Author(s):
H.A. Richards, J.T. Lamkin
Publication Date
November 1970
Abstract
Texas has approximately 14,000 sites at which railroads intersect public roads and streets. Among these some 800 railhighway grade crossing accidents occur annually. The accidents result in approximately 100 deaths and 300 injuries to motorists on Texas public roads each year.|In order to reduce the number of accidents that occur at rail-highway intersections, new and improved warning devices at the current train crossbuck installations in Texas would require an initial investment in excess of $120 million. In addition, the estimated annual maintenance outlay would exceed $11 million. Grade separation is considered to be the only sure way to eliminate grade crossing accidents. Based upon the National average of $367,000 per crossing, it would require approximately $4.5 billion to separate all grade crossings in Texas. This sum represents three times the total book value of all railroad property in the state.|A procedure for establishing priorities for grade crossings safety improvement decisions is presented. It provides a framework for the construction of a ranking system or priority index for traffic intersections according to their relative attractiveness as investment alternatives. Given this framework and the rationale implicit within it, those charged with implementation of a safety program may make those changes which best suit their purposes.
Report Number:
111-2
Link(s):
Document/Product
http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/111-2.pdf
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