Orlando launches pilot program to catch train runners

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Train runners will soon receive letters in the mail to warn drivers to stop going around railroad crossings to beat the train.

Eyewitness News reported in April when the city of Orlando installed railroad cameras to catch drivers.

“What we are looking to do is demonstrate the technology can be used in a way to make driver a little more aware and get them to stop,” said Mike Rhodes, with city of Orlando Code Enforcement.

The violation is just a warning, and there’s also no mention of a fine. But the letter does ask violators to fill out a survey and asks questions about when and why they crossed when they shouldn't have.

The cameras at the railroad crossings are at Princeton Street near Alden and Central Boulevard near Garland, the city said.

The pilot program worries people like red-light camera opponent and attorney Kelli Hastings, who has fought red-light camera tickets in court.

“The question comes: Why are they issuing these letters? Are they anticipating that they are going to be able to pass some local ordinance and issue tickets for these types of things?” Hastings questioned.

Channel 9’s Racquel Asa asked the city if it's collecting data to start a railroad crossing enforcement program down the road that would work similar to its red-light camera program.

Code enforcement told Asa, "Not at this time.” Instead it told Eyewitness News it's going to leave that decision up to SunRail, the state or the Federal Railroad Administration.

The city told Eyewitness News the cameras will be around for a while. They plan to run the pilot program for up to two years.

The city said once the study is done it'll turn over all the data to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Cox Media Group