Effects of Three Advanced Devices on Preventing Crashes and Gate-Breaking Incidents at Highway–Rail Grade Crossings

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of three advanced (i.e., engineering-based) devices—the obstacle detector, the LED train approaching indicator, and the law enforcement camera—on the prevention and reduction of specific types of traffic incidents at highway–rail grade crossings (HRGXs). The before-and-after effects of these three warning–control devices on the reduction of traffic collision and gate-breaking rates were evaluated. The interaction effects of these advanced devices in improving the safety of HRGXs were analyzed to identify the pure effect of each device and of different combinations of the devices. The empirical study used a 15-year data set on crashes and crossing inventory data that included the installation history of the three advanced devices. The numerical analysis results indicated that both the LED train approaching indicator and the law enforcement camera had different degrees of positive influence on improving the safety of an HRGX. The obstacle detector was found to be less effective in preventing traffic collisions, especially with regard to cost-effectiveness. Policy implications are discussed and future research directions are recommended.