Re: NNG: Midland Texas crash

The report that I read stated clearly that the truck was on its way to the parade and not yet on the parade route. The truck was apparently "trapped" on the crossing because the rig in front of him was stopped at a traffic signal. Crossing protective devices (lights and gates) are generally set up to provide 20 seconds of full protection before the train occupies the crossing. That's not much time to allow a trapped vehicle to escape, but studies have found that if protection activates earlier, drivers tend to get impatient and try to beat the approaching train. In many places, crossing protection and traffic signals are linked so the railroad signals override the traffic signal to allow trapped vehicles to escape. Obviously, a thorough investigation of the circumstances will fix responsibility on someone.