Comments on: Rain Storm Link Test

By: Martin H. Duke

Martin H. Duke — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:10:57 +0000

Sam,

You have your idiosyncracies, but you keep us on our toes and give us new ways to think about problems.

It’s nice to have you here.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:02:20 +0000

I would like to compliment you on your ability to sniff out trolls. This is a bad habit of mine. But, I do like this site, and I do have an interest in transit. I will keep on working on my little problem, but even if I do stop trolling 100%, I’ll never completely agree with many of you, so don’t take my opposing view as me trolling.

By: Chris Stefan

Chris Stefan — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:42:51 +0000

Against my better judgment I’ll reply to someone who appears to be trolling.

While it is possible for a car and train to collide along the at-grade sections of Link, I suspect it is far less likely than in Houston. For one Link runs in a separate median and the grade crossings are limited. For another as stupid as some of our drivers are I don’t think they are nearly as dumb as those in Houston. For proof of this look at how relatively few collisions there have been with the SLUT.

By: John Jensen

John Jensen — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:01:58 +0000

Because you say so?

Awesome contributions Sam.

By: Cascadian

Cascadian — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:58:11 +0000

I can’t believe all the people in the Youtube video posted by Sam who are saying some variation of “Who looks behind when making a left turn?” Well, since it’s comments on Youtube I can believe it, but anyone who doesn’t look when turning or changing lanes should have their license revoked. Everyone has a moment of inattention, but some people seem to think that inattention is the ideal state while driving. Ironically, they’re the people who are most suited for a form of transportation that doesn’t require paying attention.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:32:13 +0000

Oh, and before anyone comments that “That kind of crash can’t happen here because freight trains won’t be … etc.” Actually, yes, something like that can happen here.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:27:21 +0000

If anyone should offer a prize, it should be ST. “Catch our LINK operators talking or texting on their cell phones – win a yearly pass.” Something like that might help to prevent another Metrolink crash that killed 25.

By: Martin H. Duke

Martin H. Duke — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:15:13 +0000

If you want to offer up such a prize, you’re more than welcome to.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:12:43 +0000

I have an idea for this site. We should have a contest with a prize. The first one here to capture a LINK crash on video wins something. And maybe not even just a getting a crash on video, because that’s going to be a rare occurrence, but even something like getting video of a driver talking on his cell phone while operating the train. Say, a dinner for two somewhere?

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:10:10 +0000

In the linked Seattle Times article, they say ST will simulate a collision between a car and a train. In this link I’m providing, you’ll actually see a collection of collisions between some trains and cars. The train had a camera mounted on its side. I think this is the Metro system in Houston.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV2rdGX4JYc