From: rcp27g@gmail.com   
      
   John W Gintell  wrote:   
   > On 6/17/16 6:31 PM, Larry Sheldon 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.   
      
   It doesn't need particularly "modern" technology, level crossings   
   interlocked with railway signaling have existed using various technology   
   have existed for as long as interlocked railway signaling has been around,   
   for well over a century.   
      
   > This would eliminate accidents and allow trains to travel faster.   
      
   At the cost of much longer "closed" times for the crossings. An interlocked   
   crossing requires the crossing to be closed to traffic and checked to be   
   clear before the incoming train reaches the safe stopping distance from the   
   crossing, and the time it takes the train to cover that distance to the   
   crossing will be spent with the crossing closed to traffic. With the   
   current US practice, the crossing closing cycle starts when the train is   
   already far too close to the crossing to be able to stop before crossing.   
      
   Robin   
      
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