Enhanced Traffic Control Devices and Railroad Operations
for Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings:
Third-Year Activities
Authors: Daniel B. Fambro, PE; David A. Noyce, PE; Andre H.
Frieslaar, LuAnn D. Copeland
Date of Publication: July 1997
Sponsoring Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
Performing Organization: Texas Transportation Institute
Report No: FHWA/TX-98/1469-3
Abstract:
This research evaluated the effectiveness of a vehicle-activated strobe
light and supplemental sign as enhancements to the W10-1 sign (enhanced
sign system) at passive highway-railroad grade crossings. Three study
methods were developed for evaluating the effectiveness of the enhanced
sign system including a before and after speed study, a driver
survey, and a driver observation study. The study results can be
summarized as follows:
-
The enhanced sign system appears to increase driver awareness of the passive
highway-railroad grade crossing;
-
The enhanced sign system caused some drivers to approach the passive highway-railroad
grade crossing with additional caution;
-
Reductions in average speed on both the east and west approach to the passive
highway-railroad grade crossing were observed after the installation of
the enhanced sign system;
-
The strobe light was effective in directing driver's attention to the railroad
advance warning (W10-1) and supplemental signs, and;
-
The enhanced sign system did not cause any adverse driver reaction.
The results of this research indicate that the enhanced sign system can
be an effective traffic control device. It offers promise of increased
safety at passive highway-railroad grade crossings and appears worthy of
additional investigation and implementation.
No. of Pages: 52
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