This research was undertaken by Korve Engineering, Inc. under TCRP Project A-5, `Integration of Light Rail Transit into City Streets'. To achieve the project objectives, the research agency visited 10 North American cities with LRT systems: Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. An inventory of LRT alignments, traffic control devices, and accident experience was assembled. Measures of effectiveness were identified, and methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of traffic engineering treatments for LRT systems were developed. LRT accident data were related to the alignment and the traffic control devices in use at the accident site to develop guidelines for selection of LRT alignments and for LRT-related traffic control devices. The report also identifies effective enforcement and public safety educational techniques that have been employed by various LRT operating agencies. The principal findings of the study are (1) LRT system design should respect and adapt to the existing urban environment; (2) LRT system design should comply with motorist and pedestrian expectations; (3) decisions by motorists and pedestrians who interact with the LRT should be kept as simple as possible; (4) traffic control devices related to LRT operations should clearly communicate the level of risk associated with the LRT system; and (5) LRT system design should provide recovery opportunities for erratic motor vehicle and pedestrian movements. Draft materials from this project have been provided to the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for possible inclusion in the next update of the MUTCD. Two companion TCRP projects are underway as of this writing that focus on LRT safety at highway grade crossings. TCRP Project A- 13, `Light Rail Service: Pedestrian and Vehicular Safety', addresses LRT operations in exclusive right-of-way, focusing on motor vehicle and pedestrian conflicts at grade crossings. TCRP Project A-5A, `Active Train Coming/Second Train Coming Sign Demonstration Project', was recommended by the Project A-5 research agency to address the motorist and pedestrian hazard created by two LRT trains approaching a grade crossing at the same time.
Samenvatting