Triple Effect: Railroads Rely on a Combination of Engineering, Enforcement and Education to Enhance Crossing Safety

This article describes new measures railroads and transportation departments are taking to prevent injuries and fatalities at railroad crossings. Using a combination of engineering, education and enforcement, railroads hope to eliminate the number of incidents; during the first nine months of 2007, there were 2,000 accidents and 261 fatalities, according to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) data. In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in partnership with the FRA and Norfolk Southern Railway began testing the country’s first retractable crossing safety barrier system. When a train approaches, posts pop up from self-contained cartridges recessed in the ground. In New Mexico, the DOT and local governments are installing curbs at five crossings that make it impossible for cars to go around the gates.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/4175009
• Authors:
  • Cotey, Angela
• Publication Date: 2008-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 32, 34-36
• Serial:
  • Progressive Railroading
  • Volume: 51
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Trade Press Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-0817
  • Serial URL: http://www.progressiverailroading.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Railroad grade crossings; Railroads; Traffic engineering; Traffic law enforcement; Traffic safety education
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01089414
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 2008 9:08AM