Enhanced Traffic Control Devices and Railroad Operations for Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: Third-Year Activities (1469-3)

This research evaluated the effectiveness of a vehicle-activated strobe light and supplemental sign as enhancements to the W 10-1 sign (enhanced sign system) at passive highway-railroad grade crossings. Three study methods were developed for evaluating the effectiveness of the enhanced sign system including a before and after speed study, a driver survey, and a driver observation study. The study results can be summarized as follows:· The enhanced sign system appears to increase driver awareness of the passive highway-railroad grade crossing;¿· The enhanced sign system caused some drivers to approach the passive highway-railroad grade crossing with additional caution;¿· Reductions in average speed on both the east and west approach to the passive highway-railroad grade crossing were observed after the installation of the enhanced sign system;¿· The strobe light was effective in directing drivers' attention to the railroad advance warning (W 10-1) and supplemental signs; and¿· The enhanced sign system did not cause any adverse driver reaction.The results of this research indicate that the enhanced sign system can be an effective traffic control device. It offers promise of increased safety at passive highway-railroad grade crossings and appears worthy of additional investigation and implementation.