GRADE-CROSSING WARNING-SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY

This paper reviews the objectives, content, and results of a large number of research projects sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration and related to possible improvement concepts associated with motorist-warning systems at railroad-highway grade crossings. The benefits sought included increased effectiveness, reduced cost, and elimination of institutional constraints. The subjects that were investigated include the application of modularization concepts and alternative components in warning-control logic systems, cost reduction in automatic gate equipment, flashing lights using xenon flashlamp technology, functional requirements and the relevant equipment for lightning protection and standby power, and studies of alternative or novel warning system concepts. The potential for meaningful advances is found to be limited and is severely constrained by the technically challenging nature of the functional and safety requirements. /Author/

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1977/628/628-001.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=GRADE-CROSSING+WARNING-SYSTEM+TECHNOLOGY&author=J.+Hopkins&publication_year=1977
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Railroad Highway Grade Crossings. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Hopkins, John B
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 1-6
• Monograph Title: Lighting, visibility and railroad-highway grade crossings
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 628
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: At grade intersections; Automation; Costs; Electric power supply; Fail safe systems; Flashing traffic signals; Grade crossing protection systems; Measures of effectiveness; Railroad grade crossings; Research; Safety; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Old TRIS Terms: Grade crossing protection
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways; Railroads; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168075
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309026539
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-022 157
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 30 1978 12:00AM