Survey of Driver Perceptions of Railroad and Light Rail Warning Devices/Grade Crossings

The objective of this study is to conduct a human factors survey to understand drivers' behavior and perceptions at various types of railroad and light rail crossings, and determine their understanding of different types of traffic control devices. This understanding would help to take necessary steps to improve the safety of railroad and light rail crossings, and also determine the appropriate information that should be included in the driver manuals. A human factors experiment was conducted which studied 38 subjects about their perceptions and decision makings while a car traveled approaching railroad crossings. Results of the study suggest that some traffic control devices used in the vicinity of railroad grade crossings, such as stop sign and traffic signal lights, should be implemented carefully to avoid confusion to drivers. Many drivers are not familiar with traffic control devices or roadway layout at light rail crossings. A proposed section to address driving issues related to railroad crossing was drafted based on the experiment results, literature review, and comparison of other states' driver manuals. A simulated driver test was conducted using questions constructed based on information in the 2004 New Jersey Driver Manual and the proposed railroad crossing section. Human factors research methodology has been demonstrated to be an effective approach for studying driver perception and driving behaviors on the current traffic safety project.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.nj.gov/transportation/business/research/reports/FHWA-NJ-2004-025.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark

  Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  Newark, NJ  United States  07102

  New Jersey Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Research, 1035 Parkway Avenue, P.O. Box 600
  Trenton, NJ  United States  08625-0600

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Jeng, One-Jang
• Publication Date: 2005-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 74p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Decision making; Drivers; Human factors; Light rail transit; Light rail transit grade crossings; Literature reviews; Methodology; Perception; Railroad grade crossings; Stop signs; Surveys; Traffic control devices; Traffic safety; Traffic signals
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver manuals
• Geographic Terms: New Jersey
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01020828
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-NJ-2004-025
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 28 2006 3:25PM