Europe Offers Solutions for
U.S. Rail Crossing Safety
A grade-separated crossings in the Netherlands accommo-
dates vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.In 1996, 488 people were killed and 1,610 seriously injured in 4,257 highway-rail grade cross- ing collisions across the United States. There are approximately 268,000 at-grade highway-rail grade crossing throughout the country with varying levels of safety installations. The increase in rail and highwa traffic along with the advent of high-speed rail in the next few years is heightening concerns over safety, as well as efficient rail and road operations.
To learn how other countries with high-speed rail operations and large numbers of grade crossings addressed those issues, FHWA sponsored an international technology reconnaissance tour to Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain. Representatives from FHWA's Office of Highway Safety, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Texas Transportation Institute participated in the September 1997 tour.
The scan team found several innovative approaches that could provide solutions to highway-rail grade crossing issues in the United States. They recommended that further investigation of several European technologies and practices is warranted.
In the policy area, Spain, Italy, and Germany each have an active program underway to eliminate high-way-rail grade crossings. Crossing closure is a national policy and warrants have been developed for grade crossing improvements.
With the exception of a few grade crossings in Italy, all high speed rail crossings are grade separated. Even so, Italy recorded only 10 crossing fatalities in 1996.
Both Denmark and Germany are testing solid state electronic warning and signaling equipment that is proving reliable and durable over 30-month testing cycles. Solid state equipment has already been deployed in Spain. Train detection by magnetic induction wheel sensors in lieu of track circuits. was used in a number of the countries visited. Magnetic induction system applications in the United States could provide cost saving and safety benefits over the track circuits currently being used.
Video monitoring of crossings was found to be in use to provide information on crossings being clear of obstructions. This technology is currently part of an ITS project on the Long Island Railroad.
Spain demonstrated a location where a sign is illuminated at the crossing when another train is approaching on another track. On multiple track locations the approach of a second train presents serious safety problems. The Los Angeles Blue Line reports that this is one of their major safety issues, and have a project underway to develop a warning system.
On the construction side, grade separation projects are performed by fabricating the tunnel structure outside the railroad in an excavation and then hydraulically inserting it under the tracks. This technique speeds construction and allows the railroad to continue operations.
Grade-separated crossings in the Netherlands accommodated vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles. Demonstrated crossing provide headroom and reduce unnecessary down-and up-hill for non-motorized travel.
-- Fred Small,(202) 366-9212.The safety of children is always a sensitive issue, particularly when our kids get old enough to walk to school by themselves. The Office of Highway Safety has developed a colorful new brochure that can help parents and local officials join forces to improve roadside safety hardware and pavement markings. This new brochure contains tips on simple and inexpensive child pedestrian safety measures. The brochure has helpful hints about what can be done to initiate the safety measures, along with a list of publications that can brochure that can help. This new product will extend outreach to the youngest walkers of all.
Elementary Ways of Improving
Child Pedestrian Safety
-- Brian F. Gilleran , (202) 366-0915.
