RR Traffic Signal Preemption Malfunction at Echo Lake Road

Video taken on July 25th, 2007 at Echo Lake Road in West Milford, NJ. Notice the traffic signal pre-emption cycle for the railroad is delayed in starting. Normally, pre-emption occurs 30 seconds before the crossing signals activate by displaying a red light at the traffic signal before the crossing. The purpose is keep cars from proceding through the light and stopping on the tracks while the train is approaching. In this video, pre-emption occurs about 10 seconds AFTER the railroad crossing signals activate. Luckily this isn't a very busy road and the risk is minimal.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• NYSW
• Susquehanna
• Preemption
• Traffic
• Signals

[YankeePat94]

Does the light for Echo Lake stay red until the train clears?

[llokuta]

@YankeePat94 Yes

[YankeePat94]

not to be a smart alec, but this is charlotteburg rd. echo lake rd doesn't begin until the light ahead.

[llokuta]

@YankeePat94 I know. However, if you look at the AAR information on the rely box for the crossing, it is labeled "Echo Lake Road". My guess is that Charlottesburg Road actually starts as soon as you cross over the tracks and get off the state property of the jug handle, and on to the private property of the Newark Watershed.

[ss3kidgoku]

does the train usually come through this intersection at a fast speed??

[llokuta]

Track speed through here is 30 or 35 I think. Westbounds typically go slower through here because there is a long, steep, and curvy grade that westbounds must tackle before they get here. Eastbounds, on the other hand, are usually going at a nice speed because they are on level terrain at this point.

[wisecrac99]

The bulbs likely aren't burnt out. More likely the load switch has a bad channel in it. That is the device that the controller uses to send power to the lights out on the street. The highway department responsible likely doesn't look very thoroughly at their equipment and no one has called in to complain. It is a very easy fix.

[MrCooltim45]

those bells sound weird



[Headbanger142]

@Michael21700 The bottom bulb is meant to be a yellow warning light that goes on and off. But it never works around there.

[Michael21700]

Just the green bulb was out or gonee.



[robertgift]

@decline2state Idiot driver to stop on a track and then remain in the vehicle if a train arrived.

[rpmangin]

@decline2state Huh? I always thought a railroad crossing preempt took precedence over an emergency vehicle preempt. At least, that's the way it should be, because, unlike a train, an emergency vehicle can at least stop quickly or swerve to avoid a collision. On the other hand, considering there was an emergency vehicle present, traffic may have ignored the green light anyway to let the fire truck go, because most of the time, emergency vehicles can just ignore traffic signals.

[rpmangin]

Drivers are NEVER supposed to stop on the tracks. If only drivers did not stop on railroad tracks, nobody would have to worry about railroad light "pre-empts." There are even signalized intersections in downtown Moline where no cars are allowed to stop between the railroad tracks and the roadway even though, in reality, there is room for one car.