Are they also protesting the frieght trains that are often heavier and noisier? Or just the trains that let “poor people” get around?
Every rail in an urban area near me has signs saying not to block the track. Every crossing on a busy road has lights and crossing bars. Every low traffic crossing has warning signs and a STOP before crossing.
These signs are for drivers, drivers are trained to recognize them and they resemble all the other road signs drivers are expected to follow.
If your area is using similar signage then this is 100% on negligent drivers. If they replace that rail with a road are drivers just going to run the red or gridlock the intersection like they currently treat the rail crossing?