TDC - Grade Crossing Research Program

Summary Page Description of all REPORTS


A Human Factors Analysis of Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Accidents in Canada Cognitive Ergonomics Research Laboratory, 2002	TP13938E
The purpose of this project was to identify human factors contributors to highway-railway grade crossing accidents and to recommend countermeasures based on common patterns of probable cause. The analysis of human factors contributors is expected to make a significant advancement to the knowledge of highway-railway grade crossing accidents in Canada.
Analysis of the Human Factors Contributing to Grade Crossing Accidents Cognitive Ergonomics Research Laboratory, 2002	TP 14003
The objectives of this project were to: develop a taxonomy of human factors accident contributors to highway-railway grade crossing incidents based on an extensive review of the research literature; use the taxonomy to generate quantitative and qualitative queries to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's (TSB's) Rail Occurrence Database System (RODS); analyse and interpret the pattern of human factors contributors as it relates to intelligent transportation system (ITS) countermeaures.

Development of a Standard for Light Emitting Diode (LED) Signal Lights Designed to Improve Warning Signals at Grade Crossings - Project Summary Transportation Development Centre, 2003	TP 14030
This study examined existing light emitting diode (LED) technology and produced a recommended standard for the use of LEDs to replace incandescent lights currently used as warning signals at highway-railway grade crossings. The proposed standard would result in safer, more effective signals that would be cheaper to install and maintain than those currently in use.
LED Technology for Improved Conspicuity of Signal Lights at Highway-Railway Grade Crossings Carmanah Technologies Inc., 2003	TP14043E
Highway-railway crossings present a significant hazard to drivers, resulting in approximately 300 accidents and 50 fatalities per year in Canada. Signal lights that are activated by the approach of a train are the most important component of crossing warning systems. Recent improvements in light-emitting diode (LED) technology have allowed the development of LED lights that are more conspicuous than the existing incandescent lights, while offering important operational advantages.

Photo Enforcement Measures for Grade Crossings: Developing a Legal Framework TCS Consulting, 2003	TP14178E
(Draft)

Grade Crossing Contraventions and Motor Carrier Safety Assessment L.-P. Tardif Associates Inc., 2001	TP13792E
The objectives of this project were to: provide a summary of existing statistical evidence on occurrences at grade crossings involving commercial vehicles; provide a description of the grade crossing infractions included under provincial highway traffic acts and regulations; provide a description of the infractions included under the motor carrier and driver profiles; provide a brief description on the situation in the United States; identify the level of awareness on the part of regulators and motor carriers regarding this issue; make recommendations to enhance safety and national uniformity of treatment.
Grade Crossing Contraventions and Motor Carrier Safety Assessment: Project Summary Transportation Development Centre, 2001	TP 13819
The objectives of this project were to: summarize statistical evidence on occurrences involving commercial vehicles at grade crossings; identify the grade crossing contraventions included under provincial highway traffic acts and regulations; determine the contraventions included under motor carrier and driver profiles; outline the U.S. approach to such contraventions; determine the awareness of this issue among regulators and motor carriers; recommend strategies to improve safety and to ensure national uniformity of treatment of contraventions.

Identifying Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Black Spots: Phase 1 University of Waterloo, 2003	TP14168E
This research provides a methodology for identifying high-risk grade crossings (or black spots) in Canada. Black spots are crossings where the expected number of collisions and/or consequences exceeds some pre-set thresholds.

Locomotive Horn Evaluation: Effectiveness at Operating Speeds - Project Summary Transportation Development Centre, 2004	TP 14163
This study examined the placement of horns on locomotives and makes recommendations to improve crossing safety while addressing noise complaints from crews and residents near the tracks.
Locomotive Horn Evaluation: Effectiveness at Operating Speeds TranSys Research Ltd., 2003	TP14103E
The objective of this study was to study horn placement on locomotives and emitted sound, and provide recommendations to ensure adequate warning for safety reasons, while also addressing excessive loudness complaints from crews and from residents near tracks.

Second Train Event Safety Sign - Concept Development Gauthier Dubois Girard, Architects, 2004	TP14232E
When two or more trains are moving at the same time in urban areas or near stations, pedestrians often experience problems with perception. Very often they are unable to detect the potential presence of a second train on another track. This sometimes results in behaviour indicating that they are unaware of the danger. This report presents the details of the design phase of the second train warning sign for pedestrians and the results of the survey conducted in the field.

Impact of Heavy Vehicles on Crossing Safety - Development of an Adapted Design Tool École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2003	TP14172E
Various heavy vehicles were tested (buses, straight trucks and tractor-trailer combinations) in order to determine their acceleration and braking performance. The goal of these tests was to identify typical braking and acceleration performances of various classes of commercial vehicles used in the calculation of sight triangles at railway crossings. Results were used to develop a railway crossing design and verification tool to be integrated in the new RTD 10 standard.
Impact of Heavy Vehicles on Crossing Safety - Development of an Adapted Design Tool - Project Summary Transportation Development Centre, 2004	TP 14234
This study examined characteristics of heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks, driver behaviour, regulations, warning systems, and grade crossing geometry to develop improved methods of calculating warning times and stopping distances, and to make recommendations for changes to existing standards and operating regulations.

Identification of Second-Train Warning Systems for Pedestrians Beauchemin-Beaton-Lapointe Inc., 1997	TP13018E
This report presents the findings of a search to identify technologies which are in use to alert pedestrians at rail/highway grade crossings when a second train is about to arrive. The search focussed on jurisdictions in the U.S., the European Union, and Japan.

Study of Adding Reflective Materials to Crossing Signs and Posts Beauchemin-Beaton-Lapointe Inc., 1997 (revised 1999)	TP13128E
More than half of all accidents in Canada occur at non-automated crossings. There is an urgent need for low-cost and cost-effective warning devices at these crossings. For this purpose, several jurisdictions in the United States have installed high-performance retroreflective material to the front and back of crossing posts and signs at non-automated crossings. The purpose of this study was to learn from the American experience and to generate input for the development of a standard for a uniform application across Canada.

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