Citation

Bowman BL, Colson C. Transp. Res. Rec. 1994; 1456: 139-145.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The rail-highway crossing safety program in one of the most successful traffic safety initiatives in the United States. Since passage of the Highway Safety Act of 1973 it is estimated that 7,200 fatalities and 31,000 injuries have been prevented. Managing and conducting the rail-highway safety program within each state are more complex than managing and conducting typical traffic safety initiatives. This is primarily because of the diversity of expertise and agencies involved in conducting a successful program including the state, local roadway agency, FHWA, FRA, railroad companies, equipment suppliers, and private contractors. The complexity of effecting grade crossing improvements often results in a large amount of time between the identification of deficient crossings and the actual installation of the physical improvements. As state agencies gained experience with their programs many developed enhancements to increase program efficiency. These enhancements included different methods of identifying deficient crossings, corridor improvement programs, funding initiatives for off-system crossings, administrative enhancements, and improved cooperation and coordination with railroad agencies. The results of an effort conducted for the Alabama Highway Department to determine the structure, practices, and successful components of the rail-highway program of other states are summarized. This was accomplished by forwarding a survey to the rail-highway program coordinator of each state with the exception of Hawaii. A total of 41 responses were received. The results of that survey are summarized.

Language: en