DRIVER RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT RAILROAD CROSSING PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Abstract The speed of 367 drivers was observed on a rural road in the approach zone of a railroad crossing under three different protection systems: passive protection consisting of signs only, active protection with flashing red lights and active protection with flashing lights and half-gates. The two active systems were observed both when the lights were flashing and the gates were lowered as well as when the lights were off and the gates were raised. Significant differences in speed among the five conditions were observed as far as 200 m away from the tracks. Drivers slowed before crossing the tracks under all conditions: speed reduction being the largest when the lights were on and the gates lowered, and the smallest when the lights were off and the gates were raised. All drivers came to a full stop when the lights flashed, but over a third then went on to cross the tracks. Additional findings are discussed.