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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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
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Corporate Authors:
N/A
P.O. Box 558
Park Ridge, IL United States 60068 - Publication Date: 1999-12
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Tables;
- Pagination: p. 40-41
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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