Citation

Tidwell JE, Humphreys JB. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 811: 28-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Questionnaires were completed by 829 licensed drivers or candidates for licenses in an effort to ascertain their level of knowledge concerning highway-railroad grade-crossing information. Questions were asked concerning traffic-control devices, facts relating to grade-crossing hazards, and driver responsibilities at grade crossings. Respondents were stratified by age and elements of training and/or experience. Major findings of the study include the following: (a) Collection of Interview data at a driver's-license examining station is an effective method of determining driver knowledge, (b) more than 50 percent of all respondents believed that all grade crossings except those rarely used by trains have active warning signals, (c) most drivers have adequate knowledge concerning the hazards of grade crossings, (d) most drivers do not know the required driver response at passive grade crossings, (e) drivers perceive little law enforcement related to driver actions at grade crossings, and (f) driver knowledge and/or understanding of the traffic-control devices used to warn of grade crossings is inadequate. Recommendations are made regarding driver knowledge items that should be considered for inclusion in public information campaigns on grade-crossing safety. Future research regarding different advance warning signing for active and passive crossings and enforcement as a countermeasure is also recommended.