Grade Crossings & Trespassers -

Railway Worker & Operator Performance

Program Description:

Motorists perform safety critical tasks in driving their vehicles under a variety of personal (age, sleep deprivation, motivation, memory, etc.) environmental (noise, temperature, vibration, etc.), and social (status, role, etc. ) conditions that may affect their behavior at the grade crossing and safety. This subprogram examines these factors to identify those that have significant impacts on grade crossing behavior and safety and to suggest strategies to enhance safety and performance.

Similarly, trespassers engage in activities on rail property for a variety of reasons and under specific circumstances. Knowledge of trespasser characteristics, motivations and circumstances can contribute to the development of mitigation strategies and the prevention of trespassing.

Current Projects:

Causal Analysis of Grade Crossing Accidents

Countermeasures to Reduce Suicides on Railway Rights-of-Way

Evaluation of Motorist Behavior at Grade Crossings

Motorist Decision Making Model

Responding to Traumatic Exposure at Railroad Grade Crossing Accidents

Completed Projects:

Trespass on Railroad Rights-of-Way

Recognition of Rail Car Retroreflective Patterns for Improving Nightime Conspicuity

Alerting Lights on Locomotives

Rail Horn Systems