On the same day there was another VIA Rail signal malfunction at a Barrhaven crossing, this time on Greenbank Road, an independent review is recommending OC Transpo keep its current policy of not stopping at non-flashing railway crossings.

The review was conducted by MMM Group.

The city paid $34,000 for the study in the aftermath of the September 18, 2013  fatal OC Transpo- Via Train transitway crash near Fallowfield Station which killed six people.

The independent review says there's actually more risk of causing collisions if buses have to stop.

Other transit systems such as Gatineau's STO, Toronto's TTC, and even Cornwall have policies which call for stopping at crossings.

School buses and inter-city buses also stop at rail crossings.

There are 75 level crossings in Ottawa.

The Transit Commission is expected to deal with the issue at its regular meeting next week.

OC Transpo also announced today that new rail gates will be installed at four crossings: Herzberg, Lester, March Road, and McCarthy Road.

On Wednesday, a listener on 580 CFRA sent host Rob Snow a picture showing a train going through a crossing on Greenbank Road without the protective barriers down or lights flashing. VIA Rail spokesperson Jacques Gagnon said they were "deactivated" due to repair work at Jockvale Rd. and Strandherd Drive, the sites of other malfunctions a few days ago.

Gagnon said workers followed procedure when personnel physically got out of the train to stop traffic before proceeding through the crossing.

Gagnon said at no time were drivers or pedestrians at risk.