Human Factors Countermeasures to Improve Highway-Railway Intersection Safety

Final report; March 1972-June 1973Downloaded from NTIS, best available copy.PDFTech ReportDOT HS-800 888PB 223 416DOT-HS-190-2-300CountermeasuresField testsRailroad grade crossingsRailroad safetyHuman factorsDriver performanceHuman factors in accidentsData collectionData analysisIntersectionsQuestionnairesUnited StatesUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationSanders, James H.Kolsrud, Gretchen S.Berger, Wallace G.Biotechnology, Inc.United States. Federal Railroad AdministrationUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationAGR-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Railroad Highway Grade CrossingsNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-RAIL TRANSPORTATIONNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Rail SafetyVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterA field demonstration study in support of the evaluation of alternative railway-highway grade crossing accident countermeasures was conducted. Guidelines were provided for the development of countermeasure concepts. Investigations of the causative factors of accidents showed that maintenance of protective warning devices, driver attention and driver expectancy were precipitating and predisposing factors in accidents. An appraisal of inherent driver safety potential was made which included driver education and licensing, safety programs and law enforcement, attitude and habit components of railway-highway safety and psychophysiological capabilities and limitations. A broad base of data was obtained in a demonstration field study conducted in five states