Authors: Brian L. Bowman, Kevin P. McCarthy

Date of Publication:  December 1985

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration, Office of Safety & Traffic Operations, Research & Development

Performing Organization:  Goodell-Grivas, Inc.

Report No: FHWA/RD-86/014

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine the safety, economic, operational, and environmental consequences of requiring certain types of vehicles to stop at railroad crossings with active warning devices when the devices were not activated.  The study included an assessment of the positive and negative impacts on train and nontrain-involved accidents, traffic operations, fuel consumption, delay, pullout-lane construction/maintenance costs, and environmental degradation.

Results of the study indicate that not mandating stops at railroad crossings with active devices when the devices are not activated would result in an annual reduction of both train and nontrain accidents for hazardous material transporters, school buses, and passenger buses of 2.6, 10.8, and 17.4 percent, respectively.  The annual economic savings resulting from not requiring stops were estimated as $454,000 in accident costs, $1,241,000 in pullout-lane construction/maintenance costs, $12,267,000 in excess fuel consumption, and $1,510,000 in delay.
 

No. of Pages:  174