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The ease with which the European-type coupler can uncouple increases the potential for each car to react independently in an accident situation. When cars are not attached to other equipment, they are more likely to derail and to roll over; this increases the risks of loss and injury. Practical methods exist to improve this type of coupler assembly in order to insure its integrity under crash conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
- The train was being operated in accordance with ICG regulations and with accepted operating procedures.
- There is no evidence to suggest mechanical difficulty of the truck or train before the collision.
- The sight distance at the crossing was not adequate, given the legal speed limit of the road and the timetable speed of the track.
- Additional advance warning devices and a reduced speed limit would decrease the likelihood of conflict at this crossing.
- The familiarity of the truckdriver with this crossing, coupled with the advance railroad warning sign and pavement marks, should have caused him to approach the track with caution.
- Active protection for the crossing should have been installed while the road Was being reconstructed and before it was opened.
- The impact by the truck, in combination with the dumping of large amounts of asphalt on and abOut the rails, caused the train to derail.
- It is important to keep railroad cars coupled under crash conditions to increase the probability that they will not derail or roll over.
- High priority should be afforded to improving the safety at grade crossing highway—railroad intersections on all high—speed passenger train corridors.
- Active protection devices are the best means to alert drivers and to assure that they can stop before they reach an occupied grade crossing.
