Citation

Liu RR, Huang Z, Hao W. J. Transp. Saf. Secur. 2011; 3(4): 252-271.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Southeastern Transportation Center, and Beijing Jiaotong University, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19439962.2011.607937

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Highway-rail crossing safety is a critical issue, highlighted by the recently enacted Rail Safety Improvement Act (by the U.S. Congress. This article documents a national survey of peer state agencies as part of the effort to better understand the current issues of highway-rail grade crossing inspection and best practices in vegetation blockage clearance in the visibility triangle. The authors conducted an extensive literature review, in-depth dialogs with a few selected agencies, and focused on case studies to obtain realistic assessments of current practices in highway-rail grade crossing inspections. Potential issues and concerns in the implementation of the Rail Safety Improvement Act are highlighted.