An overview of the International Symposium on Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety and Research

This paper summarises a recent International Symposium, and describes some of the innovative treatments reported at that Symposium. Sessions at the Symposium dealt with level crossing warning systems, regulation of level crossings, geometric design, warning system credibility, liability exposure associated with level crossing accidents, computer and mathematical tools, safety of light rail and high speed crossings, railway personnel education and safety, human factors, and train dynamics. There were also four open discussion sessions dealing with crossing design, traffic control systems, human factors, and resource management. Amongst the innovative treatments described are a number of sign treatments, a device to redirect light from locomotive headlights towards approaching traffic, standard highway traffic signals, strobe lights, lower cost active systems, four quadrant gates, and a video system to detect flashing light violations.