Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program The Metro Blue Line In Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles Metro Blue Line (MBL) is a light rail system running south from downtown Los Angeles to the City of Long Beach. The total route is approximately 22 miles long, half of which is paralleled by Southern Pacific (SP) freight track. Vehicles and pedestrians using at-grade street crossings in areas involving SP track must cross two MBL tracks and either one or two SP tracks.

There are 100 grade crossings on the MBL; all crossings are protected by means of appropriate signs and equipment. Crossing protection devices include traffic signals, gates, flashing lights/bells, stop signs and train actuated "No Left Turn" signals at driveways and alleys in downtown Los Angeles. Train speeds vary from 35 mph in street running to 55 mph in the gated area.

From the opening of the MBL through May 1994, there have been 227 train vs. auto and train vs. pedestrian collisions, resulting in 23 deaths and numerous injuries. In March 1993, the MTA Board of Directors approved the MBL Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program. The project was designed to implement selected improvements at MBL grade crossings which would serve to reduce the number of accidents and enhance public safety at the crossings. The MBL Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program includes engineering, enforcement, education and legislation.