Advanced Prediction of Train Arrival and Crossing Times at Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings

There are many issues related to highway-railroad grade crossings. For historic and practical reasons, trains have the right-of-way at grade crossings, which results in delays to motorists. In addition, the differential in size, speed, and stopping ability between motor vehicles and trains raises many serious safety concerns. Historically, the methods used to address these delay and safety problems at grade crossings have been reactive in nature. For example, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices specifies a minimum of 20 s of warning time for active warning devices at grade crossings. Intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology offers potential solutions for increasing the warning time at grade crossings. Advanced on-board devices and off-track detection equipment can allow train position and speed to be monitored. This information can be shared through wireless and wireline telecommunications equipment being deployed for ITS. Transportation management center personnel can then predict the...