Can a deaf person tell when a train is approaching? At first glance, I’m inclined to think he or she might be able to sense it: either the ground rumbling, or the vibrations of the sound waves, or something. But tragically, at least in this case, the answer appears to be no, as an 18-year old was struck and killed along the tracks near Austin, Texas.
One has to wonder why an at-risk pedestrian was walking within one foot of the tracks. In general, the “shoulders” on the tracks are pretty wide.