DutchRailnut wrote:if the cop had called 800 number listed on box the dispatcher would have had crossing identified as part of caller id (number dialed) and could have taken immediate action.
Huh? If you mean the railroad dispatcher, Caller ID isn't going to provide the crossing number or a caller's location. Toll-free numbers usually capture a caller's number with Automatic Number Identification, but that's separate from Caller ID, and still wouldn't provide the information. Only the caller can do that. Enhanced 911 has ANI and Automatic Location Identification (originating address of landlines) built-in, but from cell phones, the location info might not be great. (It's done by trilateration from cell towers.) Assuming there was an Emergency Notification System sign or signs posted, the crossing's FRA inventory number would be on the sign, and that would give the railroad dispatcher the location (if provided in time).
any other way would have a procedural delay, but then truck was only stuck for near 15 minutes WTF?
Yeah, that call should probably have been made sooner, and then cancelled if the truck got unstuck.
Gilbert B Norman wrote:I think on this incident there will be a lot of blame to pass around; some of it may even land on law enforcement for their handling at the scene (a phone contact is posted at every grade X-ing nowadays).
At many/most crossings, but not every (yet). I believe railroads without an ENS in place still have until July to implement one.
Still, the bigger guys like CSX might be among the first to "git 'em done." I couldn't tell from a Google Street View if the location has ENS signage, because the imagery is almost six years old. One would hope it would, especially with Amtrak on the territory . . .