A METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINATION OF GRADE CROSSING RESOURCE-ALLOCATION GUIDELINES

The report describes a computer-aided analytical approach to estimation of the potential benefits, costs, and implementation associated with allocation of grade crossing safety resources. Three types of information are required as input: (1) the grade crossing population, categorized by hazard, location (urban/rural), and existing warning systems; (2) warning system alternatives, characterized by cost and effectiveness; and (3) criteria for acceptable or preferred resource-allocation strategies (required benefit-cost ratio, total resources available, number of fatalities to be prevented, etc). A computer program has been prepared that determines all solutions meeting stated criteria and characterizes them in detail (specifying warning systems for each crossing category). Operation is highly interactive, and requires only seconds of computer time. Examples are presented based upon national statistics, and cases are chosen to indicate sensitivity to uncertainties in input data.

• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/methodology-determination-grade-crossing-resource-allocation-guidelines
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • (PC A04/MF A01)
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hopkins, J B
  • Hazel, M E
• Publication Date: 1975-8

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: 68 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Computer programs; Crash risk forecasting; Fences; Grade crossing protection systems; Hazard analysis; Hazards; Highways; Intersections; Lamps; Prevention; Railroad grade crossings; Railroads; Risk assessment; Safety; Safety equipment; Traffic engineering; Traffic safety; Traffic signals; Warning systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Grade crossing protection; Grade crossing safety
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145547
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-TSC-FRA-75-15 Final Rpt., FRA/ORD-76/04
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 16 1977 12:00AM