2013 Session: 338

• Gate Violations by Truck Drivers at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
  Abstract: The objective of this research was to empirically investigate truck drivers’ gate violations at dual-quadrant gated highway-rail grade crossings (HRGCs). The issue of collisions between trucks and trains is important because of the relatively high severity of such crashes and safety and environmental concerns arising from possible spillage of hazardous materials.The adopted methodology consisted of collecting data on gate violations by truck drivers during train crossing events at two HRGCs and statistically analyzing the dataset. About 22% of the collected observations involved gate violations by truck drivers. Analysis results showed that the frequencies of gate violations increased with higher truck traffic arriving during crossing events. Drivers of single-unit trucks displayed a greater propensity for gate violations compared to drivers of trucks with trailers. Violations were more frequent with longer times between the onset of flashing lights and train arrivals at the crossings. Results also showed that nighttime was associated with higher frequency of gate violations by truck drivers. Implications of the findings, practical options for reducing truck drivers’ gate violations at HRGCs, and recommendations for future research are provided.
  Authors: Khattak, Aemal
  Authors: Khattak, Aemal
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Operations and Traffic Management
  Session: 338
  Paper Number: 13-0742
• Impact of Education on Nonmotorist Gate Violations at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
  Abstract: The objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of education in reducing non-motorists’ gate violations at a dual-quadrant gated highway-rail grade crossing (HRGC). The methodology consisted of observing gate violations by non-motorists at the chosen crossing for seven days before and seven days after a two-day educational activity. This educational activity involved on-site showing of Operation Lifesaver’s safety videos and distribution of educational materials amongst non-motorists. Two types of gate violations were monitored in this research: passing under descending gates (V1) and passing around fully lowered gates (V2). An important aspect of the study was keeping stock of opportunities for gate violations available to non-motorists besides counts of committed violations. A before-after comparison showed statistically significant reduction in V1 violations after the educational activity. However, a closer inspection revealed this reduction was due to fewer V1 opportunities available in the post education period rather than due to the undertaken educational activity. A detailed analysis of V2 violations showed a statistically significant reduction in the post education period after accounting for V2 violation opportunities and other factors. This reduction was attributed to the undertaken educational activity. The findings underscore the need to account for violation opportunities in before-after comparisons of HRGC gate violations to avoid incorrectly assigning credit for safety changes to measures undertaken in hopes of improving safety.
  Authors: Luo, Zheng; Khattak, Aemal
  Authors: Luo, Zheng; Khattak, Aemal
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Operations and Traffic Management
  Session: 338
  Paper Number: 13-1681
• Estimation of At-Grade Railroad Crossing Gate Down Times, Motorist Delay, and Crossing Violations in Northwest Indiana
  Abstract: A study to quantify at grade railroad crossing closure times at selected sites in Northwest Indiana was conducted for the Rail Vision Working Group of the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission. Using a framework established by the Illinois Commerce Commission, the study was able to provide gate down time and vehicle delay data for sites of interest to the Working Group. A violation prediction model was also created to predict the number of vehicles that would drive around closed (level) gates. Collectively, the sites studied were found to contribute over 24 hours of vehicle delay to the Northwest Indiana region, that effected in excess of 16,000 minutes of delay to motorists incurred each day, and the variable with the strongest statistical significance for providing violations was shown to be the amount of advanced warning time provided to motorists.
  Authors: Rescot, Robert Andrew
  Authors: Rescot, Robert Andrew
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Operations and Traffic Management
  Session: 338
  Paper Number: 13-5131
• Low Cost Upgrades to At-Grade Crossing Safety Devices
  Abstract: The only way to absolutely prevent all drivers from going around lowered gates at level rail-highway crossings is to make it physically impossible, or at least very difficult, for them to do so. While there are various options to accomplish this (constructing a separation of grade, closing the crossing, or deploying an impenetrable concrete barrier), most have high monetary or social costs. Alternative approaches—such as channelization devices and long-arm gates—while not 100 percent effective, can be used to prevent deaths and injuries while remaining economically feasible. Research has shown that the addition of channelization devices can dramatically reduce the number of violations at level rail-highway crossings. While long-arm gates appear to be effective, additional study is needed to determine their suitability for individual locations. Unfortunately, even when overall rail crash totals for the country or for a given state are high, crashes at specific crossings are relatively rare events, making it extremely difficult to show that the addition of a safety treatment at a particular site prevented a crash. However, based on the efficacy of channelization devices—75 percent—in addition to the experiences of various transportation agencies, these devices appear to be a viable, low cost safety upgrade for at-grade crossings.
  Authors: Cooper, Douglas L.; Ragland, David R.; Felschundneff, Grace
  Authors: Cooper, Douglas L.; Ragland, David R.; Felschundneff, Grace
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Operations and Traffic Management
  Session: 338
  Paper Number: 13-4164
  Practice-Ready: Yes