EVALUATION OF TWO ACTIVE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES FOR USE AT RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS

Two active traffic control devices with the potential for improving safety at railroad-highway grade crossings were identified by a detailed laboratory evaluation as candidates for field testing under normal traffic conditions at actual crossings. Two crossings with active warning devices already in place were identified as potential study sites, and train and driver behavior data were collected both before and after the experimental traffic control devices were installed. The two devices evaluated for use at railroad-highway grade crossings were four-quadrant flashing light signals with overhead strobes and standard highway traffic signals. Based on the results of the field evaluation, there were no measurable differences in driver behavior between four-quadrant flashing light signals with overhead strobes and the standard two-quadrant flashing light signals. The warning system itself was operationally feasible and may have some limited application. The highway traffic signal proved to be both feasible and effective as a grade crossing traffic control device. Driver response to the highway traffic signal was excellent, with the traffic signal outperforming standard flashing light signals on several key safety and driver behavioral measures of effectiveness. Additional testing of this system is recommended.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1989/1244/1244-007.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=EVALUATION+OF+TWO+ACTIVE+TRAFFIC+CONTROL+DEVICES+FOR+USE+AT+RAILROAD-HIGHWAY+GRADE+CROSSINGS&author=D.+Fambro&author=K.+Heathington&author=S.+Richards&publication_year=1989
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1244, Traffic and Grade Crossing Control Devices. 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:
  • Fambro, Daniel B
  • Heathington, K W
  • Richards, Stephen H
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 52-62
• Monograph Title: Traffic and grade crossing control devices
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1244
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Behavior; Drivers; Feasibility analysis; Field tests; Flashing traffic signals; Laboratory tests; Measures of effectiveness; Performance evaluations; Railroad grade crossings; Safety; Traffic control devices; Traffic signals; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Flashing lights
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495483
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309049709
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 31 1990 12:00AM