HOW TO WORK FOR SAFER RAILROAD CROSSINGS

This article discusses efforts to reduce highway-railroad crossing accidents between motor vehicles and trains. There are about 260,000 highway-rail crossings in the U.S. and a collision occurred every 100 minutes, on average, in 1998. Over 50% of these crashes happened at crossings where active crossing devices exist (flashing light signals and automatic gates). Some safety advocates are promoting 4-gate setups that actively stop drivers from entering blocked crossings, and newer sensors that alert trains to objects ahead on the tracks have been developed. Statistics show that highway-rail crossing collisions, injuries, and fatalities have been declining for the last 5 years. These declines are largely due to the efforts of organizations such as Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit public awareness program. This organization develops effective public awareness and education efforts, and encourages the use of innovative solutions and best practices. Additional funding would enhance these efforts. A table of related statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration is included.

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• Corporate Authors:

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  P.O. Box 558
  Park Ridge, IL  United States  60068
• Publication Date: 1999-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 40-41
• Serial:
  • Better Roads
  • Volume: 69
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0006-0208
  • Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injuries; Crashes; Fatalities; Railroad grade crossings; Railroad safety; Railroad signals; Safety education; Traffic control devices
• Identifier Terms: Operation Lifesaver; U.S. Federal Railroad Administration
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00781913
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 5 2000 12:00AM