A highway rail grade crossing (HRGC) is a location within the transportation network where a road intersects with train tracks at the same elevation [1]. In 2022, 2034 incidents occurred at HRGCs across the United States, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) [2]. Evaluating the hazard conditions at HRGCs is essential due to the potentially severe consequences, including fatalities, injuries, and property damage.
From a paper in Science Direct by Mohsen Naghdi, et al.
Limited visibility at HRGCs poses a significant safety hazard by obstructing the view of approaching trains. Various factors contribute to restricted visibility, such as seasonal and continuous vegetation, small crossing angles, nearby structures, adverse weather conditions like fog or snowfall, and mobile objects. When visibility is restricted, road users (referred to interchangeably as observers or drivers in this study) may struggle to accurately judge the distance and speed of approaching trains.
Although previous studies have addressed behavioral and safety issues, the literature currently lacks quantitative data analysis of sightlines at HRGCs. This study aims to address this gap by utilizing remote sensing techniques to identify and quantify sightline visibility.
We studied 12 HRGCs using geospatial analysis in ArcGIS Pro through Viewshed and Observer Points analysis, integrating United States Geological Survey (USGS) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data with United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) crossing reports.
Our findings indicate that sightline issues in the case studies reviewed are primarily linked to traffic control devices, environmental factors, and geometric conditions. Additionally, the results suggest that USGS LiDAR data and geospatial analysis offer potentially rapid and cost-effective methods for identifying sightline safety issues at HRGCs.
For the complete paper on highway rail grade crossing safety CLICK HERE.
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