Yet another enforcement camera category coming up.

The principle is the same as a red light camera, instead of a relay closure from the traffic controller, it's a relay closure from a crossing arm controller.

with this as I do with the red light cameras. It's pretty conclusive that the companies offering the red light cameras manipulate the yellow light timing. It would be pretty difficult for a company to manipulate the railroad gate (either it's up or it's down).

El Mirage seem to have a problem with people running the gates (always here in the news of someone running the gate). It's ironic that we have to have this system in place with all of these cameras because everyone is in such a hurry to get somewhere fast they make risky maneuvers.

I don't like all the cameras that are here but I for one have slowed down and paid more attention to my driving and sheesh I get better gas milage and I still get from point A to point B just as fast,,, go figure,,and it only took one redlight ticket to wake up.

Anybody out there ever come across a stuck crossing arm? I have - what is your choice?

There are no trains coming, the arm is down: 1) sit and wait forever 2) backup and find an alternate crossing which in some cases could be a mile or two away 3) go around the malfunctioning arm.

I have come across a stuck or partially stuck arm occasionally in all my years driving.

That's an interesting point!

going around the 'down' arms could be a risky deal..have you ever seen car v. train..the train wins every time. Many of the crossings around here have a limited view down the track due to curves, etc.

At what point does a crossing arm become 'stuck' down and you should be OK to do an end run??

.....but being able to SEE down the tracks for about a mile in both directions is probably a good indicator that nothing is really coming.

And most states already have laws on the books to deal with mal-functioning traffic control devices.....just like magnetic sensors that don't make the lights change for a motorcycle.

The company processing the things should get a clue when they have 50 "hits" in the space of a few minutes.

I'm betting that the technology and equipment is better now'days and stuck gates are probably relatively rare......with new equipment.

There was a group in traffic that took turns holding the STUCK crossing arms up so that we could all pass through to get to work...All of this after waiting for about a half hour first and with no way to turn around in all that traffic.
David

that is where you may be in error, there is supposed to be a time delay (Usually about 3 seconds) from the time the gate, lights or bells are activated till the system activates

What is a partially stuck gate? and as for malfunctioning gates it happens more frequently than you may realize

Guess they'll be ticketing EMT vehicles. I see them everyday going thru/around arms that are down to get to an emergancy.

Every day ??? I'm sure.

The agency's that own those vehicles would REALLY like for you to report that when you see it.....REALLY.

honestly its about time! i think people that cant wait for a damn train should probably get a ticket.

What would be more useful is a camera that fines train companies whose trains stop on the tracks blocking the road.

I believe that all railroad crossing gates should completely close both sides of the road, to prevent someone from going around the crossing arm! Sure someone could go through, but they would have to crash through.

AH! But the companies are in the business to make MONEY for both themselves and the cities. They will send out the fine notices regardless of how many hits in a short space of time. If some pay them, fine. If the city is sued, they simply don't care. They are to collect money - nothing else!

Is it painful to be so bitter ??

Hehe...good one. That would be ironic!

Seems like the way to deal with malfunctioning railroad-crossing arms would be to also make sure to snap a timestamp photo whenever the train itself crosses. Then someone who complains that the arm was down and there was no train could be countered by a photo taken within X minutes of the violators photo showing that a train indeed came through. If no train photo within X minutes then let the person off the ticket.

I fully approve of the installation of these cameras. The irony is that John Q. public has become so unaware, uncaring, irresponsible in their attitude that this concept has become viable.

Have any of you naysayers had the (dis)pleasure of watching a video from an engineer's point of view from the locomotive cab? Do a Google search, I bet there are many on YouTube. The amount of rampant running around gates, ignoring non-gated rural crossings by everything from gasoline 18-wheelers to school buses is appalling. Imagine being the engineer having to deal with that. Each and every one of those trespassers puts the entire train crew's lives in jeopardy all to save 5 minutes. Remember, the railroad OWNS the land they put their right of way on.
If you're complaining about a 'stuck' gate, do something positive and call the railroad company to report the malfunction.

I think everyone has a right to choose how they handle each individual situation as it presents itself. The bottom line is if we have the ability, we can make the choice.

A little different principal than a red light camera. I don't equate fellow drivers with a huge train.