Human Behavior at Railroad Grade Crossings

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampath Kadiyala ◽  
Phani Gubbala ◽  
Steven D. Schrock
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Driver Behavior ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Specific Sign ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Common Sign ◽  
Comprehensive Study

A comprehensive study is needed to address the human behavior at railroad grade crossings. Human behavior at different signs changes and it may lead to crashes. No guidance is provided in the recommendations provided by Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices where and when different type of signs and different combination of signs are appropriate. Crashes occur mostly when the drivers try to go through the gate or around the gate when a train is approaching. Drivers come to a complete stop at stop signs and then proceed only if a train is not coming, this may lead to a crash when they cannot accelerate in time to cross the tracks. Yield sign may have better results in this case. Cross-buck signs are same as the yield sign where drivers should slow down, look for the train and then proceed. However, people may tend to proceed without yielding as it is not as common of a sign. Hence we can say driver behavior at specific sign is important for the recommendation or the guideline to install a sign. Adopting a common sign at all grade crossings could provide enhanced consistency and reduce crashes. A literature review was done on human behavior at grade crossings and the crash rate at different types of signs. Driver behavior at the time of the crash for 15 states was studied from the Federal Railroad Administration data by reviewing detailed reasons for every crash. Driver behavior at different types of signs at the time of each crash was studied from the reviewed data and the literature review. Driver behavior at different signs was summarized.

Selection of Representative Crossings Database for the Evaluation of Driver Behavior Over Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Modeste Muhire ◽  
Pasi Lautala ◽  
David Nelson ◽  
Aaron Dean
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Driver Behavior ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Naturalistic Driving Study ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Naturalistic Driving ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Selection Of

While the literature suggests that driver behavior is the main cause of most of highway-rail grade crossing crashes, it has proven to be a challenging area for research. The SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study (NDS) opened a window of opportunity to make a systematic analysis of the phenomenon because it includes an in-vehicle direct observation of the drivers. The first step in the analysis was the selection process of approximately 300 representative crossings for analysis from over 1,000 crossings included in the NDS. In order to allow the analysis of driver behavior in various environments, the selected set was comprised of different types of crossings. Key parameters that were considered are the types of crossings based on the installed traffic control devices, the configuration of nearby intersections, and the number of accidents that took place at the crossing in recent years. From a statistical standpoint, each group must have a size large enough to generalize the observed conclusions across other crossings with similar characteristics. In addition to NDS, resources such as the FRA accident database, the FRA crossings inventory, and Google-Maps were used in order to determine the crossings that fit the selection criteria. In future steps of the project evaluation of driver behavior over selected crossings is expected to help identify patterns that carry high risk for highway-rail crossing accidents.

Driver Behavior at Intersections: An Analysis of Accident Related Variables

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monty G. Grubb
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Driver Behavior ◽  
Driving Simulation ◽  
Video Display ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Response Modes ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Age And Sex

An intersection driving simulation was created by providing research participants with a video display of approaching intersections in a 120 degree visual field. Six groups were formed according to age and sex. All participants viewed 14 different intersections containing varied traffic control devices. Individual workload was assessed in three response modes: performance, subjective, and physiological. A MANOVA was performed on six dependent variables in the 3 (age) X 2 (sex) design. Results indicate significant main effects for both age and sex.

scholarly journals Enhanced Traffic Control Devices at Passive Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings

1998 ◽  
Vol 1648 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Noyce ◽  
Daniel B. Fambro
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Warning Sign ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Strobe Light ◽  
Sign System ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Traffic Control Devices ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Driver Error

More than 2,000 crashes and 239 fatalities were reported at public passive highway-railroad grade crossings in 1994. Driver error, often due to a breakdown in communication between traffic control devices and the driver, is commonly cited as a factor in passive grade crossing crashes. The objective of this study was to evaluate an improved method for communicating with drivers in an effort to improve safety at passive grade crossings. Specifically, this study evaluated the effectiveness of a vehicle-activated strobe light and supplemental sign as enhancements to the railroad advance (W10-1) warning sign at a passive highway-railroad grade crossing near Temple, Texas. Three study methods were used to evaluate this enhanced sign system including a before and after speed study, a driver survey, and a driver observation study. The results indicated that average speeds on the approaches to the grade crossing were lower after the installation of the enhanced sign system. Drivers responded favorably to the enhanced sign system, and no adverse driver reactions were observed at the onset of the flashing strobe light. The strobe light was effective in directing drivers’ attention to the railroad advance warning and supplemental signs. The enhanced sign system appears to increase driver awareness of the passive grade crossing, cause some drivers to approach the grade crossing with additional caution, and reduce the average speed near the nonrecovery zone on both approaches.

Evaluation of Flashing Yellow Arrow in Traffic Signal Displays with Simultaneous Permissive Indications

2005 ◽  
Vol 1918 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Knodler ◽  
David A. Noyce ◽  
Kent C. Kacir ◽  
Christopher L. Brehmer
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Left Turn ◽  
Flashing Yellow Arrow ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Common Application ◽  
Yellow Arrow ◽  
Comprehensive Study

The results of a comprehensive study on protected and permissive left-turn (PPLT) operations showed that the flashing yellow arrow (FYA) indication was an acceptable and recommended application for permissive left turns. As documented in NCHRP Report 493, an FYA permissive indication was recommended for implementation in the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). Research findings suggested that the FYA be implemented in an exclusive four-section vertical signal display centered over the left-turn lane, which differs from the most common application of PPLT signal displays. Many traffic engineers currently use a five-section clustered-arrangement shared signal head to meet MUTCD requirements of two signal heads per major approach. FYA implementation in the five-section display would require an interim retrofit requiring the FYA to be displayed simultaneously with the through-movement circular green (CG), circular yellow, or circular red indication. This research evaluated driver comprehension of the retrofit display and the resulting simultaneous indications by using a dynamic driving simulator and computer-based static experiments. A comparison of seven permissive left-turn scenarios featuring the CG or FYA permissive indications, or both, was completed. In total, 264 drivers evaluated 3,457 permissive left-turn scenarios. Results showed that simultaneous indications in the retrofit display did not affect the drivers’ understanding of the permissive indications. The drivers demonstrated an understanding of the yield requirement with simultaneous indications (with a 65% to 89% correct responses), providing evidence to suggest that the simultaneous indications would be suitable as an interim display to ease FYA implementation.

Double, triple or quadruple hits? Exploring the impact of cybercrime on victims in the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
pp. 026975802110106
Author(s):  
Raoul Notté ◽  
E.R. Leukfeldt ◽  
Marijke Malsch
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Victim Blaming ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

This article explores the impact of online crime victimisation. A literature review and 41 interviews – 19 with victims and 22 with experts – were carried out to gain insight into this. The interviews show that most impacts of online offences correspond to the impacts of traditional offline offences. There are also differences with offline crime victimisation. Several forms of impact seem to be specific to victims of online crime: the substantial scale and visibility of victimhood, victimisation that does not stop in time, the interwovenness of online and offline, and victim blaming. Victims suffer from double, triple or even quadruple hits; it is the accumulation of different types of impact, enforced by the limitlessness in time and space, which makes online crime victimisation so extremely invasive. Furthermore, the characteristics of online crime victimisation greatly complicate the fight against and prevention of online crime. Finally, the high prevalence of cybercrime victimisation combined with the severe impact of these crimes seems contradictory with public opinion – and associated moral judgments – on victims. Further research into the dominant public discourse on victimisation and how this affects the functioning of the police and victim support would be valuable.

STRUCTURAL AND SEMANTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF DISHES IN GERMAN RESTAURANT DISCOURSE

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-119
Author(s):  
Nadezhda G. KANTYSHEVA ◽  
Inna V. Solovyova
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Institutional Discourse ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Complex Words ◽  
First Time ◽  
Comprehensive Study

This article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the structural and semantic features of dish names and their descriptions in German in the field of restaurant discourse. The study employs cognitive discourse analysis, elements of comparative and contextological approaches, taking into account linguocultural parameters. The relevance of the comprehensive study of the names of dishes in restaurant discourse is due to an increased interest in the parameterization of lexical units in different types of institutional discourse. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the fact that for the first time, within the framework of a restaurant menu, not only the nomination of a dish is considered, but also the structural and semantic characteristics of its description are analysed. An attempt is made to analyse a connection between the nominations of dishes and their description in the restaurant menu, as well as to determine the semantic dominants of the genre under study. It is concluded that the text of the menu as a whole presents a combination of the language for special purposes and the language of advertising. In interaction with extralinguistic factors, the nominations of dishes and their descriptions not only document the culture of food in society, but also reflect the ethnocultural picture of the world. Based on the analysis of the menu texts, it is established that structurally the names of dishes are complex words or phrases, built mainly according to the attributive model. The description of dishes performs the function of verbalizing the sensations of taste and clarifying the method of preparing dishes, characterizing the quality of dishes, their ingredients, and the intensity of taste. Evaluative parameters in descriptions are expressed at the lexical, grammatical, syntactic and stylistic levels.

Ontology Engineering for Gastric Dystemperament in Persian Medicine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Shojaee-Mend ◽  
Haleh Ayatollahi ◽  
Azam Abdolahadi
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Case Based Reasoning ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Persian Medicine ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Specification Document

Abstract Objective Developing an ontology can help collecting and sharing information in traditional medicine including Persian medicine in a well-defined format. The present study aimed to develop an ontology for gastric dystemperament in the Persian medicine. Methods This was a mixed-methods study conducted in 2019. The first stage was related to providing an ontology requirements specification document. In the second stage, important terms, concepts, and their relationships were identified via literature review and expert panels. Then, the results derived from the second stage were refined and validated using the Delphi method in three rounds. Finally, in the fourth stage, the ontology was evaluated in terms of consistency and coherence. Results In this study, 241 concepts related to different types of gastric dystemperament, diagnostic criteria, and treatments in the Persian medicine were identified through literature review and expert panels, and 12 new concepts were suggested during the Delphi study. In total, after performing three rounds of the Delphi study, 233 concepts were identified. Finally, an ontology was developed with 71 classes, and the results of the evaluation study revealed that the ontology was consistent and coherent. Conclusion In this study, an ontology was created for gastric dystemperament in the Persian medicine. This ontology can be used for designing future systems, such as case-based reasoning and expert systems. Moreover, the use of other evaluation methods is suggested to construct a more complete and precise ontology.

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