Level Crossings Research Articles

Intra-Zero-Energy Landau Level Crossings in Bilayer Graphene at High Electric Fields.

The highly tunable band structure of the zero-energy Landau level (zLL) of bilayer graphene makes it an ideal platform for engineering novel quantum states. However, the zero-energy Landau level at high electric fields has remained largely unexplored. Here we present magnetotransport measurements of bilayer graphene in high transverse electric fields. We observe previously undetected Landau level crossings at filling factors ν = -2, 1, and 3 at high electric fields. These crossings provide constraints for theoretical models of the zero-energy Landau level and show that the orbital, valley, and spin character of the quantum Hall states at high electric fields is very different from low electric fields. At high E, new transitions between states at ν = -2 with different orbital and spin polarization can be controlled by the gate bias, while the transitions between ν = 0 → 1 and ν = 2 → 3 show anomalous behavior.

Analysis of factors influencing crash injury severities at highway–rail grade crossings accommodating for unobserved heterogeneity

Introduction: This research aims to identify and understand the risk factors associated with injury severities in accidents occurring at highway–rail grade crossings in the context of the developing country, Thailand.Method: The mixed logit model was employed by analyzing crash data over 10 years, from 2012 to 2022.Results: The analysis revealed a number of significant factors associated with severe or fatal crashes. These included accidents that occurred between midnight and 6 a.m., collisions involving pickup cars or heavy trucks, roads with a “no overtaking zone” sign, intersections classified as Type B1 (defined by the presence of only warning posts and horizontal crossing barriers), and intersections without adequate traffic control devices. In contrast, hazard markers on pavements and traverse rumble strips were positively correlated with property damage only crashes, where no injuries were reported.Discussion: This study provides insights into contributory factors to accidents at highway–rail grade crossing. Based on these key findings, the study recommends increasing nighttime visibility at railway grade crossings, developing targeted education and training programs for pickup car and truck drivers, installing hazard markers and traverse rumble strips, and considering physical barriers, such as bollards or delineators, to discourage overtaking maneuvers near the railway crossing.

Investigating Highway–Rail Grade Crossing Inventory Data Quality’s Role in Crash Model Estimation and Crash Prediction

The highway–rail grade crossings (HRGCs) crash frequency models used in the US are based on the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) database for highway–rail crossing inventory. Inaccuracies or missing values within this database directly impact the estimated parameters of the crash models and subsequent crash predictions. Utilizing a set of 560 HRGCs in Nebraska, this research demonstrates variations in crash predictions estimated by the FRA’s 2020 Accident Prediction (AP) model under two scenarios: firstly, employing the unchanged, original FRA HRGCs inventory dataset as the input, and secondly, utilizing a field-validated inventory dataset for the same 560 HRGCs as input to the FRA’s 2020 Accident Prediction (AP) model. The findings indicated a significant statistical disparity in the predictions made with the two input datasets. Furthermore, two new Zero-inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) models were estimated by employing 5-year reported HRGCs crashes and the two inventory datasets for the 560 HRGCs. These models facilitated the comparison of model parameter estimates and estimated marginal values. The results indicated that errors and missing values in the original FRA HRGCs inventory dataset resulted in crash predictions that statistically differed from those made using the more accurate and complete (validated in the field) HRGCs inventory dataset. Furthermore, the crash prediction model estimated upon the corrected inventory data demonstrated enhanced prediction performance, as measured by the statistical fitness criteria. The findings emphasize the importance of collecting complete and accurate inventory data when developing HRGCs crash frequency models. This will enhance models’ precision, improve their predictive capabilities to aid in better resource allocation, and ultimately reduce HRGCs crashes.

Modelling dynamic pantograph loads with combined numerical analysis

Appropriate interaction between pantograph and catenary is imperative for smooth operation of electric trains. Changing heights of overhead lines to accommodate level crossings, overbridges, and tunnels pose significant challenges in maintaining consistent current collection performance as the pantograph aerodynamic profile, and thus aerodynamic load changes significantly with operational height. This research aims to analyse the global flow characteristics and aerodynamic forces acting on individual components of an HSX pantograph operating in different configurations and orientations, such that the results can be combined with multibody simulations to obtain accurate dynamic insight into contact forces. Specifically, computational fluid dynamics simulations are used to investigate the pantograph component loads in a representative setting, such as that of the recessed cavity on a Class 800 train. From an aerodynamic perspective, this study indicates that the total drag force acting on non-fixed components of the pantograph is larger for the knuckle-leading orientation rather than the knuckle-trailing, although the difference between the two is found to reduce with increasing pantograph extension. Combining the aerodynamic loads acting on individual components with multibody tools allows for realistic dynamic insight into the pantograph behaviour. The results obtained show how considering aerodynamic forces enhance the realism of the models, leading to behaviour of the pantograph–catenary contact forces closely matching that seen in experimental tests.

Media Presentation Design of Railroad Crossing Discipline for Teenagers 15-18 Years Old by Indonesian Edan Sepur Community in Bandung

A railroad crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road that can become an accident-prone point. The high number of accidents on a railroad crossing is due to the low level of society’s discipline in traffic. One of the communities who cares about this phenomenon is Edan Sepur Indonesia Community. There were 16.111 violations on 5 railroad crossings in Bandung for the last 6 months of the Crossing Discipline Event 2022. The purpose of this design is to make an interesting media presentation related to railroad crossing discipline that will be socialized to the teenagers aged 15-18 years old in Bandung. The method used on this design is a qualitative method by doing observation, interview and questionnaire. This media presentation design is aimed to provide knowledge and early education concerning the awarness of railroad crossing discipline to prevent accidents.

Wrong Side of the Track: Crimes in the Railroad Industry in the US, 2000–2017

The extant criminological literature on railroad crimes is scant, and historically focused on crimes against railroads (e.g., train robberies), or safety at railroad crossings, or train stations in relation to the distribution of crimes. To date, studies have not examined the extent of crime committed by railroads, nor how those violations are punishment. This study draws attention to the scope of railroad crimes and their punishment in the US using all reported/known railroad safety violations for the year 2000–2017 ( N = 14,380). During this time period, the railroad industry ranks third for the number of crimes committed by a US business sector. The study begins by examining the early history of railroad accidents and the influence of railroad tycoons and their personal characteristics as factors that have shaped the railroad industry in the US. Relevant railroad regulations are also examined.

Impact of train horn noise on sleep disturbance and mental health

Train horns are commonly used at Australian level crossings to raise people’s awareness of trains and improve road safety. However, the use of train horn could generate broader social effects than road safety. This study aims to investigate the relationships between train horn use and the sleep quality and mental health of people who live nearby an operational train environment. A questionnaire was developed to measure participants’ emotional states (i.e., depression, anxiety and anxiety), sleep quality and exposure to train horns. Participants were divided into three groups according to their residence’s distance to train horn use location, i.e., horn impact group, railway impact group and control group. The data collection is still ongoing, and 105 participants completed the questionnaire to the submission date. Results from primary data analysis showed that participants in horn impact group spent a longer time falling asleep and also reported lower sleep quality scores, as compared to the other two groups. No difference in the emotional states was found between groups. The study provided a lens to examine the negative impacts of train horn use in the Australasian environment and shed light on future train horn procedures and applications.

Pengaruh Antrean Dan Tundaan Kendaraan Terhadap Penggunaan Bahan Bakar Pengoperasian Palang Pintu Kereta

Transportation is the movement of people or goods using tools or vehicles from the place of origin to the destination. A level crossing is a meeting or intersection of a road with a railroad. Closing the doorstop causes the flow of traffic on the road to stop until the train passes which results in queues and vehicle delays which have an impact on fuel consumtion. This study aims to determine queues, vehicle delays and their effect on fuel use.This study uses a quantitative method with data obtained from the field, namely closing duration data, vehicle queue duration data, queue length data and vehicle volume data. data were obtained from the field for 7 days and the 3 busiest days were selected, namely Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, then analyzed using multiple linear regression.Based on the analysis, the average queue length of vehicles at level crossings on Jl. Hayam Wuruk on Monday is 71.368 m, Wednesday is 68.263 meters, and Saturday is 79.947 m. Data on average vehicle delays at level crossings on Jl. Hayam Wuruk on Monday was 281 seconds, Wednesday was 211 meters, and Saturday was 238.453 seconds. The ATIS – India method of the fuel use equation model is Y = - 0.717 + 0.005 X1 + 0.003 X2.

Higher-order topological superconductors characterized by Fermi level crossings

Higher-order topological superconductors characterized by Fermi level crossings

Quantum tunneling and level crossings in the squeeze-driven Kerr oscillator

Quantum tunneling and level crossings in the squeeze-driven Kerr oscillator

STUDY OF SOCIETY BEHAVIOUR TO EARLY WARNING IN THE RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSING WITHOUT BARRIER IN GAYUNG KEBONSARI, SURABAYA

Railway level crossing safety is one of the most critical issues for railways. Collisions between trains and motorized vehicles contribute most to LX accidents. Population growth and the development of economic in Indonesia affect the increase in vehicle volume, especially in the city of Surabaya. Furthermore, the increasing of vehicles volume, causing congestion at some points in Surabaya including Gayung Kebonsari railway level crossing. One of the congestion factors at the railway level crossings is the duration of closing time as the train passes through the crossing. The uncertain duration of gate closing time cause road users to be undisciplined by break through the crossing gates while the train pass through the crossings. Considering of those problems, respondents’ opinion is being evaluated to see the society behavior to early warning on reducing the number of traffic violation. A comprehensive discussion of the existing problems, lessons learned and the possible future implications that can be applied in Indonesia are presented.

Background offset mismatch and loop delay mismatch calibration for fixed-window level crossing ADC

As an important type of event-driven analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the fixed-window level crossing (LC) ADC is popular for the health internet-of-things (IoT). The size of the voltage window can be affected by the offset and offset mismatch of the two comparators in an LC-ADC, which intuitively decreases its accuracy. However, the analytical foundation and calibration techniques for these mismatches are absent. In this paper, the influence of offset, loop delay, their mismatches on the accuracy evaluation of the LC-ADC is first analyzed. Moreover, since the mismatch information is included in the LC-ADC quantization results, a background calibration technique for the offset mismatch and loop delay mismatch is proposed to correct the size of the voltage window during the signal recovery process for the linearity enhancement. Furthermore, three different interpolation methods for data recovery of the non-uniform sampling ADCs are theoretically analyzed and compared based on an 8-bit LC-ADC design in a standard 0.18-μm CMOS process. Post-simulation results show that with the nearest interpolation, the cubic polynomial interpolation, and the cubic spline interpolation, the proposed calibration technique can the improve effective number of bits (ENOB) of the LC-ADC from 6.92-bit, 8.17-bit, 9.99-bit to 7.76-bit, 9.30-bit, 13.03-bit, respectively.

Evaluation of Road Users’ Violations at Railroad Grade Crossings

Evaluation of Road Users’ Violations at Railroad Grade Crossings

Case study: Compounded problems at a passive railroad grade crossing

Passive railroad grade crossings fail to provide critical information to motorists about the presence of an approaching train, and pose a greater risk to motorists than do active grade crossings that can include the addition of flashing signal lights and gates. This case study describes the conditions that resulted in a train colliding with a truck on the tracks. In addition to the typical hazards at passive crossings, the subject collision resulted from additional hazards at the site that most likely prevented the truck driver from noticing the sight and sound of the approaching train. These factors are discussed, along with some current efforts to improve safety at railroad crossings.

Оптико-электронная система для оперативного контроля прямолинейности железнодорожных рельсов

The paper considers principles of operation of the optical electronic devices designed for operational high-precision control of the railway rails rolling surface straightness. It provides a description of the functional scheme proposed by the authors of the optical electronic devices of the triangulation type with structured illumination, where the rolling surface straightness is assessed based on analyzing the images of the rail cross sections registered by a linear camera. A technical solution is proposed that could significantly increase control and reliability of its results, as well as ensure image registration of the rail cross sections, where the distance between them is not exceeding 1 mm with the measurement car speed of 180 km/h. Mathematical expressions were obtained to study the optical electronic devices proposed scheme influence on the threshold sensitivity of control over the points' position along the rail rolling surface. To reduce the control results error, methods of the coordinates' subpixel refinement of the structured illuminated peaks registered coordinates were used. In the course of numerical experiments, the error root-mean-square deviation dependence in measuring the rail surface points' coordinates on the signal-to-noise ratio and the structured illumination peaks width values was studied. Requirements are formulated to components of the triangular type optical electronic devices, which could be introduced in design and development of the high-precision equipment for operational control of the railway track rolling stock straightness

PROGRAM PENANGGULANGAN KECELAKAAN LALULINTAS DI PERLINTASAN KERETA API SEBIDANG DI WILAYAH JAWA TENGAH

One of the transportation problems still faced in the country is the problem of traffic accidents that not only occur on roads and highway intersections, but also those that occur at level crossings between trains and motorized vehicles. Such as the train accident in Silebu Village, Kragilan District, Serang Regency, Banten Province on July 26, 2022 which killed 9 people. In the end, the issue of railroad crossings is not enough to be seen from one aspect of the problem alone but extends to other fields because it involves the various roles of actors, signals/codes, field space, and the morality of the users themselves. The number of railway crossings on the Central Java Regency / City road according to data from the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation in 2022 was recorded at 834 level crossings spread across 23 districts / cities, with details of 476 unguarded crossings and 268 guarded crossings. Starting from this condition, this research was conducted as a premise for Research on Safety Countermeasures Program at Railway Crossings in Central Java, especially both level crossings on provincial roads and on Regency / City roads.

Measures and Prescriptions to Reduce Stray Current in the Design of New Track Corridors

Stray currents can cause very rapid degradation and material loss at the points where the current leaves the metal and enters the electrolyte. Nowadays, many resources are invested in the protection of jeopardized structures, such as buried pipelines, from stray current corrosion. This paper describes the measures that need to be considered in the design and construction of track structures to ensure high rail-to-ground resistance and consequently reduce stray currents. The main conclusions from existing guidelines and standards for reducing and controlling stray currents that are applied by various track operators are presented in the paper. Rail-to-ground resistance in different types of tracks structures and rail fastening systems is analyzed, and the optimal type of the track and type of the fastening system is defined. The grounding schemes used on the tracks and their influence on stray current values are described, as well as the influence of traction power stations (TPS) and rail cross bonding on stray current. Since it is not necessary to apply all the measures described to the same track structure, the paper gives recommendations on which measures to apply when building tracks with continuously fastened rails and which to apply when building tracks with discretely supported and fastened rails.

Evaluation of Rail Freight Line Reactivations in Small and Mid-Size Communities Using Data from Federal Railroad Administration’s Grade Crossing Inventory

This study explores the characteristics and performance of projects that have rehabilitated dormant rail to allow for the restoration of freight service to communities with populations of 500 or more. Drawing on data from Federal Railroad Administration’s Grade Crossing Inventory, it assesses the locational and operational characteristics of twenty-seven lines identified by the study team as having been reactivated between 2004 and 2022 after three or more years of inactivity. The results show that sixty-one communities regained service, and more than half are on lines that have attracted enough traffic for public funding to sustain daily train operations. In most instances, the number of train movements per day is two or more, although a few have seen a decline in the number of movements, and timetable speeds are commonly limited to 10 or 20 mph. The large number of instances in which operations are restricted to the bottom end of this speed range and the thirteen accidents that occurred at grade crossings in the communities over the final 6 years of the study period suggest that more investment is needed before higher-density operations become feasible. Moreover, a variety of factors may result in the hazard indices used by state governments to prioritize grade crossing investment understating the risks of train activity on reactivated lines. Nearly three-fourths of grade crossings have only passive warning equipment.

An observational study on pedestrian and bicyclist violations at railroad grade crossings: Exploring the impact of geometrical and operational attributes

Introduction: In order to enhance the existing body of research regarding the prevalence of violations committed by pedestrians and bicyclists, this observational study utilized personal-specific, train-specific, operational, and behavioral data extracted from recorded videos at seven railroad grade crossings (RRGCs). Method: A total of 7,332 pedestrians and 1,684 bicyclist crossing events were observed during 279 gate operation phases at seven study locations. First, two separate violation models (binary logit) for pedestrians and bicyclists were developed to determine the influence of personal-specific characteristics and other behavioral traits on probability of pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ violation. Later, the impact of various geometrical (railway track, distance between gates, distance between gate and nearest track, and road width) and operational (train vehicle unit) parameters on the factors that caused non-motorist violations was examined by developing distinctbinary logit models. Results: The probability of pedestrians’and bicyclists’ violationwas found to be significantly influenced by train characteristics (train speed and train occupancy time), gate operational attributes (warning time and gate blockage duration), and personal-specificcharacteristics (gender, age, crossing speed, and looking both side). Furthermore, geometrical attributes along with train vehicle unit were observed to have impact over various factors that significantly influenced the behavior of pedestrians and bicyclists to violate. Practical Applications: The findings of this research provide essential information that could be applied in the initiatives of user awareness and enforcement program, emphasis on situational awareness and design of operational and geometricalelementsto significantlylimitthe effects of risky walking andbicycling behavior at RRGCs.

THE INFLUENCE OF LEVEL CROSSINGS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS IN CIREBON CITY

Cirebon City is one of the metropolitan areas stipulated in PP No. 26 of 2008 namely RTRWN as a National Activity Center (PKN) in developing metropolitan areas, especially in Ciayumajakuning area. The Cirebon City has become the center of economic growth, resulting in an increase in the flow of urbanization and in line with social dynamics that must be considered due to urban city activities. One of the impacts of urban cities is the increase in traffic density, causing a decrease in traffic performance. The purpose of this study is to determine the existing conditions of railroad level crossings in Cirebon City and see their impact on traffic performance, social dynamics and economic growth in Cirebon City. The research method used is a survey method, including traffic volume surveys, train frequency surveys, and calculating queue lengths and calculating delays. Based on the result of a survey on 8 roads in the Cirebon City with an average capacity of 3191 smp/hour, the degree of saturation is 0.5, the Level of Service value is C, which means the flow is stable, the speed can be controlled by traffic. However, if it is review based on an economic analysis related to the loss of community income due to level crossings if it is assumed that the average income of the people of Cirebon City is IDR 2.304.943.51 each individual experiences losses ranging from IDR 0 – IDR 768.314 for one month depending on the how long the individual experiences waiting time at a level crossing. If analyzed based on fuel consumption, each individual experiences a loss of IDR 0 – IDR 30.294 per month depending on the waiting time and the type of fuel used and if it is associated with the economic growth of Cirebon City, it is expected to increase the contribution of GRDP for each sector and respondents feel that level crossing are very important affect their travel interest.