United States Department of Transportation
i
Surveying Non-Motorized Travel Behavior at Grade Rail Crossings
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2019-03-01
[PDF-1.75 MB]
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Edition:Final
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Abstract:Train-pedestrian collisions have been shown to be the leading cause of fatality in train-related accidents worldwide, yet there is remarkably little research examining non-motorist travel behavior at grade crossings. This report aims to determine how non-motorists behave and interact near at-grade rail crossings, including their level of compliance with existing safety treatments and crossing signals. This will allow DOTs and rail agencies to better coordinate their efforts to promote safety while accommodating actual non-motorist behavior trends. To evaluate these interactions and behavior we compiled environmental inventories and collected data on non-motorist behavior at 26 at-grade rail crossings along Utah‘s Wasatch Front. This included observations of 1,459 non-motorist crossings. Results suggest that a simple approach may in fact be safer when it comes to safety controls and infrastructure at crossings. Visual obstructions, and a lack of barriers and flashers was significantly correlated to more non-motorists exhibiting risky behavior. However, the presence of channelization (e.g. z-gates) and blank-out signs was significantly correlated to more risky behaviors among non-motorists. Crossings with more travel lanes, bike lanes, visual obstructions, a school zone near the crossing, or the presence of ADA accommodation were correlated to fewer distracted non-motorists. Additionally, crossings with a detectable warning surface (DWS) in the non-motorist area exhibited 23% fewer pedestrians crossing in compliance, as pedestrians tended to walk around them.
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