×
×
The Horwitz Law Group

call/text for free consultation
312.641.9200

Search
≡Menu
Search
Menu
Blog
Text
Call

Blog

HomeBlogMass Transit AccidentsMetra Stations: Is New Safety System Sufficient to Prevent Accidents?
30 August, 2019

Metra Stations: Is New Safety System Sufficient to Prevent Accidents?

When freight trains run right past and through commuter rail stations, it is vital that adequate signs and other safeguards be in place to protect pedestrians. Without such protections, people are at an unreasonable risk of mass transit accidents.

Are such protections in place in the western suburbs of Chicago, where freight trains are once again passing through Metra commuter rail stations? The freight trains were kept from the Metra stations while Union Pacific and Metra negotiated an agreement to revised long-established pedestrian safety policies. The policies were intended to protect pedestrians in the station when another train approaches.

New Automated Warning System

Under the agreement, a new warning device, called Another Train Warning System (ATWS), will issue a flashing red “Danger” sign when a second train approaches the station. This will set off a white flashing “Another train is coming” sign followed by an audio “Danger, another train is coming.”

The upgrade also includes the installation of more pedestrian gates, new pathways, inter-track fencing, platform signs, and the discarding of mid-platform pedestrian crossings. These actions are meant to discourage pedestrians from unsafe crossings. The new infrastructure is expected to cost $132 million.

Metra and Union Pacific officials assert that the new system will improve traffic flow without compromising pedestrian safety. Traffic flow is certainly an important consideration, with freight trains, commuter rail passengers, and motorists all affected by crossing-gate performance. But will pedestrians really have adequate safety protections under the new system?

Metra officials hope that the warning system will alert people to the sight and sound of approaching trains and avoid Metra accidents. But the AWTS technology is untested, and so many trains and people in such close proximity creates a delicate situation that must be managed with care.

Metra also needs to finish installing the new system. It is in place at several stations in the western suburbs, but it has not yet fully been installed in others.

29 July 2019
Illinois Highway Safety Plan Has Many Issues to Address
01 September 2019
Calls for Improved Bus Safety After Deadly NYC Crash

Categories

Archives

Testimonials

Case Results

$6,900,000.00

for a motor vehicle wrongful death case.

$5,300,000.00

for a 75-year-old woman who suffered an above the knee amputation due to being run over by a private school bus.

$4,500,000.00

for a young lady who was run over by a private waste hauling company while crossing the street.

$3,600,000.00

for a trucking accident resulting in the death of the driver.

$3,000,000.00

for a 70 year old man who died, without any living relatives, seven months after being hit by a car while crossing the street.

$2,300,000.00

for a client whose family was killed by a street sweeper that ran a red light.

$2,100,000.00

for a client injured in a 2005 Metra train derailment case.

$1,600,000.00

for a minor rear-ended on an expressway in Kankakee.

$1,400,000.00

for a premises liability accident resulting in below the knee amputation.

$1,200,000.00

for a woman who was hit by a car while crossing the street.

$1,197,000.00

for a client who was injured on the CTA red line train.

$900,000.00

for a bicyclist hit by a car.

$800,000.00

for a passenger injured in a rideshare rollover accident.

$750,000.00

for a rideshare accident injury.

$600,000.00

for a low-speed rear-end accident.

$500,000.00

for injuries in a van accident pulling a trailer.

$500,000.00

for a minor injured in a ride-share accident.

$495,000.00

for a pedestrian injured due to a sidewalk defect.

$350,000.00

for a passenger injured in a rideshare rollover accident.

$289,000.00

for a driver injured in an auto accident.

$270,000.00

for injuries from a right-turning truck.

$260,000.00

for a family injured in an auto accident.

$255,000.00

for a law enforcement officer rear-ended by a truck.

$250,000.00

for a motorcyclist rear-ended.

$233,000.00

for an individual injured by a dog.

$225,000.00

for a bicyclist hit by a car while crossing the street.

$201,000.00

for a driver rear-ended on the expressway.

$175,000.00

for a client who had lawyers at another law firm trying to settle the accident case for only $60,000.

Tell Us About Your Case

To arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Illinois injury lawyer complete the e-mail form below.

Chicago Office

20 N. Clark Street Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60602 | USA

Phone: 312-641-9200
Fax: 312-641-9201

Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.

NUVEW | Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Notice