Acoustical Warning Devices as Emergency Warning Systems, Phase 1

2019Final ReportOmar, TarekPDFTech ReportDOT/FRA/ORD-19/40DTFR53-12-D-00003Task Order 005Emergency communication systemsHornsAudible warning devices in vehiclesWarning devicesWarning devicesReaction timeTrespassersRailroad safetyEmergency Notification Systemsemergency warningtrain horntrespassersmusic masking soundsreaction timeacoustic warning deviceUnited StatesUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad AdministrationCampbell, ThomasParida, BasantRoss, Jason C.Zaouk, Abdullatif K.Foster-Miller, Inc.Harris, Miller, Miller & Hanson Inc.United States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research, Development, and TechnologyFederal Railroad AdministrationThis program demonstrated the effectiveness of Acoustical Warning Devices (AWD) as secondary Emergency Warning Signals (EWS). The focus is to warn trespassers of an approaching train, through the development of an emergency warning signals that produce a sense of urgency, are noticeable to trespassers wearing headphones, and uniquely identifiable as train warning signals. Several EWS sounds were developed and evaluated in surveys to assess the participant\u2019s view of the sense of urgency and detectability. Sounds characteristics were identified that enhance detectability.83