Malfunctioning Light and Gate System Causes Multiple Collisions in Colorado
(Aurora, Colorado – June 4, 2023)
A malfunctioning rail crossing owned and maintained by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) has caused several traffic signals to malfunction in Aurora, Colorado over the last several days. There have been multiple crashes are a result of these malfunctioning signals. One of those crashes even involved an Aurora police vehicle last Thursday morning.
The RTD crossing lights and gates are been cyclically falsely activating—meaning that the lights are flashing and gates are going down when there isn’t a train approach. According to witnesses, when a train does finally approach, the gates that go down and block off the roadway to prohibit traffic from crossing the tracks aren’t working either.
“I’ve witnessed three accidents so far … in the last three days,” an employee at a nearby business with a view of the intersection told the local news station, Denver7.
An RTD spokesperson released this statement to Denver7:
“Crews are investigating, and it appears related to a networking or electronic communications issue. My colleagues have confirmed there are four gates affected between Colfax Station and Peoria Station. Attendants are present at each of the crossings and customers can expect minor delays as trains may be moving more slowly through the area. There is no estimated time for resolution at this point. So the trains have to stop here so they don’t hit anybody and make sure it’s clear before they go.”
