@article{ref1,
title="Reliability-based design of sight distance at railroad grade crossings",
journal="Transportation research part A: policy and practice",
year="1994",
author="Easa, Said M.",
volume="28",
number="1",
pages="1-15",
abstract="The existing method of sight distance design at railroad crossings is deterministic. This paper presents a probabilistic method that accounts for the variations of the component design variables and their correlations. Two cases are considered. Case 1 addresses the sight distance needs along the highway and the railroad for an approaching vehicle. Case 2 addresses the sight distance needs along the railroad for a stopped vehicle. The probabilistic method is based on the advanced first-order second moment of reliability analysis. Case 1 is modeled as a system with two parallel components. The probability of failure of each component and the system probability of failure are developed. Case 2 is modeled as a single-component system, and a design graph for sight distance needs along the railroad is presented. The method is validated using Monte Carlo simulation; its application is illustrated using numerical examples; and the sensitivity of the design variables is examined. The proposed method should result in safer operations at railroad grade crossings.<p />",
language="en",
issn="0965-8564",
doi="10.1016/0965-8564(94)90038-8",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0965-8564(94)90038-8"
}