United States Department of Transportation
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3D Methodology for Evaluating Rail Crossing Roughness: Vehicle Dynamic Modeling
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2015-09-28
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[PDF-2.20 MB]
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Alternative Title:3D methodology for evaluating rail crossing roughness : vehicle dynamic modeling : technical summary : final report.
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TRIS Online Accession Number:01599195
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Edition:Final Report
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Abstract:Annually, over 2000 rail highway crossing crashes in the U.S.result in nearly 300 fatalities. Crossing roughness is a concern for the motoring public from a comfort and vehicle maintenance perspective, and to highway authorities from a maintenance perspective. Roughness may even increase the risk of crossing crashes. However, with 216,000 rail highway grade crossings in the US, maintenance management is a large undertaking. Crossings deteriorate over time, sometimes rapidly, and life cycle costs increase without preventive maintenance. However, while methods are available to quantify highway roughness, no method currently exists to quantitatively assess the condition of rail crossings. Because conventional inspection relies on qualitative judgment based on an inspector’s perception of the crossing, effect on different vehicles and perception by other drivers is unknown. Further, roughness may be due to as-built geometry, crossing deterioration, or a combination of both. A quantifiable and extensible procedure is thus desired. In this report, vertical vehicle acceleration is proposed as a way to quantify rail highway crossing roughness. To facilitate the development of acceleration ratings for crossings, a vehicle dynamic model was developed to simulate vehicle accelerations using only a crossing terrain model and vehicle parameters as inputs. Accelerometers were used to field calibrate and validate the model.
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