Distracted Driver Caused Derailment and Explosion in Rosedale, Md.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

The thread in LBN about this incident is here: Baltimore explosion reportedly caused by train derailment

I don't feel that I should reply to a thread that is a year-and-a-half old, however.

I'm on a few NTSB listservs, so I get this stuff in my email.

October 22, 2014

WASHINGTON – Today the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the May 28, 2013 train/truck collision, 15-car derailment, and subsequent explosion in Rosedale, Md. was caused by the truck driver’s failure to ensure that the tracks were clear before traversing an un-gated highway-rail grade crossing. Contributing to the accident was the truck driver’s distraction due to a phone conversation on a hands-free device at the time of the crash. ... Among the recommendations the NTSB made today as a result of the investigation was to extend the limitations on the use of portable electronic devices to prohibit the use of hands-free cellphones by all commercial driver’s license holders while operating a commercial vehicle.
....

The Board found that Alban Waste, the owner of the vehicle, demonstrated “a consistent and serious pattern of noncompliance” with federal motor carrier regulations from the time that the company registered as a carrier until the crash. It also found that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was aware of problems with Alban Waste but did not take adequate steps to ensure that the carrier complied with federal regulations, or, failing that, to prevent Alban Waste from operating. ... “We continue to be concerned with FMCSA’s new entrant program,” Hart said. “Problem operators keep falling through the cracks.”

The Board also found that a lack of oversight of private road/rail crossings poses a risk to the safety and health of motorists, train crews and train passengers, as well as to surrounding communities. After a second grade crossing at the Rosedale collision in August 2014, CSX Transportation took steps to remove foliage surrounding the crossing and install traffic control signs.
....

As a result of this accident investigation, the NTSB made recommendations to the FMCSA, the Federal Railroad Administration, the state of Maryland, the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the National Fire Protection Association, the National Sheriff’s Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, CSX Transportation and the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The full report is available here: http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2014/HAR1402.pdf

Highway–Railroad Grade Crossing Collision Rosedale, Maryland May 28, 2013

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I remember big stories about poorly marked RR crossings.

Several years ago, much in the news, that "many" RR crossings had insufficient warnings at intersections.
I remember this because down here in the rural South, there are few cross bars, and only a flashing light pole at intersections,
if even that. Many only have RRXX on the road in front of the tracks.

And I think there was a 60 minute type report which also showed pedestrian commuters running across the tracks in front of trains.

Seems to me the recommendation was that swing bars be the standard.

Of course, any idiot will blithely crash thru even swing bars, or, as is most common, speed up to beat them as they lower,
and get stuck on the tracks, an often successful attempt to win a Darwin award.