PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) – TriMet on Friday released three videos of “close calls” between MAX trains and pedestrians crossing tracks.
The agency says the message of pedestrian awareness is so vital and given recent crashes between pedestrians and trains, the agency is asking the public to be alert at crossings and intersections.
“Smartphones, earbuds and even clothing have played a role recently in blocking people’s view of vehicles,” the agency said in a press release.
The agency is now reminding people to: “Stop, look up and look both ways before crossing tracks and streets.”
TriMet says crashes like the one that recently occurred in Beaverton “are preventable.”Description of videos released Friday by TriMet:— Gateway Transit Center, August 2011
A woman with head phones on is walking in a crossing at Gateway Transit Center. She doesn’t stop or turn her head before entering the trackway. She is nearly on the rail, before she notices the train and jumps back. The operator brakes quickly and no contact is made.
— Interstate and Lombard, March 2014
A man in a mobility device crosses against the pedestrian signal on N. Interstate Avenue at Lombard. He is seemingly unaware of the approaching train until he is nearly to the rails. The operator brakes hard and the man is just able to get out of the way before contact is made.
— Gresham Transit Center, November 2013
A woman, believed to have earbuds in, appears not to hear the warning bells or see the crossing gates come down at the rail crossing at NE Kelly Avenue in Gresham. She walks, without stopping or turning her head, into the rail crossing. She finally looks up and to the side while in the middle of the tracks. She runs and the operator deploys the brakes. Surprisingly, no contact is made.
