MONDAY night's fatal Amtrak train derailment underlines the importance of ensuring that all at-grade crossings are equipped with up-to-date safety and warning devices. As federal investigators examine the causes of the train-truck crash, in which more than a dozen people were killed, they must also focus on the adequacy of railroad warning signals throughout the country.

Fortunately, this is not a problem on the Washington-New York line, where high-speed service will begin late this year. The route has no at-grade crossings, though Amtrak must make safety improvements on 13 such crossings between New Haven, Conn., and Boston.

Driver error at railroad crossings accounted for 74 percent of the 183 Amtrak accidents at such intersections in 1997. Active warning signals, such as flashing lights, bells and gates, failed to halt these fatal collisions.

With trains averaging 79 miles per hour, it takes more than a mile to bring the engine and passenger cars to a halt. This points to the need to lower the gates at these crossings far in advance of an approaching train.

Crossings near industrial plants and with heavy car traffic should receive special attention. The fully loaded flatbed truck involved in Monday's accident 50 miles south of Chicago was leaving a nearby steel mill. When in doubt, federal and state officials must always err on the side of caution -- even if it means temporary inconvenience for drivers in a hurry to cross train tracks.

Pub Date: 3/17/99