The human errors of road vehicle drivers at grade crossings are broadly considered as the main cause for grade-crossing accidents. The drivers' misconducts at crossings are classified into two categories of unintended errors and intended errors. But it was found that previous technologies developed for improving crossing safety were mainly on correcting drivers' unintended behaviors rather than intended errors although the intended ones accounted for the major part of grade-crossing accidents. Thus, this study aims to develop a conceptual control system to reduce the drivers' intended errors at automatic crossings in Taiwan. The control practices utilize two human intended error prevention concepts that have been proven effective: constant warning time (CWT) and nature protection (NP), and integrates them into one system to attain a multiplying effect. In accordance with the developed concepts, the control layouts are planned and are justified to be technically feasible in existing Taiwan railway systems. Also, the preliminary empirical studies indicate that the conceptual systems could bring about substantiate effects in accident reductions and are assessed to be economically beneficial.
Abstract