The crossing gate down by the warehouse hasn't worked for the last week but few people use that road. Now it's 10 P.M. and a carload of kids is taking a shortcut home from the Friday night football game. The Chicago-bound freight is picking up speed and heading through town on time.

Currently, malfunctioning railroad crossing signals are reported by police, fire, or other individuals who happen to notice that the signal is broken. To check every crossing on the line would require hundreds of manhours and the possibility of overlooking even one is great.