Reliability-based design of sight distance at railroad grade crossings

Said M. Easa

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 1994, vol. 28, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: The existing method of sight distance design at railroad crossings is deterministic. This paper presents a probabilistic method that accounts for the variations of the component design variables and their correlations. Two cases are considered. Case 1 addresses the sight distance needs along the highway and the railroad for an approaching vehicle. Case 2 addresses the sight distance needs along the railroad for a stopped vehicle. The probabilistic method is based on the advanced first-order second moment of reliability analysis. Case 1 is modeled as a system with two parallel components. The probability of failure of each component and the system probability of failure are developed. Case 2 is modeled as a single-component system, and a design graph for sight distance needs along the railroad is presented. The method is validated using Monte Carlo simulation; its application is illustrated using numerical examples; and the sensitivity of the design variables is examined. The proposed method should result in safer operations at railroad grade crossings.

Date: 1994
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