Neighbors say trains can block roads for hours

Another tragic incident involving a train.

A person was hit and killed by one over in northwest Houston.

Police say that it happened just before 8 o'clock in the morning on the tracks near Antoine and Tidwell.

It is unclear what that person was doing on the track, but the rail company says it did not happen at a crossing.

No one on board of the train was hurt.

Now, there have been several incidents involving trains in recent months, and those who live near train crossings say they're growing more concerned.

ABC 13's Daniela Hurtado reports from east downtown.

Long waits, frustrated drivers and community members, and of course, a big concern every time these trains block any crossing across our city.

And actually, there's no federal restriction on the length of time these trains can sit at crossings.

And there's also no restriction on how long these trains can actually be.

They're just parked, like they were on lunch break or something.

Very inconvenient, you know what I mean?

And inconsiderate.

A sound and sight all too familiar for all who commute or live near a train track across Houston.

There's always have been a problem with the train.

I mean, every day, sometimes it stays on the track for hours.

Frustration mounds from the Fifth Ward to east of downtown and across neighborhoods across our city that experience these kinds of delays by stopped trains consistently.

Also, the trains are getting longer right now.

So, you know, we regularly see one and a half, two mile trains to the through the Houston complex.

And then, you know, they do have three mile trains that come through in the middle of the night.

And

Three mile trains, if you put that into perspective, that's almost downtown to the loop.

That's a really long train.

The Federal Railroad Administration is looking into this as they say they're concerned about the complexities of operating longer trains.

Through their research, they say long trains blocking crossings can impact emergency response.

Right now, while the FRA looks into this, there is no current statute that restricts the length of trains or how long they can block crossings.

To get the dollars and the studies in order to have the infrastructure to safely pass around trains.

A fight she and others across these communities say they'll continue to fight until they see change.

Daniela Hurtado, ABC 13 Eyewitness News.