Implementation of a rail crossing condition index: A) rideability assessment and B) hump crossing evaluation.

PDFTech Reporthttp://www.nurailcenter.org/research/final_reports/UKY/NURAIL2015-UKY-R10_combined_final_report.pdfNURAIL2015-UKY-R10 (A)DTRT13-G-UTC52Railroad grade crossingsRoughnessCondition surveysRide qualityImplementationUnited StatesKentuckyNational University Rail Center (NURail)Souleyrette, Reginald R.University of Kentucky. Dept. of Civil EngineeringNational University Rail Center (NURail)University Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)Wang, TengUS Transportation CollectionAnnually, over 2000 rail highway crossing crashes in the U.S. result in nearly 300 fatalities. Crossingroughness is a concern for the motoring public from a comfort and vehicle maintenance perspective,and to highway authorities from a maintenance perspective. Roughness may even increase the risk ofcrossing crashes. However, with 216,000 rail highway grade crossings in the US, maintenancemanagement is a large undertaking. Crossings deteriorate over time, sometimes rapidly, and life cyclecosts increase without preventive maintenance. However, while methods are available to quantifyhighway roughness, no method currently exists to quantitatively assess the condition of rail crossings.Because conventional inspection relies on qualitative judgment based on an inspector\ue2\u20ac\u2122s perception ofthe crossing, effect on different vehicles and perception by other drivers is unknown. Further,roughness may be due to as-built geometry, crossing deterioration, or a combination of both. Aquantifiable and extensible procedure is thus desired and is the subject of this report