The Federal Railroad Administration's LiDAR-Based Automated Grade Crossing Survey System: Research Results

2016PDFBriefRR 16-36Railroad grade crossingsLaser radarAutomationFatalitiesGrade crossing protection systemsGrade crossingHigh-profile grade crossingHumpedLiDARAutomationRailroad crossingUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Railroad AdministrationOmar, TarekUnited States. Federal Railroad AdministrationOlson, EdwinRanganathan, PradeepAlibrahim, SamCarr, GaryUS Transportation CollectionAs part of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA's) mission to improve public safety, FRA is focused on reducing train-on-vehicle collisions at grade crossings and resulting fatalities. A fullsize track inspection vehicle with an automated detection system can help achieve this goal by surveying grade crossings in terms of the grade crossing's profile, its track-road angle, and its sight lines, as well as the presence and proper operation of the crossing's gates. This research results paper presents highlights of the FRA's development program and provides an overview of initial deployment and use of the resulting technology.74