by STrRedWolf
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/fatal-ca ... -autopilot#
The top is a bit of memorial fluff, so the relevant quote is:
First, this was not a southbound train. Most if not all trains stop at Linthicum, manly because it's the last common stop for BWI and Cromwell branch trains... and some people get off to switch to the other train because they wanted to get out of Baltimore in a hurry. The train would be coming up to track speed, but it has an interlock ahead, so it wouldn't be going all that fast to begin with.
Second, this isn't a train from BWI, since that curves into the interlock. You lose speed. This train came from Cromwell and was at track speed.
Third, the track protection system in the area (ATP) is known to be not quite set up right. Oh, it's failsafe -- no ATP signal, your train slams the breaks and shuts down. But given how Light Rail was built on in the first place (by sheer politics)? You bet the ATP's set at track speed with no slow-down.
Fourth, look at a satellite map: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2007105 ... a=!3m1!1e3
The tracks cross Camp Meade Road, the site of the accident. Guess what's before that? A full crossover interlock, yards away. Continue southeast, and you get the interlock to where the branches split off. Guess where the trigger point for the crossing protection system is at?
It doesn't look like the NTSB's been called on this one, but I would bet it would be a combination of the deceased running the crossing protection plus the location of the crossover interlock and trigger points enabling the accident.
The top is a bit of memorial fluff, so the relevant quote is:
According to Anne Arundel County police, around 9 a.m. Wednesday, Patterson drove his car over the light rail tracks on Maple Road in Linthicum and was hit by an oncoming train.I can add a bit of detail here, since I've ridden said Light Rail for roughly 8 years.
Patterson died at the scene, police said.
A preliminary report shows the gates weren't completely down when the crash took place, and the MTA train operator could be at fault.
First, this was not a southbound train. Most if not all trains stop at Linthicum, manly because it's the last common stop for BWI and Cromwell branch trains... and some people get off to switch to the other train because they wanted to get out of Baltimore in a hurry. The train would be coming up to track speed, but it has an interlock ahead, so it wouldn't be going all that fast to begin with.
Second, this isn't a train from BWI, since that curves into the interlock. You lose speed. This train came from Cromwell and was at track speed.
Third, the track protection system in the area (ATP) is known to be not quite set up right. Oh, it's failsafe -- no ATP signal, your train slams the breaks and shuts down. But given how Light Rail was built on in the first place (by sheer politics)? You bet the ATP's set at track speed with no slow-down.
Fourth, look at a satellite map: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2007105 ... a=!3m1!1e3
The tracks cross Camp Meade Road, the site of the accident. Guess what's before that? A full crossover interlock, yards away. Continue southeast, and you get the interlock to where the branches split off. Guess where the trigger point for the crossing protection system is at?
It doesn't look like the NTSB's been called on this one, but I would bet it would be a combination of the deceased running the crossing protection plus the location of the crossover interlock and trigger points enabling the accident.
