Level Crossings Research Articles

Traffic Safety Assessment and Injury Severity Analysis for Undivided Two-Way Highway–Rail Grade Crossings

The safety and reliability of undivided two-way highway–rail grade crossings (HRGCs) are of paramount importance in transportation systems. Utilizing crash data from the Federal Railroad Administration between 2020 and 2021, this study aims to predict crash injury severity outcomes and investigate various factors influencing injury severities. The χ2 test was first used to select variables that were significantly associated with injury outcomes. By employing the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model and interpretable SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), a cross-category safety assessment that offers an evidence-based hierarchy and statistical inference of risk factors associated with crashes, crossings, vehicles, drivers, and environment was provided for killed, injured, and uninjured outcomes. Some significant predictors overlapped between the killed and injured models, such as old driver, driver was in vehicle, main track, went around the gate, adverse crossing surface, and truck, while the other different significant factors revealed that the model could distinguish between different severity levels. Additionally, the results suggested that the model has varying performances in predicting different injury severities, with the killed model having the highest accuracy of 93.36%. The SHAP dependency plots for the top three features also ensure reliable predictions and inform potential interventions aimed at strengthening traffic safety and risk management practices, such as enhanced warning systems and targeted educational campaigns for older drivers.

Enhancing Traffic Flow and Safety at LMU Nurtanio Road Crossings - Abdul Rahman Saleh Intersection in Bandung

Bandung is the largest metropolitan city in West Java Province and serves as its provincial capital. One of the locations where vehicle queues or traffic congestion occurs is at the level crossings between the highway and railway tracks, including the direct crossing (JPL) at Andir on LMU Nurtanio Street - Abdul Rahman Saleh Street. The purpose of this research is to assess the performance of the existing road section, simulate it using the PTV VISSIM program, and find alternative solutions to the identified problems. In this study, primary data was obtained through direct field measurements, including vehicle volume, queue length, and road geometry data. Additionally, secondary data on the number of trains passing through the crossing was obtained from PT Kereta Indonesian Fire. The PTV VISSIM program used in this analysis is a student-licensed program, which implies limitations and simplifications in the analysis. The performance calculation of the road section yielded a degree of saturation (Ds) value of 0.73 for LMU Nurtanio Street and 0.77 for Abdul Rahman Saleh Street. According to the road service levels set by the government, both roads fall below service level C. The PTV VISSIM modeling results indicated a queue length of 66.59 m for LMU Nurtanio Street and 105.18 m for Abdul Rahman Saleh Street. Bandung study uses PTV VISSIM to assess LMU Nurtanio - Abdul Rahman Saleh Streets, revealing congestion issues. Queue lengths highlight improvement needs.

2D multiple waves scattering for active detection of a dummy human body in a low frequency range and for various boundary conditions

This paper investigates the results of simulations devoted to the acoustic field variation caused by different boundary conditions applied to the backscattering of the acoustic wave in both low and moderately low frequency ranges. The goal is to analyse the object behaviour and the detection ability of the 2D acoustic field approximations when the simulation data of the scattered sound field is available. The plane waves are backscattered by a dummy human body, positioned in a cabin which has a defined size. The dummy human body is created by using clusters of finite and disjointed but tangent circular cylinders. Each cylinder is a scatterer that emulates various boundary conditions i.e., the scatterers can be sound-soft (Dirichlet boundary condition) and sound-hard scatterers (Neumann boundary condition). The cylinders are filled with biological tissue (i.e., fat). The exterior scattering problem is solved using the preconditioned Krylov subspace iterative solvers (GMRES), as a computationally cheaper alternative. We use the hypothesis that the mass density of the obstacle and wave speed in the obstacle are both constant. During the simulation experiments, we neglected the interactions among scatterers. A frequency range from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz is analysed. Both the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) and Radar Cross Section (RCS) are used to analyse the numerical simulation of the sound field.

Design, Analysis, and Optimization of Off-Highway Rear Dump Truck Chassis Frame Rail Profile Using Design Exploration and Finite Element Analysis Technique

<div>During mining material hauling, the chassis frame structure of rear dump trucks is subjected to fatigue loading due to uneven road conditions. This loading often leads to crack propagation in the frame rails, necessitating the determination of stresses in the critical zone during the design stage to ensure structural integrity. In this study, a computer-aided engineering (CAE) methodology is employed to size and select the rectangular profile cross section of the chassis frame rail. A detailed design investigation of the chassis frame is conducted to assess its load resistance, structural flexibility, and weld joint fatigue life under critical stresses arising from combined bending and torsion loads. The optimization process aims to determine the optimal rail size and material thickness, striking a balance between minimizing mass and maximizing structural reliability. By achieving this, the risk of major structural failures during the transportation of large payloads can be significantly reduced. To address the demand for extended structural life and reduced chassis frame weight, the frame rail cross section is optimized using a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) implemented within the ANSYS software package. This optimization process is facilitated by utilizing design exploration studies and finite element analysis (FEA) techniques to understand how stress affects the chassis frame of a vehicle when it is subjected to combined bending and torsion load case. To do this, the research study used a combination of analytical calculations, mathematical modeling, and design exploration studies.</div> <div>The research findings highlight the effectiveness of combining empirical approaches with modern CAE tools, enabling engineers to design and analyze complex structures with optimized sizes and weights suitable for off-highway mining applications.</div> <div>Through the utilization of this integrated approach, significant advancements can be made in enhancing the structural performance and efficiency of chassis frame structures in the demanding off-highway mining industry.</div>

An optimisation model to locate level crossings in railway lines at mines to minimise the total weighted-walked distance

The location of level crossings for pedestrian circulation is a safety issue due to potential human losses and material damage. This problem has become a concern in urban and industrial environments due to the characteristics of rail systems and unsafe pedestrian behaviour. Research reveals that psychological and infrastructural factors influence pedestrians' decision-making when crossing railroad lines. One of these is the convenience that leads pedestrians to cross at the nearest point. However, investigations to date only study the impact of location on the risk and severity of crashes and pedestrian rule violations. The current research is quasi-experimental, i.e., no optimisation tool has been developed to determine which crossing points pedestrians should follow. Therefore, this research develops a mathematical model for locating level crossings at railways to minimise the total weighted-walked distance. A genetic algorithm was proposed for solving the model, especially for large-size problems. The algorithm parameters were calibrated using the design of experiments and ten instances based on the characteristics of the area under study. The obtained results provide (1) the location of the level crossings and (2) the route pedestrians should follow for each origin-destination pair based on the facilities adjacent to the rail lines. A sensitivity analysis was performed using the ten instances to determine how the location of the level crossings changes with modifications in the facilities' location. Results showed that the model provides alternative solutions according to the problem's size. This study delivers a methodology for practitioners and stakeholders of transportation systems.

Prevalence of and intent behind motorcyclists' violations at railway crossings in Indonesia: Modeling behavior and learning lessons from a developing country

ObjectiveIndonesia experiences a high number of motorcycle accidents at railway crossings (RLXs). The purpose of this study is to observe motorcyclists' behavior and intent to cross the railway in a dangerous or illegal way and the factors influencing these decisions. MethodTwo hundred and fifty-nine people (mean age = 24.2 years, SD = 7.2 years, 146 males, 113 females) voluntarily participated in this study by filling in an online questionnaire. This questionnaire gathered demographic data and used constructs adapted from the extended Theory of Planned Behavior, asking respondents about their behavior at RLXs when the barrier is open, when it is half closed and when it is fully closed. A five-point Likert scale was used to measure the response of the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis for demographic data, inferential statistics, and structural equation modeling (SEM) for the construct items of the model. Field observation was also conducted to measure the violation rate at RLXs at both busy and non-busy times, which were then compared. ResultThe results show that factors influencing RLX violation based on the extended Theory of Planned Behavior model are attitude, past behavior, and traffic environments. Demographic factors, occupation, RLX characteristics, and crossing frequency were related to self-reported violations and intentions to violate. Based on our observations and questionnaire, it was found that when accident risk was higher, the observed violation rate decreased significantly, as did intention to violate and previous risky crossing behavior. Conclusionviolations at railway crossings are influenced by individual and environmental factors as well as perceived risk.

Inventarisasi Kepadatan Perlintasan Sebidang Kereta Api Berdasarkan Warna Peta Jalan pada Aplikasi Google Maps di Kota Madiun”

Through this research, it is expected to know the characteristics of the level of traffic density around railway crossings and contribute to improving the safety and efficiency of railway crossings in Indonesia.How is the inventory of vehicle traffic density at railway crossings in Madiun City? Based on the color condition of the highway map in the Google Maps application. The method carried out is to collect historical data on traffic conditions on the google map application at a specified JPL point with a certain period of time, namely during the morning, afternoon and evening rush hours, traffic density condition data is shown with certain color indications. As comparison data, samples of live-traffic data are taken on Google Maps which will be analyzed and identified the level of density of railway crossings. Data analysis was carried out to identify railway crossing points that are prone to congestion in the city of Madiun. Through analysis of railway crossing density data, crossing points that have high, medium and low density levels will be identified. Color condition data shows that the plot crossing on JPL 138 has a frequency percentage of 50.37% and 47.71% of the distance is green, with the level of vehicle traffic density is not dense to rather dense. JPL 138 crossing on the side of Jalan Yos Sudarso – Pahlawan has a higher level of traffic density.

Identifikasi Risiko Kecelakaan Perlintasan Sebidang di Kota Madiun

Railroad level crossings are potential points that are prone to serious accident risks. As transportation infrastructure grows, the importance of safety at level crossings increases. The accident prediction equation developed by the United State Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is one of the most frequently used formulas due to its accuracy in predicting the number of accidents at level crossings. In this study, the calculation of hazard index and hazard index and probability of accidents for the next few years using the U.S. DOT formula approach at level crossings located in Madiun City, namely JPL 1, JPL 136 and JPL 138. Based on the results of the Hazard Index calculation, JPL 136 has the highest hazard index value of 194.859 followed by JPL 138 and JPL 1. The results of accident predictions for the next three years at both JPL 1, JPL 136 and JPL 138 are likely to occur 2 accidents at the crossing.

Level crossings reveal organized coherent structures in a turbulent time series

Level crossings reveal organized coherent structures in a turbulent time series

KERUGIAN BBM AKIBAT TUNDAAN DAN PANJANG ANTRIAN DI PERSIMPANGAN JALAN RAYA DENGAN REL KERETA API SEBIDANG (Studi Kasus Jalan Hasanudin Semarang)

Due to the high mobility of those passing by and the presence of trains that cross the intersection between the highway and the railroad, also known as level crossings, Jalan Hasanudin experiences heavy traffic during rush hour. Additionally, because of the large volume of train traffic at the Poncol station and the proximity of this intersection to the station, there is frequently a buildup of vehicles at the level crossing on Jalan Hasanudin. As a result, researchers will determine how Jalan Hasanudin Semarang performed. After conducting research, it was discovered that the highest vehicle queue length occurred on Monday, February 27 2023 from Jalan Hasanudin - Imam Bonjol at closing time 16.45 with a queue length of 123 meters and the highest stop delay occurred on Saturday, March 4 2023 from the direction of Jalan Hasanudin - Imam Bonjol with an average stop delay duration of 372.00 seconds. Therefore, the occurrence of long lines led to fuel losses for the drivers; their total gasoline loss over the course of the three research days was IDR 886,550.7. The researchers offer recommendations based on the findings of the research analysis to control street vendors and people near railroad tracks and railroad crossings that result in side barriers and long lines during stop delays, install traffic signs like those that prohibit stopping, prohibit parking, and prohibit raising and lowering passengers on roads, and so that there is no congestion along Jalan Hasanudin and around railroad crossings.

Light QCD axion dark matter from double level crossings

The even light QCD axion called the ZN axion can both solve the strong CP problem and account for the dark matter (DM). We point out that the single and double level crossings can naturally take place in the mass mixing between the ZN axion and axionlike particle (ALP). The first level crossing occurs much earlier than the QCD phase transition, while the second level crossing occurs exactly during the QCD phase transition if it exists. We also find that the single level crossing can transform into the double level crossings, depending on the ALP mass mA versus the zero-temperature ZN axion mass ma,0. Compared with the no level crossing case, the ZN axion relic density can be suppressed in the single level crossing, and enhanced or suppressed in the double level crossings.

Оценка прочности каркаса кабины машиниста грузового локомотива при аварийных столкновениях

The article is based on an analysis of consequences after emergency collisions of freight locomotives at railway crossings. It assesses the strength of the driver’s cabin frame the design of which uses standard rolled and bent-welded profiles made of low-alloy steel. During the research calculations were performed using the finite element (FE) method in two software systems - foreign system ANSYS WORKBENCH 2023R1 and domestic system LIRA 10.12. Two FE models were developed using beam and shell finite elements which made it possible to evaluate the strength of the stress-strain state of the driver cabin frame. Based on the calculation results conclusions were drawn about the applicability of each of the models and possible directions for further research in the field of modeling emergency collisions of freight locomotives were proposed.

Reducing delays caused by at-grade rail crossings in disadvantaged communities through non-physical measures

The aims of this study are to analyze the extent of network-wide delays caused by at-grade highway-rail crossings that affect disadvantaged communities disproportionally in industrial cities such as Chicago, examine the effectiveness of mitigation measures that do not involve grade-separation, and monetize the benefits of delay reduction with respect to hazardous vehicle emissions, excessive fuel consumption, and waste of residents' time. The analysis of mitigation measures showed that providing up-to-date traffic information to the travelers, especially using mobile devices, to disseminate near real-time information frequently, can reduce the delay associated with rail crossings considerably as long as information is updated every 20 minutes or less.

AUTOMATIC RAILWAY GATE CONTROL

In place of the current system, which requires a human to operate the gates at level crossings, this study proposes an automated system that can identify when a train is halted, send out an alarm, and open or close the gate accordingly. A railway gate controller, an alarm module, a signal light module, a stuck detection module, a train detection module, and a controller module are all developed to give a solution. While the stuck detection module has one ultrasonic sensor, the train detection module only has four. The train detection and stuck detection modules use ultrasonic sensors to send out high-frequency signals; when these signals are reflected back to the sensors, they indicate the presence of an item. The controller unit then presses the appropriate buttons to activate the gate, alarm generator, and signal lights based on whether the obstruction is a train or stuck. The results of the experimental experiments demonstrate that compared to the current dominating work, the suggested technique produces a railway gate controller that is more cost-effective, dependable, and straightforward. A level crossing alarm system that uses ultrasonic sensors to detect trains and other obstacles.

Rationalization of Selected Crossing Security Devices on Czech Railways Line 201 Tábor – Ražice

The paper focuses on improving the safety of selected railway crossings on the Tábor – Ražice line of the Czech Railways. The main goal is to rationalize existing safety measures and propose alternative modifications to increase the safety of crossings. These include, for example, the use of horizontal markings and the use of lockable barriers. The work also deals with the elimination of the possibility of some crossings with the aim of minimizing the risks of traffic accidents and thus improving overall safety on the track. The results provide practical recommendations for increasing crossing safety.

Analysis and Optimization of the Causes of Cracks in the Pavement of Highway and Railway Intersections

Firstly, an in-depth analysis is conducted on the principle of crack formation in the pavement panel of highway and railway level crossings and the reasons for cracks under load. Then, based on the characteristics of crack formation in the pavement panel, structural optimization design is carried out on the pavement panel, and finite element analysis is conducted on the optimized structure to verify whether the optimization is reasonable, reduce the occurrence of cracks in the pavement panel of highway and railway level crossings, and extend the service life of the pavement panel.

Automatic Signal and Gate System

Abstract: The "Automatic Signal and Gate System" project is a hardware setup aimed at improving safety on roads, particularly in hilly areas and railway crossings. By utilizing an Arduino UNO and an IR sensor module, the system focuses on signaling in challenging terrains, emphasizing the Automatic Rail Gate Signaling System to prevent rail crossing accidents. This project addresses the pressing issue of accidents and interruptions in rail tracks, which are prevalent in India, a densely populated country. Through the implementation of IR sensors, the system detects the presence of trains and transmits signals to the Arduino. The Arduino, in turn, controls the gate and signals using a servo motor, effectively enhancing safety measures at rail crossings. With a strong emphasis on this specific concept, the project aims to minimize rail crossing accidents and optimize the efficiency of rail gates and crossings. By concentrating efforts on this critical aspect, the system strives to mitigate accidents, reducing unnecessary interruptions in rail track operations and maximizing safety for commuters and railway personnel alike

Design and development of artificial intelligence assisted railway gate controlling system using internet of things

A improvised solution for the Indian Railways' human level crossing controls and the attendant reliability issues they cause. In our nation, level crossings have been the scene of several train accidents. So far, there have been zero productive actions. Using an infrared (IR) detector and an audible alert, the proposed system automatically opens and closes level crossing gates based on when trains approach or depart from the crossing. However, it's possible that a car may become stuck between the pedestrian crossing barriers if they're automated. Here, an ultrasonic sensor may identify the obstruction between the crossing gates, and an Internet of Things (IoT) module would inform the train of the situation. When a train approaches or departs from a railroad crossing, infrared sensors detect its presence and alert an Arduino-UNO, which then commands the gates to open or close using a little servomotor stationed nearby. Using the Node MCU and GPS navigational technology, this system also aims to reduce latency in detecting combustion attacks within the compartment. The resulting section of this paper proves the proposed work efficiency by means of graphically illustrates the following metrics such as: human detection accuracy, gate closing efficiency, alerting system efficiency and data storage efficiency.

Feasibility Analysis for Economic Flyover in Bojonegoro District

The traffic jam that occurred in the city of Bojonegoro on the Rajekwesi – MT road section. Haryono, the leading cause of problems in the area, is at intersections and meetings with railroad tracks. Building a flyover is one solution to congestion that occurs at railroad crossings. An economic feasibility study must be carried out to assess the characteristics of a development project. This study aims to determine how much profit and costs are obtained and the extent of its economic feasibility. The project that will be examined in this study is the construction of a flyover in Bojonegoro district. Then, the feasibility of the Flyover construction project is based on the calculation of Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The results of this economic feasibility analysis There are three alternative route selection that are associated with economic feasibility where the first alternative with NPV: 2,121,743,718,000, BCR: 12.7499 and IRR: 57 then the second alternative with NPV value: 1,733,795,057,000, BCR: 10.3771, IRR: 50% and the third alternative with an NPV value: 1,395,424,941,000, BCR: 6,978 and IRR: 37%. Based on the economic feasibility analysis using process hierarchy analysis, the first alternative was chosen with a score of 0.571. With the construction of the flyover, it is hoped that it can break up the flow of traffic on the Bojonegoro - Cepu - Nganjuk section to encourage economic growth, trade, and regional development in the Bojonegoro district.

Machine Learning Approach to Enhance Highway Railroad Grade Crossing Safety by Analyzing Crash Data and Identifying Hotspot Crash Locations

Safe railway operation is vital for public safety, the environment, and property. Concurrent with climbing amounts of rail traffic on the Canadian rail network are increases in the last decade in the annual crash counts for derailment, collision, and highway railroad grade crossings (HRGCs). HRGCs are important spatial areas of the rail network, and the development of community areas near railway tracks increases the risk of HRGC crashes between highway vehicles and moving trains, resulting in consequences varying from property damage to injuries and fatalities. This research aims to identify major factors that cause HRGC crashes and affect the severity of associated casualties. Using these causal factors and ensemble algorithms, machine learning models were developed to analyze HRGC crashes and the severity of associated casualties between 2001 and 2022 in Canada. Furthermore, spatial autocorrelation and optimized hotspot analysis tools from ArcGIS software were used to identify hotspot locations of HRGC crashes. The optimized hotspot analysis shows the clustering of HRGC crashes around major Canadian cities. The analysis of cluster characteristics supports the results obtained for causal factors of HRGC crashes. These research outcomes help one to better understand the major causal factors and hotspot locations of HRGC crashes and assist authorities in implementing countermeasures to improve the safety of HRGCs across the rail network.