Title: FIELD STUDY OF RAIL-HIGHWAY GRADE-CROSSING CRASH SITES
Abstract: The results of a study undertaken to determine whether an acceptable level of safety has been achieved at the 845 public rail-highway grade crossings in New Mexico are presented. Field studies were conducted at 57 rail-highway grade crossings where one or more accidents had occurred during a 30-month period. With few exceptions, these crossings were found to have adequate design and operational features. Of the sites studied, 35 percent had active traffic-control devices installed after the accident. The project also examined the existing grade-crossing inventory data to determine their accuracy. The study found numerous errors in the inventory file: Principal deficiencies related to highway volumes and advance signs and markings. Evaluation of the data for a limited time period following improvements found an apparently significant reduction in crash experience, which was achieved at a cost of $35,000/accident. The researchers recommend correction of the few deficiencies found in the field study, upgrading of sites that do not meet relevant signing and marking standards, updating of the inventory, and more extensive use of the crossing identification number on accident report forms. (Author)
Publication Year: 1983
Publication Date: 1983-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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