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This report is a preliminary examination of special aspects of grade crossing protection for operation of high-speed passenger trains in rail corridors for which complete grade separation is not possible. Overall system needs and constraints are indicated, and their implications examined....
The report describes a study of the most effective and practical means of enhancing the conspicuity of the trailing end of trains, in order to reduce the possibility of train--train collisions. There are five elements: (a) Definition of a usable number of categories of target, background, and...
This report summarizes a comprehensive study of potential means of reducing the probability of train-motor vehicle collisions at railroad-highway grade crossings through enhancement of the visual conspicuity of locomotives. Passive techniques are reviewed, and requirements and constraints upon...
Flashing xenon strobe lamps were installed on locomotives in revenue service as a means of alerting motorists to the hazards they are approaching at a rail-highway grade crossing. Effectiveness of these lights in attracting motorists’ attention was evaluated. The reactions of both motorists and...
Previous studies indicate that one promising avenue to grade-crossing motorist-warning systems, offering lower cost and independent of railroad-track circuits, is use of a radio-communication link for signal activation. By this means, the presence of a train approaching a crossing can be...
This report describes a computer-aided analytical approach to estimation of the potential benefits, costs, and implementation implications associated with allocation of grade crossing safety resources. Three types of information are required as input: (1) the grade crossing population,...
In response to the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, a joint government/industry effort to compile a national inventory of railroad-highway crossings was initiated in 1972 and completed in 1976. The inventory contains data on the physical and operational characteristics of all 402,000...
Inventory Status as of May 1978. In response to the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, a joint government/industry effort to compile a national inventory of railroad-highway crossings was initiated in 1972 and completed in 1976. The inventory contains data on the physical and operational...
This report discusses the effect on a railroad's legal liability for railroad-highway grade crossing accident costs when that railroad uses innovative grade crossing safety equipment. Its purpose is to evaluate the assertion that a railroad's use of innovative warning device technology increases...