Spring Break
Police, Amtrak emphasize railroad safety to ISU
Matt Spialek
Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: News
After ISU student, David Hirsch, was killed when struck by a train last Wednesday, Oct. 24, ISU police and Amtrak want to emphasize to students the importance of railroad safety.
Weight, speed and extended break time are contributing factors for why this form of transportation can be dangerous to both pedestrians and drivers.
Karina Romero, Amtrak spokesperson said, "Railroad tracks like roads have speed limits."
Romero said the maximum speed for trains in the Bloomington-Normal area is 79 mph. However Romero added, "The speed limit where the incident occurred is 40 mph."
That speed is typical when traveling through communities and pulling into train stations like the train involved in Wednesday's accident. Despite providing speed limits, Romero could not ascertain the train's speed when it struck Hirsch.
With high speeds and heavy weight, trains require a longer braking distance.
"A train going 79 mph takes a mile to stop," Romero said.
A longer distance to stop also means little time to react.
Romero explained that standard protocol when trains observe an object on the tracks is to stop immediately because "A [train] can't wait to determine what [the object] is."
Although it is important for students to have a greater understanding of trains, it is also imperative that the proper safety procedures are followed.
"Treat [railroads] like a street," Romero said.
ISU Chief of Police Ronald Swan said while one is reminded to look both ways before crossing a street, the same must be done for railroads.
"To make certain when an individual crosses railroad tracks, that they cross at a designated crossing zone," Swan said.
While gates are used as an indicator of whether it is safe to cross railroad tracks, Romero advised people to still be cautious. Although a rarity, Romero said, "Occasionally, the gates don't go down at all."
Swan said students should not have their hearing obstructed by such devices like iPods and MP3 players when crossing railroads.
"Walking on or along tracks is trespassing on railroad property, and one would be subject to arrest," Swan said.
Weight, speed and extended break time are contributing factors for why this form of transportation can be dangerous to both pedestrians and drivers.
Karina Romero, Amtrak spokesperson said, "Railroad tracks like roads have speed limits."
Romero said the maximum speed for trains in the Bloomington-Normal area is 79 mph. However Romero added, "The speed limit where the incident occurred is 40 mph."
That speed is typical when traveling through communities and pulling into train stations like the train involved in Wednesday's accident. Despite providing speed limits, Romero could not ascertain the train's speed when it struck Hirsch.
With high speeds and heavy weight, trains require a longer braking distance.
"A train going 79 mph takes a mile to stop," Romero said.
A longer distance to stop also means little time to react.
Romero explained that standard protocol when trains observe an object on the tracks is to stop immediately because "A [train] can't wait to determine what [the object] is."
Although it is important for students to have a greater understanding of trains, it is also imperative that the proper safety procedures are followed.
"Treat [railroads] like a street," Romero said.
ISU Chief of Police Ronald Swan said while one is reminded to look both ways before crossing a street, the same must be done for railroads.
"To make certain when an individual crosses railroad tracks, that they cross at a designated crossing zone," Swan said.
While gates are used as an indicator of whether it is safe to cross railroad tracks, Romero advised people to still be cautious. Although a rarity, Romero said, "Occasionally, the gates don't go down at all."
Swan said students should not have their hearing obstructed by such devices like iPods and MP3 players when crossing railroads.
"Walking on or along tracks is trespassing on railroad property, and one would be subject to arrest," Swan said.
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