Author: Benjamin Coifman and Robert L. Bertini
Sponsoring Agency: California Path Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkley
Date of Publication: 1997
Abstract:
This paper focuses on accident causation and countermeasures at arterial
median light rail grade crossings. Unlike conventional railroad grade crossings,
light rail systems often incorporate a grade crossing into an intersection
environment. These complex intersections can be confusing to drivers and lead to
a high proportion of accidents where drivers turn into or in front of an LRV
traveling the same direction. It can be a matter of centimeters from the left
turn lane to the right-of-way on the median trackage. In the case of
side-running alignment and right turn accidents, there are often no turn lanes
and drivers frequently neglect to use their turn signals. As a result, the light
rail operators often lack sufficient warning time to respond to an illegal
automobile movement. Only a handful of literature has been published on this topic and we seek to
synthesize accident causation literature from many fields as it relates to the
median crossing. Although it is highly relevant to existing light rail systems,
this paper should be of particular importance to the startup system still in the
design phase.
No. of Pages: 32
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