Citation

Russell ER, Konz S. Transp. Res. Rec. 1980; 773: 7-11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The problem of night visibility of trains at railroad-highway grade crossings is discussed. Current practice, the literature, and some laboratory experimental data are summarized briefly. Of grade-crossing accidents, 37 percent occur at night; of this 37 percent, 47 percent are accidents in which a vehicle runs into the side of a train. A rough estimate of the benefits of illumination is a 30 percent reduction in night accidents at crossings. A mail survey that had replies from 43 states, 20 railroads, and 119 cities and counties showed that there are no illumination standards now in use for railroad-highway grade crossings and that U.S. practice reflects a great diversity of opinion. Comments are made on field studies conducted in Portland, Oregon; Lincoln, Nebraska; Houston, Texas; and Modesto, California. The majority of grade crossings in Europe and Japan have gates; Swiss and German recommendations for lighting at grade crossings are given. Some scale-model illumination experiments are also reported briefly.