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Title:

TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR GRADE CROSSING PROTECTION

Accession Number:

00083969

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981

Abstract:

Recent interest in improvement of safety at railroad-highway grade crossings has been accompanied by a growing involvement of government at all levels. Public responsibility typically has been confined to providing funding, developing information, planning, and regulating; the design, installation, and maintenance of automatic protection has been exclusively a railroad activity. This paper examines the technical limitations that constrain public authorities from taking total responsibility for crossing protection devices, which are the only highway traffic control devices that are not the responsibility of highway officials. Research directed toward removal of those limitations is described. A review of the legal history and current role of governmental units precedes a description of conventional technology in terms of impact on a wider public role. Means of train detection and motorist warnings are discussed; the conclusion drawn is that the principal technological impediment to non-railroad responsibility for crossing protection is the present dependence on track circuit techniques for determination of train presence. Recent research directed at removing this constraint is presented. Analysis of system requirements and available technology has identified a discrete train detector-microwave communication link concept, and the results of field testing indicate a number of attractive features and general feasibility.

Supplemental Notes:

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings. 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.

Monograph Title:

Traffic operations

Monograph Accession #:

01411383

Authors:

Hopkins, John B

Pagination:

pp 33-43

Publication Date:

1974

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 514
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

Conference:

53rd Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board

Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
Date: 1974-1-21 to 1974-1-25

ISBN:

0309023580

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures (4) ; Photos; References (8)

Uncontrolled Terms:

Old TRIS Terms:

Subject Areas:

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Apr 8 1976 12:00AM

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