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Most passengers evacuated the train without assistance, but some of the injured and elderly were helped from the train. The vertical inclination of some of the cars made evacuation difficult because it increased the distance between the exits and the ground. There were no reports of injuries sustained or aggravated during rescue operations.
Accident Site
Roadway-Manhattan Road is a two-lane county road which, in the vicinity of the grade crossing, runs east and West. It traverses a rural area which is experiencing some residential growth. The road is straight and relatively level as it approaches the track from the east.
The pavement is 27 feet wide, asphalt-surfaced, and in excellent condition; it was reconstructed in mid-1975 and was reopened to traffic on October 31, 1975. Until its reconstruction the road was unpaved and was used infrequently.
A daily traffic count was not available. However, Board investigators noted that traffic volume on the newly opened road was moderate.
Two private residences, which are located on the north side of the westbound approach to the track, limit the visibility between the road and track until 200 feet before the grade crossing. From that point to the grade crossing, visibility is obstructed slightly by a fence, trees, and a freestanding building which are located on private property adjacent to the railroad right-of-way.
A standard railroad crossbuck warning sign is located on the shoulder of the road adjacent to and on both sides of the track. Advance railroad warning signs are located 630 feet east and 630 feet west of the track. Pavement markings which display the standard warning of a railroad crossing ahead are painted across both the east and west approaches about 300 feet from the track. In addition, a double yellow line separates the opposing lanes of traffic beginning 650 feet east of the track. No other signs or devices are present on either approach.
On September 15, 1975, 4 months after reconstruction of the road began, the Will County Highway Department contacted the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (ICG) to initiate negotiations for the installation of active protection devices (flashing lights) at the Manhattan Road grade crossing; these devices had not been installed before the collision.
In Illinois when the speed limit is not posted, it is 55 mph. This was the case at the Manhattan Road grade crossing. An official of the Will County Highway Department stated, however, that procedures had been initiated to reduce the speed limit for Manhattan Road. In the interim, Will County has installed 35-mph speed advisory.plates on each of the two advance railroad warning signs which are located on the approaches to the crossing. The 35-mph Speed is advisory only and is not enforceable.
