Problems with railroad crossing gates on the Danbury branch line of the Metro North railroad have been traced to a new system installed in the fall, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said this afternoon.
Many crossing gates have been closing and staying closed when no trains are nearby. Ridgefield Police have gotten frequent calls about the gates in Branchville malfunctioning.
The MTA said a new signal system project for the entire Danbury Branch was completed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North in November.
“As a result, Branch Line service was expanded, allowing for the ability to operate more than one train along the corridor at a time.
“Recently, a problem with the newly installed computerized train detection system that controls the grade crossings was identified.
“Despite the fact that this system was comprehensively tested at each crossing prior to being activated along the right-of-way, the mechanism that controls the opening and closing of a gate crossing sometimes activates with no trains approaching.”
The railroad said “we are working on finding a permanent fix. In the meantime, we have modified the system’s operation and have put into place a procedure to operate trains safely.”
The procedure includes each train’s stopping and blowing its horn at crossings.
The authority explained it this way:
“This procedure requires all trains to come to a complete stop before entering the affected crossing and to determine if the crossing protection is activated.
“We have not experienced any failures of the crossing system to activate when required. When the crossing is activated and providing protection, the train then proceeds at a restricted speed not exceeding 15 M.P.H. through the crossing.
“Although this may cause a delay in your commute, it is the safest way for us to operate a train, safeguarding customers and any vehicular traffic.
“In the event the crossing does not activate, the conductor will climb down from the train and stop traffic so the train can proceed very slowly through the crossing. The conductor then climbs back aboard and the train proceeds.”
The MTA said, “The manufacturer has been on the scene and is working in its laboratory to quickly and safely resolve the issue. Metro-North has also dispatched its own team to coordinate the effort with the designer of the signal system, Alstom, and the manufacturer of the timing device, Siemens, and to help expedite this fix.”