A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Jim Clark / The Outlook
A MAX train sits at the Gresham City Hall station where a man was struck and killed Monday.
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A man crossing the MAX tracks who was struck and killed by a train at the Gresham City Hall station Monday morning has been identified as a Gresham resident.
Jose Lopez Rodriguez, 55, was on the north side of the platform, which is located just south of Gresham City Hall and east of Northwest Eastman Parkway, when he was hit at about 8 a.m.
The man was on the platform’s east end closest to Northwest Eastman Parkway when he ran southbound across the MAX tracks to catch an eastbound train, said Mary Fetsch, TriMet spokeswoman.
A westbound train coming into the station at the same time hit the man. He died at the scene. It is the second time a pedestrian has been hit and killed at the station. In June 2003, 16-year-old Gresham boy, Aaron Wagner, was hit and killed by a train at the City Hall stop while crossing the tracks on his bike.
His mother, Darla Sturdy, lobbied the state Legislature for changes at MAX crossings. The Legislature passed a law requiring TriMet to commission an independent study, complete with findings and recommendations, regarding the safety of pedestrian crossings on the light-rail line. Many of the more dangerous stations were located on the eastside, as they are the oldest in the light-rail system.
Based on the study’s findings, TriMet plans to make crossing improvements at approximately 60 locations, Fetch said. Improvements vary from channeling pedestrians to creating Z-style crossings that orient pedestrians so they see trains coming from both directions.
The study found that the City Hall station could benefit from a Z-style crossing, which TriMet plans to create, Fetch said. The transit agency has already installed additional warning signs, lights, audible warnings and fencing/railings at the station, she added.
Seems there are too many of those lately. So it has taken 6 years since the last tragedy for a commission to consider making recommendations to suggest possibly thinking about making considerations to plan to maybe make some chages that could possibly take effect as some point..............
Maybe they should have eliminated the safety hazzards before Tri-Met squandered all the tax revenue to pay for it. Oh wait the taxpayers can pony up more for that too!
(email verified)
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Just another reminder that this modern world is inherently dangerous. It doesn't matter how much safety is built in, there will always be someone who will cross at the wrong place, not be paying attention, or is just plain stupid. What ever happened to stop, look, listen? Duh! I think pedestrians should orient themselves & I don't blame Tri-Met or the design of the station at all. Let natural selection take its course.
(email verified)
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 03:16 PM
I have to say I agree with"Sick of Safety" It is unfortunate that we are so busy with our daily lives and agendas that we get distracted and tunnel vision that intereferes with our own safety. This accident is unfortunate and tragic and some areas could probably use improvement I am sure, unfortunately, the city cant provide a safety cushion for all of us that get distracted and put our own safety at risk to get where we are going. We need to take some responsibility for our own safety and be doing what our parents taught us..."Look both ways before crossing the street, and just for good measure...look one more time before you step out!"
(email verified)
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 03:36 PM
This is yet another example of why European railways are constructed in such a fashion as to force pedestrians over or under the tracks, through the use of tunnels and bridges. TriMet, Metro and the city of Portland all decided they wanted a "friendlier" presentation, so they have all these problems. Granted, subways and elevateds are more expensive, but generally, the only fatalities are determined suicides. Better hope the train drivers don't go "postal" down at Saturday Market. One train could take out a lot people in one shot, since there are absolutely no barriers to keep people out of the tracks and people don't seem to know to get out of the way, even with bells and horns and security guards.
One other thing, trains are not "motor vehicles" they are "fixed guide-way". They operate under an entirely different set of rules. Technically speaking, any pedestrian loitering in the tracks is a trespasser, the exception being a pedestrian crossing at a right angle and moving with purpose. It's a rather simple premise: Don't want to get hit by a train? Don't run in front of it!
(email verified)
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 05:05 PM
If you leave in plenty of time and take along some common sense rules you will be fine. There are basic rules and yet people do not follow them. I see it every time I am on Max, people running for trains when it is clearly not safe to do so.
Don't EVER run across the tracks without looking both ways. If there is one train coming stay put. Use the cross walk button at the proper cross walk areas. Never ever run across the tracks where you should not even be at. Stand away from the edge of all platforms. The trains run every 15 to 30 minutes. No need to dart infront of a train, no job or appointment is worth your life.
Everyone is happy to bash Trimet.....and Trimet did not tell him to run across the tracks when it wasn't clear. God rest his soul & it's very sad. It's not the first time and it won't be the last. Trimet can put up all the barriers and saftey devices they want to & people will still run across when it's not safe. It's easier to blame others for the problems. People need to be a lot more careful. That is all there is to it.
(email verified)
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 07:43 PM
People,
Please be aware that one needs to look out for moving cars, truck and trains, as if struck, may produce injury.
A train is much bigger than you and could render a headache.
(email verified)
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 05:03 PM
More empty platitudes from Mary Fetch. How can that woman look at herself in the mirror every day?
Why do the trains not stop for all pedestrian crossings before proceeding through as a matter of course? Oh wait- that might be too logical.
(email verified)
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 05:38 PM
I ride Tri-Met buses/MAX regularly and have seen many, many of times people risk their lives, running in front of cars to catch Tri-Met buses or jump off MAX and race across the tracks to catch their bus. Additional safety measures are not needed. People need to use their brains and eyes and ears! Take responsibility for their own carelessness. Plain & simple!
(email verified)
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 03:03 AM
I didn't see it reported in the article if the train operator sounded a warning while approaching the platform. I've heard those bells used before as trains approach platforms and street/pedestrian crossings at 162nd & Burnside.
Could this also be operator error? If so, they seem to be on a roll lately. Regime change at Tri Met could do a lot for safety with someone to actually resolve personnel, safety, and equipment issues instead of denying knowledge or responsibility.
Brain-dead Ted should have fired Fumbling Fred a LONG time ago when thugs/drugs and gang bangers ruled Tri Met lines. But don't hold your breath on that.
(email verified)
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Thank you, "Centennial Neighbor", for re-affirming the stupidity of "the man in the street". More people are hit by motorists than by trains, how about motorists stop at every cross-walk? Or is that too much to ask, while you juggle your cell phone and latte? And you, "Don't Ride Tri Met"? It's not operator error when a moron chooses to run in front of a train. However, I do agree with you in that Fred has done nothing for Tri Met.
It's quite obvious that you people don't get how things work. If you want a socialist-nanny state, move to France. The only person responsible for you is YOU!
(email verified)
Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 10:30 AM
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Re: Gresham man killed at City Hall MAX station
Yet another reason not to take your family on MAX.
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(email verified)
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 01:09 PM