Index as: RAILWAY INCIDENTS

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER Rev. Ref: CALEA Standard N/A Z-2 Index as: Railway Incidents Trains Blocking Streets RAILWAY INCIDENTS The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy and procedures for reporting damaged railroad tracks and for enforcing Vehicle Code and Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulations when railroad crossings are blocked. I. DAMAGE TO RAILROAD TRACKS A. Prior to leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that occurs at a railroad crossing, the assigned officer shall request that the Communications Division report the location and nature of the incident to the chief dispatcher or chief clerk of the company responsible for the tracks. 1. Motor vehicle accidents that occur at railroad crossings may damage the tracks, signals, or controls in ways that are not plainly visible. 2. The responsible railroad company can be identified by inspecting any signal box along the tracks. All signal boxes are stenciled or have a sticker with the responsible railroad company telephone number on it (See Appendix). B. The assigned officer shall note on the required report that he/she requested that the responsible railroad company be notified. II. TRAINS OR VEHICLES BLOCKING STREETS A. Whenever a train or railroad crossing barrier blocks a street or intersection for ten minutes or more, the assigned officer shall attempt to identify the cause, which can usually be determined by speaking to Page 1 of 5

2 the conductor or telephoning the railroad dispatcher. Common causes include: 1. Switching and coordination problems where train tracks intersect or approach railroad yards. 2. Mechanical failure of train tracks or equipment. 3. Malicious damage to train brake lines or other equipment while trains are stopped. 4. Motor vehicles blocking tracks. 5. Construction interfering with railroad operation B. If police operations (i.e., an investigation, foot pursuit, etc.) are in progress or are to be conducted on or near railroad tracks, the Communications Division shall be notified of the activity. The Communications Division shall make the notifications in accordance with the provisions of Part V, B and C of this order. C. If the passage of a train is blocked by private cars, de1ivery trucks, or other vehicles on or near the tracks, the assigned officer shall cite the responsible driver. The vehicle may be towed if all other reasonable means of moving it away from the tracks fail. Officers shall use judgment in proceeding against delivery trucks blocking tracks when no trains are present. D. If the railroad company is responsible for a blocked crossing, and if a freight train is involved, the assigned officer shall complete a Crime Report ( ). Public Utilities Commission General Order 135, Blockage of Railroad Grade Crossing, prohibits railroad companies from blocking crossings for more than ten minutes with a standing train or with switching operations if a vehicle or pedestrian is waiting at the crossing. Passenger trains and conditions over which the railroad has no control (e.g., mechanical failure) are exempt from the PUC General Order. 1. If a violation has occurred, the officer shall list Blockage of Railroad Grade Crossing, PUC General Order 135, as the Page 2 of 5

3 offense, the railroad company as the suspect, and him/herself as the complainant. 2. In addition, the officer shall record as much of the following information as possible. a) Train identity number (e.g., Amtrak 725 or UP 806). b) The number of the lead engine. c) The identity of the engineer and the conductor. d) The name of any person who contributes to the delay, such as a yardmaster, railroad dispatcher or crew member, and the nature of his/her responsibility for the delay. 3. Under PUC General Order 135, officers may require that a standing train be uncoupled or, in the case of switching delays, that a crossing barrier be opened frequently. a) Uncoupling a train to clear a crossing is a procedure that shall be required only in the event of a disaster or a lifethreatening emergency or when the blockage will continue for a long time. Officers shall not assist in the actual uncoupling operation. b) Uncoupling and recoupling a 100-car freight train may take 40 to 60 minutes under normal conditions. III. TRAFFIC INVESTIGATIONS UNIT The Traffic Investigations Unit shall follow-up reported violations of PUC General Order 135 and seek complaints in accordance with Division 1, Part 1, Chapter 11 of the Public Utilities Code. IV. PATROL DIVISION DESK OFFICER The Patrol Division Desk Officer shall maintain a list of current railroad company telephone numbers and provide them to officers upon request (see Appendix). Page 3 of 5

4 V. COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION By order of A. The Communications Division shall maintain a list of current railroad company telephone numbers and provide them to officers upon request. In addition, as requested, the Communications Division shall report track and equipment damage to the responsible railroad company and assist officers to obtain information regarding the cause of blocked crossings. B. The Communications Division shall notify the appropriate railroad police so that trains can be warned that personnel are on the tracks. C. The Communications Division shall notify the appropriate railroad police when the police activity is completed and when personnel are clear of the tracks. Richard L. Word Chief of Police Page 4 of 5

5 APPENDIX Union Pacific Railroad (formerly Southern Pacific) currently owns the right-of-way (tracks) through the City of Oakland. All incidents and matters regarding the rightof-way shall be forwarded to them. MAJOR FREIGHT RAILROADS The Union Pacific and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Police Departments can be contacted by calling their 24-hour telephone numbers. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe 24-hour Resource Operations Center California Northern Railroad Operating Department ( ) (No Police Department) or Union Pacific 24-hour Automated Directory Malfunctioning Gates option 2 PASSENGER/TRANSIT RAILROADS Amtrak (National) 24-hour Amtrak (Western Operations) 24-hour Amtrak Police Page 5 of 5