Grand River Transit

[isUsername]

That bus that ran through a closed gate with flashing signals.  If we can't make some assumptions (i.e. that buses will stop at red lights), then we can't function as a society.

Key issues in the investigation
...
Expectation and driver perception
Over the previous 12 months, the driver had dozens of shifts in a double-decker bus, and had driven over the Transitway crossing approximately 60 times. However, given the varied schedules of OC Transpo buses and VIA trains, the driver would rarely have encountered a train at this crossing. Drivers who are familiar with a crossing and who have a “no trains” expectation tend not to look in either direction while approaching a crossing and are less likely to reduce their approach speed than drivers who are unfamiliar with a crossing.

(Source: Collision between OC Transpo bus and VIA passenger train: Executive summary)

In other words, drivers developed habits (i.e. speeding around a blind curve) that relied on the assumption that no train would be present.

I think that the benefits of not having buses stop at protected crossings will typically far outweigh the risks, but the Ottawa accident showed what could happen when a driver was subjected to poor sight-lines and multiple distractions while approaching a rail crossing that they rarely needed to stop at. If the Region does move to eliminate this requirement, they'll need to ensure that the risks identified by the TSB are sufficiently addressed.