SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — Southern California commuter rail operator Metrolink has debuted new “smart crossing” technology at a San Juan Capistrano grade crossing, seeking to eliminate the activation of crossing gates when a train approaches a station and stops before reaching the crossing.
The technology, known as a Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop, was made possible through a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, or CRISI, grant. It was deployed as of June 1 at the Del Obispo Street crossing near the San Juan Capistrano station. Its introduction will reduce wait times and deter dangerous behavior such as drivers and pedestrians bypassing activated crossing gates.
“Installing WCNSS systems at railway crossings near stations is a crucial step forward that underscores Metrolink’s commitment to enhancing the safety and efficiency of our infrastructure,” Doug Chaffee, Metrolink board vice chair, said in a press release. “Not only will this innovative technology alleviate frustration and improve the safety of San Juan Capistrano residents, it will also benefit communities across Metrolink’s system as it becomes more prevalent.”
Initially, the system will prevent southbound Metrolink trains stopping at San Juan Capistrano from activating the crossing gates and signal until it leaves the station. It does not yet cover Pacific Surfliner trains, although plans to expand it to include those trains are ongoing. Metrolink is working with local, state, and federal agencies toward a long-term goal of installing the system at 52 crossings located within a half-mile of Metrolink stations.
The San Juan Capistrano crossing joins seven WCNSS crossings on the Metrolink network in San Bernardino and Redlands, which have been in operation since the Arrow service between those two communities began operating in October 2022.
— Updated at 11:55 a.m. to restore dropped ending to next-to-last paragraph.
It’s an uncommon but not rare situation. The crossing gates are set up to go down in time for trains that don’t stop at the station, which of course they must do if a through train comes along. Since the crossing is very close to the station, they detect trains actually stopped at the station. All or nearly all passenger trains stop there, but freights don’t of course.
If it works, it could be used in other places with grade crossings very close to stations.
“Smart Crossing Technology …”
(that is ‘smarter’ than some of the drivers using this grade crossing ….)
Unfortunately, There will still be people that can not wait and try to make it when the gates are coming down or are done. You just can’t fix stupid!
No, you can’t fix stupid but…you CAN see that it is removed from the gene pool…
All crossings should be like this.