00495482

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1989/1244/1244-006.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...ards&publication_year=1989

As part of research to identify and evaluate innovative active warning devices with the potential for improving safety at railroad-highway grade crossings, candidate devices were identified and developed, and the most promising devices were evaluated in detailed laboratory studies. Based on the results of the laboratory evaluation, three devices were evaluated in the field at actual crossings. One of the innovative active warning devices evaluated in the field was a four-quadrant gate and flashing light signal system with skirts. A before-and-after study approach was used to evaluate the four-quadrant gate system. Data were collected on measures of effectiveness (MOEs) at the existing crossing with the standard two-quadrant gate system and then again at the same crossing after the four-quadrant gate system had been installed to allow a direct comparison of the impact on the MOEs. With the installation of the four-quadrant gate system, MOEs such as speeds, perception-brake reaction times, and deceleration levels did not indicate a change in driver behavior. There were no measurable safety disadvantages to the four-quadrant gate system as measured by these MOEs. The four-quadrant gate system had no effect on the level of service at the crossing but had a positive effect on driver behavior at the crossing by eliminating risky and illegal behavior as well as violations at the crossing, thus producing superb improvements in safety MOEs. Such benefits are especially important at crossings with limited sight distance, high-speed trains, and multiple tracks.

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

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p. 39-51

1989

Transportation Research Record

0309049709

Figures (2) ; Photos (4) ; References (17) ; Tables (8)

Before and after studies; Behavior; Benefits; Drivers; Field tests; Hazards; Laboratory tests; Level of service; Measures of effectiveness; Railroad grade crossings; Risk assessment; Safety; Technological innovations; Traffic violations; Warning devices

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jul 31 1990 12:00AM

• AGE DIFFERENCES IN A VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING CAPABILITY UNDERLYING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE USAGE
• ALL-WAY STOPS: A NEW POLICY (WITH DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• ARIZONA'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE 65-MPH SPEED LIMIT
• EFFECTS OF ACTUATED SIGNAL SETTINGS AND DETECTOR PLACEMENT ON VEHICLE DELAY
• EVALUATION OF TWO ACTIVE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES FOR USE AT RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS
• EVALUATION OF UNMANNED RADAR INSTALLATIONS
• PROPOSED PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AT SCHOOL CROSSINGS