00474261

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1986/1069/1069-018.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...rthy&publication_year=1986

The results are presented of one task of a study sponsored by FHWA to determine the use and installation criteria of railroad constant warning time (CWT) systems. These systems measure train speed, direction, and distance from the crossing and estimate train arrival time. When a preselected minimum estimated arrival time is reached, the warning displays at the crossing are activated. The result is a more uniform warning time until train arrival for motorists than that provided by traditional train detection systems. Results of task activities indicate that no quantitative guidelines have been established by either the states or the railroads as to when CWT systems should be installed. Switching activity, annual average daily traffic maximum speed, and train speed variation were found to be variables, however, that were inherently considered when the need for CWT installations was determined. The necessary limits on each of these variables or their combinations that justify installation are apparently judgmental and performed on a crossing-by-crossing basis. Using information from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)/Association of American Railroads (AAR) National Railroad-Highway Crossing Inventory along with the purchasing information supplied by CWT manufacturers, it was estimated that 6,300 crossings already have CWT installations. Discriminant analysis indicated that of all crossings, 19,400 may require CWT systems, which indicates that an additional 13,100 crossings have the physical and operational characteristics that may require CWT systems.

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

00490259

HS-040 107

pp 110-117

1986

Transportation Research Record

0-309-04063-9

Print

Figures (2) ; References (2) ; Tables (6)

Discriminant analysis; Needs assessment; Operating speed; Railroad grade crossings; Railroad trains; Speed; Switching; Traffic speed; Train operations; Warning systems

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I73: Traffic Control

HSL, TRIS, TRB

Oct 31 1990 12:00AM

• A FURTHER NOTE ON UNDULATION AS A SPEED CONTROL DEVICE
• A PROBABILISTIC APPROACH FOR DETERMINING THE CHANGE INTERVAL (DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• A REASSESSMENT OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CHANGE INTERVAL
• ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF FLASHING TRAFFIC SIGNAL OPERATION IN PORTLAND, OREGON
• ADAPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RAIL-HIGHWAY CROSSING RESOURCE ALLOCATION MODEL TO THE MICROCOMPUTER
• ANALYTICAL WARRANT FOR SEPARATE LEFT-TURN PHASING (ABRIDGMENT)
• COUNTERING SIGN VANDALISM WITH PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISING (ABRIDGMENT)
• CRITIQUE OF RAIL-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSING EFFECTIVENESS RATIOS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES (DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• EFFECTIVENESS OF FLASHING BEACONS IN REDUCING ACCIDENTS AT A HAZARDOUS RURAL CURVE (ABRIDGMENT)
• GUIDELINES FOR PROTECTED/PERMISSIVE LEFT-TURN SIGNAL PHASING
• GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING TYPE OF LEFT-TURN PHASING
• RUMBLE STRIPS AND PAINT STRIPES AT A RURAL INTERSECTION
• THE EFFECTS OF WIDE EDGE LINES ON LATERAL PLACEMENT AND SPEED ON TWO-LANE RURAL ROADS
• THE SAFETY, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF REQUIRING STOPS AT RAILROAD-HIGHWAY CROSSINGS
• TIMING DESIGN OF SIGNAL CHANGE INTERVALS (DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• TIMING DESIGN OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS
• VALIDATION OF A TRAFFIC MODEL