Rail-Highway grade crossing safety and operational problems involve two components -- the highway and the railroad. The highway component involves drivers, pedestrians, vehicles and roadway segments in the vicinity of the crossing. The railroad component involves the trains and the tracks at the crossing. The element of risk present at a given location is a function of the ch~lracteristicsof the two components and their corresponding;elements. Several formulas are described which seek to quantify the degree of risk, identify the locations most urgently in need of improvement, and prioritize the hazardous locations which have been isolated. Various types of at-grade crossing improvements described include active warning devices, passive warning devices, sight distance improvements, operational improvements, and crossing surface improvements. Grade separations, or crossing closures are suggested as improvement solutions where either extremely high or low demand for the crossing exists. The ultimate choice for a crossing improvement is determined by balancing the benefits in accident reduction and reduced user costs against costs for the improvement. Procedures, models and computer programs which will assist making these selections are described. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting