To avoid car/train crashes, should train tracks go over roads, or should roads go over train tracks?

Answer 1

I'm a firm believer that in dense urban areas, and/or areas of high volume and/or high speed rail traffic, overpasses and underpasses make the most sense.

Crossings at grade are inexpensive and the least disruptive (vs. a large bridge) to the surrounding neighbourhood. However, my opinion comes from riding the rails on a daily basis, and seeing how close the trains I run come to the pedestrian and motoring public. Having the paths of high speed trains and pedestrians and motorists in such close proximity is a recipe for imminent tragedy.

As far as which way is better, it all depends on the geography of the area. As stated in a previous answer, rail traffic can't handle the sharp inclines and declines that vehicle traffic can, which is why when there's a bridge that needs to be built, it's almost always the road that has the significant grade to accommodate the separation.

Sometimes the rail line may be built at a slightly higher elevation to the road. Hence, rail over road. Other times, the road may be higher, or about level - road over rail in that case.

Answer 2

With the railway passing over the road, there is a risk of "bridge strike" where a high vehicle collides with the edge of the underside of the bridge. The railway has to be closed whilst an engineer examines the damage. This happens several times a year in the UK.
Similarly, where the road passes over the railway, a vehicle could run off the road down the embankment onto the tracks, as has happened twice this year, and cause a collision with a train. The level of risk has to be determined for each individual case: in general, however, I would suggest road passing over rail

Answer 3

Due to the weight and vibration of trains they try to keep them from going over anything .

Why they don't have trains go under streets and highways is beyond me.

Building bridges for cars would be less money than building bridges for trains

I guess it's like everything else--Money Money and more Money.

Having the cars and the trains sharing the same space is still the cheapest.

I guess people's lives aren't important enough to worry the transportation departments much.

What's the big deal---pay them off when they get hurt and it's still cheaper than doing it right.

That's the American way.

Answer 4

Common process is to build a new track next to existing one (still being used while building new one) They dig huge holes for bridge supports to be filled with iron works and covered with cement mold then lay the new track over those like an overpass roadway. When that's done they dig out all the dirt under the new track and run streets between the train overpass support columns. this is the same way they build new freeways thru towns.

Answer 5

Trains do not like steep hills. Most rail line including bridges and tunnels are built to minimize incline. Cars can handle most steep inclines without a problem. As such it is easier for roads to accomodate what the railway needs.
Keeping cars and trains separated is more important that which travels over the other.

Answer 6

Because of the incredible mass that trains have and accelerating or decelerating to go over or under roads just doesn't work, In many cases they just wouldn't have enough power to move from a dead stop up a hill to cross over. That is why they do what they do the most.

Answer 7

Trains were around long before cars and they have the right of way over auto's.

Local municipalities and states should build their roads over or under the tracks.

Answer 8

common sense would lead be to believe that the roads should go over the train.analogy:road falls on train,train falls on road,do the math!!!!

Answer 9

where I live we have several viaducts which go over the train tracks. It is an inconvenince but a neccessity. Don't race the train...the train will win everytime.

Answer 10

Cost wise its cheaper to have tracks over roads...its not the railroads responsibility to provide crossings...that falls to the state you live in... the town I live in has many underpasses with no problems...