Summary

Coordination of the movement of motor vehicles and trains at grade crossings can be difficult. Although different railroad grade-crossing control products are available, traditional grade crossings are unable to deliver consistent warning times when trains vary in number of stops and speed. The result is conflicts between motor vehicles and trains, resulting in congestion and delay.

This project investigates the interaction between urban/suburban rail and cross traffic and develops integrated and practical solutions for minimizing delays to motor vehicle traffic and improving schedule adherence for trains. There are two approaches to this project: 1) seeking a practical means for delivery of consistent detection time, including effective sensing approaches and means for predicting time-to-arrival at grade crossings, and 2) seeking adaptive single control strategies using consistent detection time for existing grade control technologies. Field testing of these system algorithms and concepts will take place in the second year of this two-year project.

Deliverables form the project include interim reports, a final report, a prototype testing system, and executable software codes.

Related PATH Articles/Journals

(None Published)