A westbound Amtrak (ATK) Passenger train Train Number 1-21, consisting of two locomotives,7 cars, and operating at an estimated speed of 60 mph, collided with an automobile at a highway/rail grade crossing, C.E. King Parkway and Union Pacific (UP) tracks, on August 22, 2007, at 10:55p.m. The accident occurred near Houston, Texas, at UP Milepost 351.6, on the UP Lafayette Subdivision, in Harris County at D.O.T. Crossing no. 762904W. The crossing is controlled by a HXP-3 warning system. Its recorder shows that the crossing warning system provided approximately 27 seconds of warning time prior to the train occupying the crossing. Timetable speed limit for the area is 70 MPH for passenger and 60 MPH for freight. The highway warning mast on the south east quadrant for north bound highway traffic is equipped with a set of side lights pointed at turning traffic from east bound Highway 90. The main lights are pointed south for C.E. King Parkway, the back lights of the mast in the northwest quadrant are pointed for turning west bound traffic off Highway 90. At C.E. King Parkway there is a single north bound lane and two south bound lanes for motor vehicle traffic. There is a traffic light at the intersection of C.E. King Parkway and Highway 90 with turn signals. The occupants of the motor vehicle were driver male age 18, passenger female age 16, passenger male age 13. The motor vehicle driver and all passengers were killed. The automobile was completely destroyed. There were no injuries to the ATK train crew or passengers. The leading locomotive ATK locomotive No. 84 sustained minor damage and the train's 66 passengers were delayed approximately 4 hours. Damage to locomotive No. 84 sustained in the collision consisted of a bent plow, burned electrical wires and a broken ditch light, estimated to be $19,225, and there was no derailment. At the time of the accident it was night and overcast, with high humidity and no wind. The temperature was 82 F. The accident was caused by failure of the motor vehicle driver to stop at the lowered gates of the highway warning system and to yield to the oncoming train. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Department, the driver of the motor vehicle did not have a drivers license and was in violation of Texas state law.


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    Titel :

    Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Headquarters Assigned Accident Investigation Report HQ-2007-50, Amtrak (ATK), Houston, Texas, August 22, 2007


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2007


    Format / Umfang :

    8 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch