USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Grade Crossing Accident Injury Minimization Study

Document Series:
Technical Reports
Author:
  • Elmer J. Frey; Charles E. Theobald Jr .
Report Number
FRA/ORD-80/87
Office
RRD
Subject:
Accident ReductionGrade Crossing Modeling and SimulationGrade CrossingsHighway-Rail Grade Crossings
Keywords:
crashworthiness

The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate potential concepts for reducing injuries to highway occupants and train occupants in rail-highway grade crossing collisions. A review of railroad, highway vehicle, and aviation sources was made. The identified concepts were principally those from railroad crashworthiness and collision attenuation studies, plus some collision attenuation concepts from highway safety work. A list of concepts was developed and each approach evaluated for effectiveness according to a set of criteria based primarily on performance in normal operations and in accidents. Several concepts were rejected on this basis. Certain concepts were effective but applied to situations of very low statistical importance where preventive measures are more effective. Some numerical simulation of accidents was done in the evaluation. The more effective concepts consisted of a hard-faced deflector covering the locomotive coupler to remove the highway vehicle from the tracks, a soft crushable collision attenuator to reduce impact accelerations and forces. and increased use of rail brakes in passenger cars. Estimates of fatality reduction from various measures and of costs are made. It is concluded that testing of the more promising concepts is warranted. 17. Key Wordo Grade Crossing Accidents


DOT is committed to ensuring that information is available in appropriate alternative formats to meet the requirements of persons who have a disability. If you require an alternative version of files provided on this page, please contact FRADevOps@dot.gov.
Last updated: Monday, December 1, 1980