching on - 2 left turn, 3 ahead and 1 right turn) it needs two long arms to span the width of just that side when closed.

On that side there a 6 sets of wig-wag signals on the gantry, plus two low-level sets.

 

[MarkyT]

It looks like it's the equivalent of a half-barrier crossing - due to the width of the road (6 lanes on the side the car was approaching on - 2 left turn, 3 ahead and 1 right turn) it needs two long arms to span the width of just that side when closed.

On that side there a 6 sets of wig-wag signals on the gantry, plus two low-level sets.

At least on a dual carriageway with a median it's not possible (easily!) to weave around the barriers.

Those gantry wig wags are very high up. Great for long-range approach, but likely invisible when near the crossing, especially if your visor's down heading into the sun.
Frankly such a wide busy road should be grade separated. There's only low density commercial development in the immediate vicinity, so a big road overbridge shouldn't be too controversial but would be expensive, especially if the whole junction on the other side has to be elevated too, though there might be opportunities to grade separate some of the road traffic flows too.

 

[Taunton]

Indeed, and especially after the number of fatalities. In light of which the decision by the firefighters, surely local people (and accident responders) and therefore fully aware of the incidents on the railway, to drive around lowered barriers seems even more astonishing.

The fire engine incident was somewhat a combination of some common USA approaches. Firstly an extraordinary gung-ho and entitlement attitude by emergency vehicle drivers, something trained out over here but not over there (the number of accidents they do get into, even on their own, is notable), and secondly an attitude that the second the end of the train passes, you go, regardless of the barriers not rising yet, which in no small part is brought about by barrier timings and strike-out points not reacting for quite some time after a train passes - but then the fire engine was hit by the second train, opposite direction on the second track coming from behind the freight train. The notices "3 tracks" etc are meant as a warning against this, but not apparent to most what the linkage is. I have seen at least two other Brightline videos of exactly this sequence.

signs similar to those in the UK saying 'Second train coming if lights continue to flash'?

I remember those from long ago in the UK (neon flashing text sign), but at crossings where I do recall them, they have been removed. Wonder why.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The US insistence on having it's own standard for road signage probably doesn't help either. I've noticed how many warning signs over there are very "wordy" and don't use the standardised pictograms that most of the rest of the Western world uses. It's far more distracting to have read three lines of text while driving, than to see a familiar pictogram with maybe 2-3 words for additional context.

The fire truck incident discussed above was certainly more of a risk for the railway, but wasn't the stupidest thing I've seen an American emergency services worker do on a railway. Think it was also in 2024 (but may have been in 2023) that a police officer somewhere in the USA decided to leave her vehicle parked on a crossing with a suspect handcuffed in the back seat... Of course the car was then hit by a freight train, leaving the person with severe injuries.

 

[MarkyT]

I remember those from long ago in the UK (neon flashing text sign), but at crossings where I do recall them, they have been removed. Wonder why.

The neon tube tech for the flashing signs was expensive and unreliable. You needed a high voltage supply for them while a standard battery backup for all the other crossing equipment worked at 24V, and step up voltage converters of the 60s and 70s were expensive and unreliable. If the sign failed, the road user would have no indication of a second train coming and might assume the crossing controls had failed. The illuminated flashing signs were replaced with fixed signage starting in the 1980s, with the last neons going around 2000. Similar illuminated signs are now available in modern LED form from some US manufacturers. They are used in very busy rail crossing locations for pedestrian safety, on light rail systems for example.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

Think it was also in 2024 (but may have been in 2023) that a police officer somewhere in the USA decided to leave her vehicle parked on a crossing with a suspect handcuffed in the back seat... Of course the car was then hit by a freight train, leaving the person with severe injuries.

That happened in 2022.

Colorado officer who put suspect in car hit by train found guilty of reckless endangerment

A Colorado police officer who put a handcuffed woman in a parked police vehicle that was hit by a freight train has been found guilty of reckless endangerment and assault but acquitted of a third charge of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter.

apnews.com

 

[Oxfordblues]

I was once standing by a level crossing on the Florida East Coast railway on which the Brightline trains run. I was trainspotting (or linesiding) and was surprised when a local came up and asked if I was OK, clearly concerned that I was a potential suicide. I reassured him that I was innocently "railfanning" but it was a reminder how suicides were a phenomenon in that area.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

That happened in 2022.

Colorado officer who put suspect in car hit by train found guilty of reckless endangerment

A Colorado police officer who put a handcuffed woman in a parked police vehicle that was hit by a freight train has been found guilty of reckless endangerment and assault but acquitted of a third charge of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter.

apnews.com

Thanks for the correction... time goes way quicker the older you get!

 

[MarkyT]

I was once standing by a level crossing on the Florida East Coast railway on which the Brightline trains run. I was trainspotting (or linesiding) and was surprised when a local came up and asked if I was OK, clearly concerned that I was a potential suicide. I reassured him that I was innocently "railfanning" but it was a reminder how suicides were a phenomenon in that area.

I think there's some trackside fencing but not railway provided generally. It's mostly where neighbouring landowners have secured their boundaries and they happen to run alongside the railway. I believe there's no legal requirement to fence railways anywhere in the US, but some railroads and subways have done so in certain dense urban areas. Around Miami, even if all the road crossings were closed, people could still access the tracks easily in many places. Part of the problem is the many informal pedestrian crossing routes, often where vehicular crossings have been closed in the past. The remaining road stubs have concrete barriers to prevent vehicles getting on the tracks but no pedestrian-deterent fencing. I've seen claims that, in some places, locals use the corridor itself as a walkway alongside the tracks, maybe because alternatives alongside or across busy roads can be so unpleasant and dangerous in the US.

 

[Taunton]

Some of the crossings are just extraordinary. The railway in places is at an angle to the typical US grid street pattern. Take this one here. There are just half barriers, but inside the barrier area are a road junction, access to premises, and pedestrian pavement alongside the tracks.

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Most bizarre of all, the premises to the left, inside the barriers, are actually a Miami City fire station, with fire trucks emerging inside the barriers!

 

[ac6000cw]

I was once standing by a level crossing on the Florida East Coast railway on which the Brightline trains run. I was trainspotting (or linesiding) and was surprised when a local came up and asked if I was OK, clearly concerned that I was a potential suicide. I reassured him that I was innocently "railfanning" but it was a reminder how suicides were a phenomenon in that area.

I was almost accused of being a private detective once (because I happened to be pointing a camera out of my car window) - saying I was a railfan and was photographing a train rather took the wind out of his sails...

Some of the crossings are just extraordinary. The railway in places is at an angle to the typical US grid street pattern. Take this one here. There are just half barriers, but inside the barrier area are a road junction, access to premises, and pedestrian pavement alongside the tracks.

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Most bizarre of all, the premises to the left, inside the barriers, are actually a Miami City fire station, with fire trucks emerging inside the barriers!

At least there are wig-wag lights facing the fire station exit...

There was serious accident at skewed crossing on a busy road (with adjacent road junctions) at Elmwood Park, Illinois 20 years ago. A Metra commuter train ploughed into a queue of stationary vehicles (fortunately without fatalities) - https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HAB0803.pdf

I think there's some trackside fencing but not railway provided generally. It's mostly where neighbouring landowners have secured their boundaries and they happen to run alongside the railway. I believe there's no legal requirement to fence railways anywhere in the US, but some railroads and subways have done so in certain dense urban areas.

Even if there is fencing there's usually so many grade crossings that it's easy to get on the tracks anyway - I was on a Metrolink commuter train in the LA area 10 years ago which hit (and killed) a person on a fenced section of track. It was one of two 'trespass' incidents on the Metrolink system that day.

 

[Towers]

Some of the crossings are just extraordinary. The railway in places is at an angle to the typical US grid street pattern. Take this one here. There are just half barriers, but inside the barrier area are a road junction, access to premises, and pedestrian pavement alongside the tracks.

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www.google.com

Most bizarre of all, the premises to the left, inside the barriers, are actually a Miami City fire station, with fire trucks emerging inside the barriers!

That is bonkers! That’s also a rather dizzying array of (rail) signals there, too!

 

[ac6000cw]

That’s also a rather dizzying array of (rail) signals there, too!

Both tracks are bidirectional, so there is a signal post for each track.

(Being very generic/simplistic here, as it varies between railroads) It's basically a hybrid of simple speed and sort-of route signalling - very simplistically (a train-watching level), the topmost head applies to the fastest route, the middle one to the medium speed route and the bottom one to the lowest speed route through the 'interlocking' - immediately beyond the signals are a set of crossovers and then I think a bit further on a junction. Generally, a simple block signal will have one head, a simple junction/crossover/passing loop entry will have two heads.

The absence of number plates on the signals means they are controlled signals and are 'absolute' - automatic signals have number plates and are often permissive (stop and then proceed at caution when red).

There are some (modern and historical) signal aspect charts for various railroads here - https://signals.jovet.net/rules/index.html - there isn't one for FEC/Brightline, but the ones for CXST and GCOR will give you the general idea (or leave you very confused!).