10/23/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Since the 1984 State law allowed local governments to prohibit Florida East Coast Railway Company trains that pass through cities, municipalities and counties from blowing warning whistles between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. at crossings protected by gates, lights and bells, a number of cities and counties, such as Indian River County, have passed night-time whistle bans. On August 10, 1990, the Federal Railroad Administration, U. S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D. C., addressed to the Indian River County, among other municipal and county governments so involved, copy of a Federal study released July 1990 reflecting that in the last six years, 19 people were killed and 59 injured at railroad crossings between Miami and Jacksonville. Night-time accidents at the affected crossings have increased 195% since the statutory bans were enacted. By contrast, at 89 similar FEC crossings where the bans have not been imposed, night-time accidents have increased only 23%. By the same token, daylight accident rates for the 6 -year period not involved in the night-time ban reflect that there were 108 accidents for the 5 -year period pre -ordinance and 109 accidents for the 5 -year period • post -ordinance. In other words, there was virtually no change in the accident rates occurring during the day -time periods when whistle blowing -remained permissible. The study prepared by the Federal Railroad Administration has thus demonstrated conclusively that night-time accidents at crossings affected by the whistle blowing ban have increased. Therefore, in the interest of safety, I request that the County Commissioners immediately rescind the actions which it took in 1986, thus permitting whistle blowing at crossings at all hours of the day or night to enhance safety. In this regard, it is respectfully requested that you advise me.in advance as to the time and date of the Commission meeting at which this matter will be brought up so that I might have a representative of the Railway present in regard to this matter. For your convenient reference, I attach copy of the report of the Federal Railroad Administration of July 1990 referred to herein. Yours ver ruly, et �` — R. W. Wyckoff -- President Mr. Abood advised that the study on the train horn ban was made by the federal railroad administration, and it covered 600 F.E.C. crossings from Jacksonville to Miami. According to Mr. Abood, that study showed that accidents almost tripled at night- time when the whistles were banned. and research done for the period after the train horn ban revealed 3 accidents in this county in those evening hours with 3 fatalities. Staff has said that those accidents were caused by people driving around the gates which were in a down position. Mr. Abood felt that is a temptation, and that is why the railroad would like to have the ordinance rescinded. In such a situation, a railroad crew has basically two choices. He can either whistle to alert someone or put the train on emergency stop, and as everyone is aware, trains 27 BOOK �I FAu '743,