Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Collision, Rosedale, Maryland, May 28, 2013.

摘要

On May 28, 2013, about 1:59 p.m., a 2003 Mack Granite truck, operated by Alban Waste, LLC, was traveling northwest on a private road in Rosedale, Maryland, toward a private grade crossing. The truck was carrying a load of debris to a recycling center located 3.5 miles from the carrier terminal. About the same time, a CSX Transportation Company (CSXT) freight train—which consisted of two locomotives, 31 empty cars, and 14 loaded cars—was traveling southwest at a speed of 49 mph. As the train approached the crossing, the train horn sounded three times. The truck did not stop and was hit by the train. Three of the 15 derailed cars contained hazardous materials. The other derailed cars contained non-US Department of Transportation-regulated commodities, or were empty. One car loaded with sodium chlorate crystal and four cars loaded with terephthalic acid released their products. Following the derailment, a post-crash fire resulted in an explosion at 2:04 p.m., which caused widespread property damage. The fire remained confined to the derailed train cars. The truck driver was seriously injured in the collision. Three workers in a building adjacent to the railroad tracks and a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer who responded to the initial incident received minor injuries as a result of the explosion. Major safety issues identified in this investigation were distraction, federal oversight of new entrant motor carriers, obstructive sleep apnea, safety systems at private grade crossings, and oxidizing and flammable or combustible materials. The National Transportation Safety Board makes recommendations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; the Federal Railroad Administration; the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the Association of American Railroads; the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association; the National Fire Protection Association; and CSXT.