From: lfsheldon@gmail.com   
      
   On 6/18/2016 10:39, John W Gintell wrote:   
      
   > With current technology all grade crossings could be properly guarded   
   > with gates that wouldn't go down if there was a vehicle in it and would   
   > start going down at the right time based upon the train speed. This   
   > could be linked to the train controls as well so a train could be   
   > stopped in time in case there is a vehicle on the tracks.   
   >   
   > This would eliminate accidents and allow trains to travel faster.   
      
   This would NOT eliminate "accidents"*!  It would reduce those that occur   
   when everything works exactly right.   
      
   It would probably be cheaper to eliminate at-grade intersections.**   
      
   *I am really uncomfortable with calling things that result from   
   deliberate, wilful actions "accidents".   
      
      
   Which would not "eliminate" "accidents either.  A long series of   
   experiments with "idiot proof" solutions confirms that idiocy is   
   expandable without limit of bound.  The best shot is to train them to do   
   the right-thing without thinking about it, rather than do the stupid   
   thing without thinking about it.   
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