EVALUATION OF SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT HIGHWAY-RAILWAY GRADE CROSSINGS

In recognition that added effort must be placed on reducing the conflict at highway-railroad grade crossings, this research to evaluate means of supplying motorists with more credible and forceful information was developed. Many innovative active protection devices for grade crossings have been tried or proposed. Many such devices are reviewed with evaluations of their effectiveness, if any were available. The "Monon green light" signal, several of which are in Indiana, was field observed for effectiveness and recommendations are made for improvements. A study of speed profiles of vehicles approaching a crossing protected by a standard flashing light system is also reported. A photographic data collection system was developed which allowed determination of vehicle speed profiles, thus indicating driver reaction to the crossing condition. Speed profiles for nonactuated and actuated signal conditions are analyzed. It was determined that drivers approaching the crossing under progressively greater stimulus relative to an approaching train entered the approach at correspondingly slower speeds.

Supplemental Notes:
- Conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
Corporate Authors:
Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP

Purdue University, School of Civil Engineering
West Lafayette, IN United States 47907-1284
Authors:
- Butcher, T A
Publication Date: 1973-2

Media Info

Features: Figures; References; Tables;
Pagination: 138 p.

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Grade crossing protection systems; Railroad grade crossings; Safety; Warning systems
Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00057537
Record Type: Publication
Source Agency: Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP
Report/Paper Numbers: JHRP-1-73 Intrm Rpt.
Contract Numbers: HPR-1(10)Part 2
Files: TRIS
Created Date: Oct 5 1976 12:00AM