These were not 'accidents'. Witnesses in Arlington Heights said the main was pacing, the train's whistle blew and HE jumped in its path. It makes me wondeer if there will be more suicide by trains with this economy. Something like when people jumped out windows during the stock market crash. There was another incident where the man layed on the tracks but didn't die - he just lost both legs.
I've been on one of the trains when someone decided to end it all. It was not a pleasant experience to see a seasoned engineer come out crying or being docked several hours pay for being late for work. Seems to me, trains are where they are supposed to be, people are not. A person on railroad tracks is a "trespasser" - - the trains don't kill - the headlines should read, "Another suicide delays commuters by HOURS".
Clearly, these are not sane people but at the same time, they only care about themselves and no one else.
Train safety is important yes, but you'll never stop the suicides. I suspect most of these so-called accidents are just that.
Maybe it's time METRA started using their police to enforce the tresspassing issue. People that run in front of trains should be arrested and fined heavily but I doubt METRA and the other railroads will every do anything because of their public image. Still a better mode of transportation than the "Chicago Expressways" and THAT (expressway) is an oxymoron!

I took the Metra line for 10 years and saw so many close calls due to people not wanting to be late for work. One person fell on the tracks as the train was coming and was able to crawl on the platform just as the train was approaching. No one was about to grab her because there was no chance to save her. Will people just think a little before trying to beat a train. How many extra minutes does it take to walk behind the train and got on the last car or wait for the next one. Accidents do happen but most of these accidents are by stupidity.