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DCTA hosts rail safety event
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@acnpapers.com
More than 500 people attended the Denton County Transportation Authority's (DCTA) first safety event Saturday.
The DCTA hosted the community-wide safety day at the Old Town station. It has two other events scheduled, which will be held at the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station, 2998 N. Stemmons Freeway, at 10 a.m. May 7 and at the MedPark Station in Denton, 3220 MedPark Drive, at 10 a.m. May 21. The events are meant to educate the public about being safe around the A-train.
"Seeing the A-train running up and down the rail corridor shows that we are close to opening our service to the public," said Tom LeBeau, vice president of rail development. "Because rail activity is new to many of our residents, we want them to know that these tracks are now active and to expect a train at anytime."
Saturday, residents learned that the train conductors will not blow a horn as it passes an intersection. Instead, drivers and pedestrians will be warned by gates and flashing red lights.
The most important lesson Operation Lifesaver representatives said is for drivers to never try to "beat the train." According to Operation Lifesaver, a train traveling at 55 mph takes 600 feet to come to a complete stop. A train weighs 12 million pounds, while the average car weighs 4,000 pounds.
Residents learned that in addition to stopping at the railroad tracks behind the gate, they must also pay attention to the sides of the trains.
DCTA said its trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet on each side. Residents are advised to leave at least 15 feet between their vehicle and the nearest rail.
DCTA and Operation Lifesaver also educated residents about pedestrian safety around tracks and trains. Residents were reminded that the rail corridor is private property.
"It's an active rail corridor," said Dee Leggett, vice president of communications and planning.
Pedestrians should never walk on the railroad tracks, or the rights-of-way. Residents were also reminded that the only safe place to cross the tracks, whether by vehicle or walking, is at the designated public crossing.
DCTA began testing its trains Monday. Along with the testing, it increased patrolling around the rails. DCTA employs a full-time Denton County sheriff's deputy, who will patrol the corridor to discourage trespassing. Local police departments are also working with the DCTA to enforce the "no trespassing" zones.
"Trespassing along the rail corridor is not only dangerous but it's illegal, and DCTA will prosecute those individuals cited for trespassing by law enforcement personnel," Tom LeBeau said. "Safety of our community, our passengers and our staff is our top priority."
The DCTA expects to launch the A-train around late-June.
For information visit dcta.net.
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