scholarly journals Model for Risk Calculation and Reliability Comparison of Level Crossings

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1230
Author(s):  
Pamela Ercegovac ◽  
Gordan Stojić ◽  
Miloš Kopić ◽  
Željko Stević ◽  
Feta Sinani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Entropy ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Operating Mode ◽  
Level Crossing ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
Risk Calculation ◽  
Real Risk ◽  
The World ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Basic Input

There is not a single country in the world that is so rich that it can remove all level crossings or provide their denivelation in order to absolutely avoid the possibility of accidents at the intersections of railways and road traffic. In the Republic of Serbia alone, the largest number of accidents occur at passive crossings, which make up three-quarters of the total number of crossings. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly find solutions to the problem of priorities when choosing level crossings where it is necessary to raise the level of security, primarily by analyzing the risk and reliability at all level crossings. This paper presents a model that enables this. The calculation of the maximal risk of a level crossing is achieved under the conditions of generating the maximum entropy in the virtual operating mode. The basis of the model is a heterogeneous queuing system. Maximum entropy is based on the mandatory application of an exponential distribution. The system is Markovian and is solved by a standard analytical concept. The basic input parameters for the calculation of the maximal risk are the geometric characteristics of the level crossing and the intensities and structure of the flows of road and railway vehicles. The real risk is based on statistical records of accidents and flow intensities. The exact reliability of the level crossing is calculated from the ratio of real and maximal risk, which enables their further comparison in order to raise the level of safety, and that is the basic idea of this paper.

scholarly journals Study of Drivers’ Behaviour at a Passive Railway Crossing

1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Kasalica ◽  
Radisav Vukadinović ◽  
Vojkan Lučanin
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Level Crossing ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
Road Vehicle ◽  
Railway Crossing ◽  
Limited Visibility ◽  
Risky Decisions

Problem: The number of killed and injured persons in incidents at railway level crossings is generally increasing on the Serbian Railways, particularly at passive crossings. In this paper we researched the direct behaviour of road traffic participants at a conventional railway passive crossing. Method: Direct observational study of drivers’ behaviour at a level crossing. Results: Sixty-one road vehicle drivers were observed in the moments of train approach. The probability of crossing varies depending on the train distance and the time the driver has to cross the crossing. The drivers who have limited visibility cannot estimate the speed of the approaching train well and make more risky decisions. Conclusion: This study shows that the number of “risky crossings” is worrying as the result of such crossings is a large number of accidents with fatal consequences at the passive crossings in Serbia.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Safety Performance of Level Crossings in Turkey with Data Envelopment Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1113-1120
Author(s):  
Kürşat Yıldız ◽  
Harun Kınacı
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Level Crossing ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The World ◽  
Accident Data

Level crossing, also known as railroad and highway crossings, pose a risk to those who use both modes of transport due to collisions that may occur. This risk associated with level crossings is of great importance both in Turkey and in the world. In this study, data envelopment analysis was performed on the accident data occurring on five types of level crossings in Turkey and a measurement of safety performances of level crossings in Turkey was provided. As a result of the analysis, the most efficient three-level crossings were found to be Hilal-Bandırma in Manisa, Samsun-Kalın in Amasya_1, and Samsun-Kalın in Amasya_2. In addition, a linear regression model that serves with the variables which are the components of level crossing and the number of accidents is established. In this model, it is seen that the ratio of independent variables to dependent variables was statistically significant.

scholarly journals Analysis of Placement Conditions on Roads and Characteristics of Railway Crossings in the Republic of Kazakhstan

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-233
Author(s):  
D. V. Kapskiy ◽  
E. N. Kot ◽  
S. V. Bogdanovich ◽  
A. G. Rybinskiy ◽  
K. Ibrayev
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Road Traffic Accidents ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
The Republic ◽  
New Research

Road traffic accidents of vehicles with a rolling stock of railways lead to the most serious consequences. Many level crossings are places of long delays of vehicles both before and after the traffic. In this case and in many others, the intersections of highways with railways sharply limit the capacity of the highway. Level crossings require the utmost attention of the traffic organization, since they must include not only devices for the movement of cars, but also pedestrian and sidings. Despite the fact that the problem of road traffic accidents at level crossings is not new, research and analysis of statistics in this area continues around the world. The paper considers the level crossings on the Republican highways of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Research has been carried out on ways to improve traffic safety at such crossings. The situation at the level crossings of the roads of Republican significance, as well as possible restrictions and regulatory requirements, have been studied in the paper. The paper presents results of a detailed collection of data at the facilities, which will serve as the basis for the development of a detailed program for improving the regulatory and technical base of the road sector in Kazakhstan to improve the safety of  road transport infrastructure, taking into account existing standards. Recommendations are given for the implementation and generalization of advanced international experience in organizing road traffic at railway crossings, which will contribute to the adaptation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of the development of transport and communications.

scholarly journals Increasing level crossing safety in urban areas - Case study City of Zagreb

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Starčević ◽  
Danijela Barić ◽  
Ivan Broz
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Traffic Volume ◽  
Level Crossing ◽  
Railway Network ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
The Road ◽  
Railway Traffic ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The City

Level crossings (LC’s) are one of the most dangerous points in railway traffic with frequent accidents that result in significant material damages and almost always fatalities. When level crossings are located within highly populated urban areas, they represent an even higher risk for accidents because of increased traffic volume for both the road and rail sectors. There are currently 34 level crossings in the City of Zagreb, some of which are on the roads with the highest traffic volume in the Republic of Croatia. Accident analyses on level crossings show poor traffic culture, especially pedestrians, which are intentionally disregarding traffic rules and showing poor judgment. This paper will show the existing condition and possible improvements of identified shortcomings of observed level crossings in the City of Zagreb and it will also present the existing level crossing regulations, classification, and safety on the railway network in the Republic of Croatia.

Low-Cost Railway Level Crossings: Breaking Down the Barriers

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Wullems ◽  
Anjum Naweed
Keyword(s):  
Safety Concern ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Level Crossing ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
The World ◽  
Active Protection

Level crossing risk continues to be a significant safety concern for the security of rail operations around the world. Over the last decade or so, a third of railway related fatalities occurred as a direct result of collisions between road and rail vehicles in Australia. Importantly, nearly half of these collisions occurred at railway level crossings with no active protection, such as flashing lights or boom barriers. Current practice is to upgrade level crossings that have no active protection. However, the total number of level crossings found across Australia exceed 23,500, and targeting the proportion of these that are considered high risk (e.g. public crossings with passive controls) would cost in excess of AU$3.25 billion based on equipment, installation and commissioning costs of warning devices that are currently type approved. Level crossing warning devices that are low-cost provide a potentially effective control for reducing risk; however, over the last decade, there have been significant barriers and legal issues in both Australia and the US that have foreshadowed their adoption. These devices are designed to have significantly lower lifecycle costs compared with traditional warning devices. They often make use of use of alternative technologies for train detection, wireless connectivity and solar energy supply. This paper describes the barriers that have been encountered for the adoption of these devices in Australia, including the challenges associated with: (1) determining requisite safety levels for such devices; (2) legal issues relating to duty of care obligations of railway operators; and (3) issues of Tort liability around the use of less than fail-safe equipment. This paper provides an overview of a comprehensive safety justification that was developed as part of a project funded by a collaborative rail research initiative established by the Australian government, and describes the conceptual framework and processes being used to justify its adoption. The paper provides a summary of key points from peer review and discusses prospective barriers that may need to be overcome for future adoption. A successful outcome from this process would result in the development of a guideline for decision-making, providing a precedence for adopting low-cost level crossing warning devices in other parts of the world. The framework described in this paper also provides relevance to the review and adoption of analogous technologies in rail and other safety critical industries.

scholarly journals Specifics of the traffic scene identification problem observed at level crossings, analysed from the train driver’s perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-97
Author(s):  
Jakub Młyńczak ◽  
Piotr Folęga ◽  
Ireneusz Celiński
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Level Crossing ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Level Crossings ◽  
Rail Vehicle ◽  
Tracking Devices ◽  
The Impact

Level crossing is an element of the transport infrastructure of a particular type. This is where streams of regulated and unregulated traffic interact. Vehicles of regulated, rail traffic affect on unregulated, road traffic vehicles. This process takes place over a relatively small area. But the associated processes are concerned with long distances and medium speeds. Importantly, the impact may be mutual (mainly on level crossing cat. D). Consequently, a number of diverse problems can be observed at level crossings as well as in their direct vicinity. One of them is very particular, since its intensity and scale are significantly higher compared to other points of the transport network. This is a problem of how the sight organs of a rail vehicle driver function. At level crossings, a rail vehicle driver is incapable of registering all events connected with moving objects in a horizontal plane of the field of view (often, dozens or hundreds of vehicles and pedestrians, rail vehicles, signs etc.). Especially in agglomeration areas, near the railway stations, people may violently trespass into the tracks. Before reaching a level crossing, the driver’s sight organs perform specific movements of variable dynamics, having a direct impact on the traffic safety. Given the context in question, the article discusses the methods used to measure the characteristics of the train driver’s sight organs by means of eye tracking devices. The measured characteristics are: saccadic movements, fixation point locations, blinking etc. The relevant studies were supported by using additional equipment and techniques, including visual and vibroacoustic ones. These studies have been illustrated with reference to the measurements performed in different sections of the railway network. The aim of the research was to analyse the behaviour of drivers of traction vehicles. The research results have been discussed in quantitative terms, thus introducing several new descriptive characteristics. The data thus obtained, e.g. concerning the functions of the driver’s sight organs, have been analysed using numerical data set characteristics. With regard to the context this article the authors also conduct research addresses measurements of the characteristics of the road vehicle driver’s sight organs performed by means of eye tracking devices.

“Utopia First!” A Machiavellian Conception of Solidarity in More's Utopia

Moreana ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (Number 209) (1) ◽  
pp. 79-93
Author(s):  
Marie-Claire Phélippeau
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Farm Work ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Democratic Elections ◽  
Communal Organization

This paper shows how solidarity is one of the founding principles in Thomas More's Utopia (1516). In the fictional republic of Utopia described in Book II, solidarity has a political and a moral function. The principle is at the center of the communal organization of Utopian society, exemplified in a number of practices such as the sharing of farm work, the management of surplus crops, or the democratic elections of the governor and the priests. Not only does solidarity benefit the individual Utopian, but it is a prerequisite to ensure the prosperity of the island of Utopia and its moral preeminence over its neighboring countries. However, a limit to this principle is drawn when the republic of Utopia faces specific social difficulties, and also deals with the rest of the world. In order for the principle of solidarity to function perfectly, it is necessary to apply it exclusively within the island or the republic would be at risk. War is not out of the question then, and compassion does not apply to all human beings. This conception of solidarity, summed up as “Utopia first!,” could be dubbed a Machiavellian strategy, devised to ensure the durability of the republic. We will show how some of the recommendations of Realpolitik made by Machiavelli in The Prince (1532) correspond to the Utopian policy enforced to protect their commonwealth.

The Process of Globalization and Its Impact on Media

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Veton Zejnullahi
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
World Order ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Media Access ◽  
Four Corners ◽  
The World ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Human Eyes ◽  
The Impact

The process of globalization, which many times is considered as new world order is affecting all spheres of modern society but also the media. In this paper specifically we will see the impact of globalization because we see changing the media access to global problems in general being listed on these processes. We will see that the greatest difficulties will have small media as such because the process is moving in the direction of creating mega media which thanks to new technology are reaching to deliver news and information at the time of their occurrence through choked the small media. So it is fair to conclude that the rapid economic development and especially the technology have made the world seem "too small" to the human eyes, because for real-time we will communicate with the world with the only one Internet connection, and also all the information are take for the development of events in the four corners of the world and direct from the places when the events happen. Even Albanian space has not left out of this process because the media in the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kosovo are adapted to the new conditions under the influence of the globalization process. This fact is proven powerful through creating new television packages, written the websites and newspapers in their possession.

Positive Aspects of COVID 19 Pandemic: A Blessing in Disguis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
Anjankar Ashish P ◽  
Anjankar Vaibhav P ◽  
Anjankar Anil J ◽  
Kanyal Lata
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Heart Attack ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Road Traffic Accidents ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
The World

COVID 19 is undeniably one of the deadliest diseases that humanity has ever seen. It continues to affect the lives and livelihood of people appallingly across the world. Maximum discussions focus towards the apprehension of catching the infection, dwelling in homes, overpopulated nursing homes and shut down of all kinds. But, here let’s discuss the positive side of COVID 19 pandemic.As COVID 19 has spread its influence all over the world, affected countries have either announced lockdown or have implemented severe restrictions in their respective countries. Because of this, everyone dwells in their homes. Thus, exercising social distancing and functioning from home. All of the above is directed at restricting the transmission of coronavirus and expectantly ostracising the fatality from COVID 19. These transformations have also brought about some unanticipated emanations; some good things have come out of the pandemic as well. Positive effects of COVID 19 are seen on reduced road traffic, and road traffic accidents lowered levels of air pollution which has to lead to lowered heart attack rates and rejuvenating environment. Crime rates have fallen, and expenses are reduced in most places. Community action, communication amongst families, behaviour, sanitation, hygiene, online and distance education has positively impacted by COVID 19 pandemic. COVID 19 despite a bane for humans, can be thought of a boon for living beings. The habitats and elements have been purified with the stringent use of petrochemical products. To breathe fresh air and to consume purified water is a boon by itself. Now, it is time for humans to lead a caring life to every bounty bestowed on them by Nature. This thoughtful and considerate life will give hope for a healthy, stress-free life.

The Meanings of Life and Value Priorities of the Post-Soviet Society in the Republic of Belarus

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 25-37
Author(s):  
Alexander N. Danilov
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Soviet Society ◽  
The World ◽  
Value Priorities ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Republic

The article discusses the meanings of life and value priorities of the post- Soviet society. The author argues that, at present, there are symptoms of a global ideological crisis in the world, that the West does not have its own vision of where and how to move on and has no understanding of the future. Unfortunately, most of the post-Soviet countries do not have such vision as well. In these conditions, there are mistrust, confusion, paradoxical manifestation of human consciousness. The main meanings that determine our life-world are: the desire of citizens for social justice and social security, the desire to figure out and understand the basic values of modern society, how honestly and equally the authorities act toward their fellow citizens, and to what extent they reflect their interests. The meanings of life, which are the answers to the challenges of the time, are embodied in the cultural code of each nation, state. The growth points of new values, which will become the basis for the future sustainable development of a new civilization, have yet to be discovered in the systemic transformative changes of the culture. In this process, the emergence of a new system of values that governs human life is inevitable. However, modern technology brings new troubles to humans. It has provided wide opportunities for informational violence and public consciousness manipulation. Nowadays, the scenario that is implemented in Western consumer societies claims to be the dominant scenario. Meanwhile, today there is no country in the world that is a role model, there is no ideal that others would like to borrow. Most post-Soviet states failed to advance their societies to more decent levels of economic development, to meet the challenges of the modern information age, and to provide the population with new high living standards. Therefore, in conditions of growing confrontation, we should realistically understand the world and be ready to implement changes that will ensure sustainable development of the state and society without losing our national identity.

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