More than an Ounce of Prevention: Wisconsin Counts on Cameras, Closures, Barrier Gates, Recycled Equipment and Stop Signs to Make Crossings Safer

This article details Wisconsin’s efforts to reduce railroad-crossing accidents. Officials at Wisconsin’s Office of the Commissioner of Railroads in 1997 began to use surveys that analyze highway traffic, train frequency and speed to identify safety hazards. Since 1995 the commission has closed 80 crossings, but it is also relying on new equipment including vehicle-arresting barrier gates. The gates cost three times more than conventional gates, however, so the state is also recycling older equipment by upgrading it and installing it at low-traffic locations. The ultimate goal is to close two crossing for every new one that is opened.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/4175009
• Authors:
  • Weart, Walter
• Publication Date: 2006-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 37-38
• Serial:
  • Progressive Railroading
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Trade Press Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-0817
  • Serial URL: http://www.progressiverailroading.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Gates; Railroad grade crossings; Safety engineering
• Geographic Terms: Wisconsin
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01019384
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 1 2006 9:07AM