Authors: Anya A. Carroll, Jordan Multer, Debra Williams, Melvin A. Yaffee

Date of Publication:  January 1999

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. DOT - Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development

Performing Organization:  U.S. DOT - Research and Special Programs Administration, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Report No: DOT/FRA/ORD-98/11

Abstract:

Collisions at highway-railroad grade crossings have posed a significant safety problem.  To reduce the number of these collisions at highway-railroad grade crossings where train visibility is a contributing factor, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is investigating measures to enhance the visibility of trains with the use of retroreflectors on freight cars.

A four-phase research program was conducted to determine the feasibility of reflectorization as a train conspicuity device.  A literature review provided past and current transportation experiences on the use of retroreflectors.  A demonstration test was conducted to establish the durability of a newly developed (microprismatic) material, and to create a retroreflective pattern to test for the next phase of research.  A nationwide in-service test was conducted to measure the microprismatic retroreflectors' performance, accident reduction potential, and costs.  A human factors test was conducted to evaluate the detectability and recognition of several retroreflective designs.

Results from this research indicate that a uniform, recognizable pattern of reflectorized material can facilitate recognition of a freight car.  The durability of the microprismatic material tested indicates that adequate intensity levels can be sustained up to 10 years with maintenance.
 

No. of Pages:  192