ALTERNATIVE PREEMPTION STRATEGIES FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS NEAR AT-GRADE RAILWAY CROSSINGS

This paper, from a set of conference proceedings on Intersection Safety: Achieving Solutions Through Partnerships (March 2004, Irvine, California), addresses pedestrian safety issues at signalized intersections near highway-railroad grade crossings (IHRGCs). The authors propose a new transition preemption strategy (ITPS) that is based on having an additional train detector located upstream from the IHRGC. Using information from this train detector, the mean arrival time and 90% prediction intervals of approaching trains are estimated and incorporated into traffic signal timing. This results in pedestrians being given enough time to safely cross the roads, and delays being minimized, while still ensuring current safety standards are met. The authors report on a test case at an IHRGC in College Station, Texas that has been outfitted with Doppler radar train detection equipment. The new algorithm is tested on a VISSIM simulation model, which has been calibrated to field conditions. The authors conclude that the ITPS algorithm improves both the safety and efficiency of IHRGCs.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0935403825
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Rilett, L R
  • Cho, H
• Conference:
  • Intersection Safety: Achieving Solutions Through Partnerships
  • Location: Irvine, California
  • Date: 2004-3-28 to 2004-3-31
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 16p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Conferences; Crosswalks; Doppler radar; Intersections; Pedestrian safety; Railroad signals; Safety engineering; Traffic actuated controllers; Traffic control devices; Traffic safety; Traffic signals
• Geographic Terms: College Station (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00988938
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0935403825
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 15 2005 12:00AM