scholarly journals Exploring the Effects of Signs’ Design and In-Vehicle Audio Warning on Driver Behavior at Flashing-Light-Controlled Grade Crossings: A Driving Simulator-Based Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingsi Yang ◽  
Xuedong Yan ◽  
Qingwan Xue ◽  
Xiaomeng Li ◽  
Ke Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Complex Environment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Pavement Markings ◽  
Crossing Time ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Flashing Light ◽  
Grade Crossings

The complex environment at grade crossings and the severe collision consequences give rise to the concern of safety condition at crossings among traffic control authorities. Optimizing conventional devices and applying emerging technologies are worthwhile measures to improve the safety conditions at grade crossings. In this study, a flashing-light running (FLR) warning system was proposed to reduce crossing violation and improve performances of drivers at flashing-light-controlled grade crossings (FLCGCs). Forty-four fully licensed drivers aged between 30 and 48 years participated in a driving simulator study to investigate the efficacy of two countermeasures of the system: proposed design of signs and pavement markings (PSM) for grade crossing, and two-stage in-vehicle audio warning (IVAW) technology. A range of flashing light trigger timing and two foggy conditions were designed in this experiment to test the system applicability. Drivers’ gender and vocation were considered as well to examine drivers’ adaptation to the new proposed system. Five variables were collected and analyzed in this study to investigate the effectiveness of the system, i.e., drivers’ compliance, approaching mean speed, brake reaction time, deceleration, and red-to-crossing time. Results showed that drivers’ driving performances were improved in both PSM only condition and PSM + W condition. The FLR warning system could eliminate the negative effects of foggy weather and reduce gender differences in driver behaviors to some extent. These findings suggested that the FLR warning system has a potential to reduce the probability of grade crossing collisions.

Preliminary Analysis of Light Rail Crashes in Denver, Colorado

2012 ◽  
Vol 2275 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela M. Fischhaber ◽  
Bruce N. Janson
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Traffic Signals ◽  
Control Device ◽  
Light Rail ◽  
Crash Prediction ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of light rail crashes at at-grade crossings in Denver, Colorado, based on Regional Transportation District data for 1999 through 2009. Differences in design and operation of at-grade crossings are discussed for light rail versus common carrier railroad (railroad). The differences appear to warrant the development of separate crash prediction and hazard index models because models developed for railroad at-grade crossing operations may not accurately predict the number and severity of crashes at light rail at-grade crossings. In addition, the models developed for railroads do not predict crashes at crossings for some traffic control device types such as traffic signals. The lack of information for crossings controlled by traffic signals in the railroad crash prediction equations is one reason why equations specific to light rail may need to be developed. This study identifies patterns in light rail crossing crash data that warrant further investigation and support the development of crash prediction models and hazard index equations specific to light rail at-grade crossing configurations and operations.

scholarly journals Effect of Dynamic Envelope Pavement Markings on Vehicle Driver Behavior at a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Gabree ◽  
Stephanie Chase ◽  
Marco daSilva
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Pavement Markings ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Stop Line

The United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), under the direction of the USDOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research and Development (R&D), recently completed a study on the use of pavement markings to reduce instances of vehicles stopping on the tracks at grade crossings. Specifically, the study evaluated the effectiveness of pavement markings placed within the dynamic envelope, the region between and immediately adjacent to the tracks at a grade crossing, and new corresponding signage at the Commercial Boulevard grade crossing (ID# 628186E) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The goal of this research study was to gain an understanding of the effect of dynamic envelope pavement markings and accompanying signage on driver’s not stopping while traversing the tracks. The addition of the dynamic envelope markings and signage is intended to make this area more pronounced, resulting in fewer motorists entering the dynamic envelope if they are unable to exit the other side. Researchers coded driver stopping behavior at this crossing before and after the surface treatments were installed. Vehicles were coded as having stopped in one of four zones: behind the stop line and gate arm (Zone 1), past the stop line but before the tracks (Zone 2), on the tracks (Zone 3), or immediately after the tracks (Zone 4). Stopping in Zone 3 is considered to be the most dangerous behavior that a driver could perform, while stopping in Zone 1 is the safest. The goal of the added markings and signage is to reduce the number of vehicles which come to a stop within the dynamic envelope, thus reducing the possibility that a vehicle is present on the tracks when a train approaches resulting in a collision. The addition of the dynamic envelope pavement markings and modified signage resulted in a statistically significant change in driver stopping behavior. Specifically, the pavement markings and signage reduced the proportion of vehicles that stopped in Zone 3, resulting in a 45% reduction in vehicles stopped in Zone 3 for eastbound vehicles and 14% for westbound vehicles. They also increased the proportion of vehicles stopping in Zone 1, which is the safest behavior a driver can perform (9% increase for eastbound and 6% increase for westbound). Additionally, fewer vehicles were found to stop in both Zone 2 and Zone 4, which are both moderately dangerous. Based on these results, the Florida Department of Transportation is exploring the use of this safety treatment at additional grade crossings with a high risk for unsafe vehicle stopping behavior.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Assessment of the Existing Accident and Hazard Prediction Models for the Highway-Rail Grade Crossings in the State of Florida

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junayed Pasha ◽  
Maxim A. Dulebenets ◽  
Olumide F. Abioye ◽  
Masoud Kavoosi ◽  
Ren Moses ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
The State ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Index Formula ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Priority Index ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings

Accidents at highway-rail grade crossings can cause fatalities and injuries, as well as significant property damages. In order to prevent accidents, certain upgrades need to be made at highway-rail grade crossings. However, due to limited monetary resources, only the most hazardous highway-rail grade crossings should receive a priority for upgrading. Hence, accident/hazard prediction models are required to identify the most hazardous highway-rail grade crossings for safety improvement projects. This study selects and evaluates the accident and hazard prediction models found in the highway-rail grade crossing safety literature to rank the highway-rail grade crossings in the State of Florida. Three approaches are undertaken to evaluate the candidate accident and hazard prediction models, including the chi-square statistic, grouping of crossings based on the actual accident data, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The analysis was conducted for the 589 highway-rail grade crossings located in the State of Florida using the data available through the highway-rail grade crossing inventory database maintained by the Federal Railroad Administration. As a result of the performed analysis, a new hazard prediction model, named as the Florida Priority Index Formula, is recommended to rank/prioritize the highway-rail grade crossings in the State of Florida. The Florida Priority Index Formula provides a more accurate ranking of highway-rail grade crossings as compared to the alternative methods. The Florida Priority Index Formula assesses the potential hazard of a given highway-rail grade crossing based on the average daily traffic volume, average daily train volume, train speed, existing traffic control devices, accident history, and crossing upgrade records.

scholarly journals Enhanced Traffic Control Devices at Passive Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings

1998 ◽  
Vol 1648 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Noyce ◽  
Daniel B. Fambro
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Warning Sign ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Strobe Light ◽  
Sign System ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Traffic Control Devices ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Driver Error

More than 2,000 crashes and 239 fatalities were reported at public passive highway-railroad grade crossings in 1994. Driver error, often due to a breakdown in communication between traffic control devices and the driver, is commonly cited as a factor in passive grade crossing crashes. The objective of this study was to evaluate an improved method for communicating with drivers in an effort to improve safety at passive grade crossings. Specifically, this study evaluated the effectiveness of a vehicle-activated strobe light and supplemental sign as enhancements to the railroad advance (W10-1) warning sign at a passive highway-railroad grade crossing near Temple, Texas. Three study methods were used to evaluate this enhanced sign system including a before and after speed study, a driver survey, and a driver observation study. The results indicated that average speeds on the approaches to the grade crossing were lower after the installation of the enhanced sign system. Drivers responded favorably to the enhanced sign system, and no adverse driver reactions were observed at the onset of the flashing strobe light. The strobe light was effective in directing drivers’ attention to the railroad advance warning and supplemental signs. The enhanced sign system appears to increase driver awareness of the passive grade crossing, cause some drivers to approach the grade crossing with additional caution, and reduce the average speed near the nonrecovery zone on both approaches.

Microsimulation Analysis of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings: A Case Study in Lincoln, Nebraska

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence R. Rilett ◽  
Justice Appiah
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Microscopic Traffic Simulation ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Different Levels

This paper examines the usefulness of supplementing railroad preemption operations at highway-rail grade crossings with variable message signs. Using the microscopic traffic simulation model, VISSIM, the effects on grade crossing operations of different train dwell times as well as different levels of driver response to a variable message sign in the vicinity of the crossing are assessed. The results affirm the potential usefulness of variable message signs for preventing lengthy queues and illustrate the importance of explicitly considering the delay experienced by vehicles on the blocked roadway in developing a traffic control strategy for highway-rail grade crossings.

scholarly journals Active Warning System for Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Using Connected Vehicle Technologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xu Wang ◽  
Jiangchen Li ◽  
Can Zhang ◽  
Tony Z. Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Safety Concern ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Connected Vehicle ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Safety Countermeasures ◽  
Vehicle Technologies

Highway-rail grade crossing (HRGC) collisions are a significant safety concern around the world. HRGC collisions have a high risk of injuries and fatalities. To mitigate that risk, safety countermeasures for both active and passive HRGCs have been implemented. Leveraging the latest developments in connected vehicle (CV) technologies, CV-based warning systems perform well in safety applications for roadway networks. However, few have been developed to focus on safety improvements specifically for HRGCs. To bridge this gap, this paper proposes a novel active warning system that was created with readily available CV technologies and devices. A crossing risk assessment model was developed and evaluated in simulation and field applications. The proposed model predicts the crossing risk probabilities in the near future. When road users are in great risk of a collision, the warning system sends out auditory and visual alerts and displays the estimated waiting time. The test results reveal that the proposed warning system is promising for field implementation to improve safety at grade crossings.

Supplemental Pavement Markings for Improving Safety at Railroad–Highway Grade Crossings

2003 ◽  
Vol 1844 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burton W. Stephens ◽  
Gary Long
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Urban Location ◽  
Pavement Markings ◽  
Railroad Tracks ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Pavement Marking

An evaluation was performed of special X-box pavement marking configurations at railroad–highway grade crossings, originally used in several European countries. The intent is to provide motorists with supplemental visual cues about whether sufficient space is available for safe storage of a vehicle beyond the track for a motorist to proceed across. It is intended for application where nearby intersections can cause queues to back up to the track. These conspicuous markings, configured as an X in a box, were tested at two Florida locations, one in an urban area and one in a rural area, over a 1 ½-year period. The rates of cars hazardously stopping on or closely adjacent to the railroad tracks at the crossings were compared under pre- and postinstallation conditions. Results at the rural location showed a decline of more than 60% in hazardous stoppage rates over an extended period. No significant differences were found between the pre- and postinstallation tests at the urban location. A control site was utilized near the crossing in the urban location, and it showed no significant differences between the two test periods that were concurrent with the analysis at the treated site. Recommendations are provided for application of these markings at grade crossing sites in rural and urban locations.

scholarly journals Using ADAS to Future-Proof Roads—Comparison of Fog Line Detection from an In-Vehicle Camera and Mobile Retroreflectometer

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1737
Author(s):  
Ane Dalsnes Storsæter ◽  
Kelly Pitera ◽  
Edward McCormack
Keyword(s):  
Warning System ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Lane Departure Warning ◽  
Automated Driving ◽  
Pavement Markings ◽  
Lighting Conditions ◽  
Lane Marking ◽  
Lane Departure ◽  
Pavement Marking

Pavement markings are used to convey positioning information to both humans and automated driving systems. As automated driving is increasingly being adopted to support safety, it is important to understand how successfully sensor systems can interpret these markings. In this effort, an in-vehicle lane departure warning system was compared to data collected simultaneously from an externally mounted mobile retroreflectometer. The test, performed over 200 km of driving on three different routes in variable lighting conditions and road classes found that, depending on conditions, the retroreflectometer could predict whether the car’s lane departure systems would detect markings in 92% to 98% of cases. The test demonstrated that automated driving systems can be used to monitor the state of pavement markings and can provide input on how to design and maintain road infrastructure to support automated driving features. Since data about the condition of lane marking from multiple lane departure warning systems (crowd-sourced data) can provide input into the pavement marking management systems operated by many road owners, these findings also indicate that these automated driving sensors have an important role in enhancing the maintenance of pavement markings.

Effect of Changing a Traffic Control Device Color on Driver Behavior and Perception across Different Age Groups

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110111
Author(s):  
Hatem Abou-Senna ◽  
Mohamed El-Agroudy ◽  
Mustapha Mouloua ◽  
Essam Radwan
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Driving Conditions ◽  
And Performance

The use of express lanes (ELs) in freeway traffic management has seen increasing popularity throughout the United States, particularly in Florida. These lanes aim at making the most efficient transportation system management and operations tool to provide a more reliable trip. An important component of ELs is the channelizing devices used to delineate the separation between the ELs and the general-purpose lane. With the upcoming changes to the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, this study provided an opportunity to recommend changes affecting safety and efficiency on a nationwide level. It was important to understand the impacts on driver perception and performance in response to the color of the EL delineators. It was also valuable to understand the differences between demographics in responding to delineator colors under different driving conditions. The driving simulator was used to test the responses of several demographic groups to changes in marker color and driving conditions. Furthermore, participants were tested for several factors relevant to driving performance including visual and subjective responses to the changes in colors and driving conditions. Impacts on driver perception were observed via eye-tracking technology with changes to time of day, visibility, traffic density, roadway surface type, and, crucially, color of the delineating devices. The analyses concluded that white was the optimal and most significant color for notice of delineators across the majority of subjective and performance measures, followed by yellow, with black being the least desirable.

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