Signal Shunting Performance Related to Application of Wayside-Based Top of Rail Friction Control Materials
This study examined whether a top-of-rail friction control system impacted track circuits or signaling systems at grade crossings.
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Feasibility Studies of Integrating Intelligent Transportation Systems and Positive Train Control Technologies at Highway-Rail Intersections
This study examined the safety benefits of new intelligent transportation systems technologies, including vehicle proximity alerting systems, for use at grade crossings.
Alerting Lights on Locomotives
Researchers examined whether locomotive alerting lights and patterns were effective at helping people recognize oncoming trains.
Effects of Active Warning Reliability on Motorist Compliance at Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration is interested in understanding the effect of warning reliability on motorist compliance to warnings at active grade crossings. The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center conducted two studies to examine motorist behavior as a consequence of...
Private Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Research and Inquiry
This report provides a summary of the private highway-rail grade crossing safety inquiry conducted by the United States Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration and the Volpe Center. The safety inquiry consisted of a series of public meetings to solicit oral commentary on the...
North American Joint Positive Train Control System Four-Quadrant Gate Reliability Assessment
This study assessed the reliability of four-quadrant gates and vehicle detection equipment for a future high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and St Louis.
Driver Behavior at Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: A Literature Review from 1990-2006
Accidents at grade crossings continue to be the leading cause of fatalities in the railroad industry. A large proportion of these accidents are the result of driver error. The purpose of this report is to review research that addresses driver behavior at grade crossings to better understand the...
An Application of Signal Detection Theory for Understanding Driver Behavior at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
We used signal detection theory to examine if grade crossing warning devices were effective because they increased drivers’ sensitivity to a train’s approach or because they encouraged drivers to stop. We estimated d' and β for eight warning devices using 2006 data from the Federal Railroad...
Effects of Active Warning Reliability on Motorist Compliance at Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings
Researchers examined how the reliability of warning devices affected driver compliance with flashing lights and gates at grade crossings.
Success Factors in the Reduction of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Incidents from 1994 to 2003
Between the years 1994 and 2003, incidents at highway-rail grade crossings declined by 41.2 percent. The reasons for this decline were unknown. The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center was tasked by the Federal Railroad Administration to identify the salient success factors in...