DRIVER PERFORMANCE IN COUNTERMEASURE DEVELOPMENT AT RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS

This paper summarizes the findings of a field demonstration study to determine the requirements for grade-crossing-accident countermeasures. Information was obtained on driver behavior, knowledge, and attitudes by using the traffic-evaluator system, time-lapse photography, and questionnaires. A review of the safety-related factors brought to the grade-crossing situation by the driver also was made. The review included licensing and education, safety programs, attitudes and habits, and driver-vehicle capabilities and limitations. An extensive analysis of these data suggested countermeasure concepts and determined target populations for countermeasure intervention. Behavior measures were isolated that may be used to discriminate among candiadate countermeasures when they are applied in the field-evaluation program presented in the study.