Author: Mark Mironer, Michael Coltman, Robert McCown

Date of Publication:  2000

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Railroad Development

Performing Organization:  U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Report No: DOT-VNTSC-FRA-00-03

Abstract:

The report describes a risk-based approach for assessing the implications of higher train speeds on highway-railroad grade crossing safety, and allocating limited resources to best reduce this risk. To predict accident frequency, an existing DOT model was extended to include higher speeds. Accidents were statistically grouped according to crash mechanics. By using historical data and crashworthiness analysis, the severity of an accident was estimated independently for the highway users and train occupants based on a number of factors. These included accident type, type of highway vehicle, type of train, and train speed.

The Empire Corridor in New York State was used to illustrate the application of the approach. The study concludes that the increased risk due to higher train speeds can often be more than offset by implementing standard crossing improvements. The analysis shows that improving the highest risk crossings in a corridor, rather than the crossings with the highest train speed, produces the greatest benefit. The report finds that the risk to highway users saturates at train speeds around 65 mph, and that the risk to train occupants does not increase dramatically with train speed. The report recommends an incremental migration to improved safety.
 

No. of Pages:  51