Vehicle proximity alert system for highway-railroad grade crossings: prototype research

Vehicle proximity alert systems (VPAS) prototypes have been examined for potential use in priority vehicles (i.e., emergency vehicles, school buses, vehicles carrying hazardous cargo, and large trucks) to alert operators of an approaching train. VPAS warnings are expected to be particularly beneficial for detecting a train approaching or traveling through the nearly 100,000 public crossings in the United States that lack active warning systems (e.g., flashing lights and gates). For the VPAS prototypes, the goals were to evaluate: (1) performance, (2) potential impact on the overall transportation system, (3) acceptance by user groups (e.g., motorists, train operators, railroad companies, and rail labor groups), (4) costs, (5) benefits, and (6) institutional and legal issues. The first goal (performance) was the primary focus of the VPAS test program. The objectives of a performance evaluation were to assess (1) the system's ability to perform as designed, (2) the system's ability to perform consistently, and (3) all system failures. Testing was performed in four phases to include (1) installation, calibration, and checkout, (2) repeatability, (3) performance limits and (4) response to adverse conditions. A pickup truck containing the test system's receiver served as the test vehicle for all testing. Three prototype systems were tested at TTCI and demonstrated that the concept of VPAS is feasible. The performance and features of the three systems tested were compared using four categories of evaluation criteria: (1) quantitative repeatability performance, (2) quantitative overall performance, (3) qualitative overall performance, and (4) qualitative general performance. The systems tested at TTCI demonstrated that the concept of VPAS for warning priority vehicles of the approach of a train to a grade crossing is feasible. This paper summarizes the test program and the salient findings.

• Corporate Authors:

  Monash University

  Wellington Road
  Clayton, Victoria  Australia  3800
• Authors:
  • Smailes, J A
  • Carroll, A A
  • Anderson, J F
• Conference:
  • INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSING RESEARCH AND SAFETY, 7TH, 2002, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: Proceedings: Seventh International Symposium on Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Research and Safety: Getting Active at Passive Crossings: Wednesday, Thursday 20-21 February 2002, Melbourne, Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Attitudes; Audible pedestrian signals; Audible warning devices in vehicles; Benefit cost analysis; Field tests; Performance; Railroad grade crossings; Reliability (Statistics); Vehicle detectors; Warning signals
• ATRI Terms: Accuracy; Attitude; Audible signal; Cost benefit analysis; Field test; Level crossing; Performance; Repeatability; Vehicle detector; Warning
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01392392
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 7:06AM