Assessing the Contributing Factors of Accidents at Highway-Railroad Crossings: A Case Study

Abstract: Highway railroad grade crossing (HRGC) is a point where different modes of transportation, like trains, vehicles, motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrian use the same junction point. The report of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows that almost 97 % HRGC is at grade in the United State. According to FRA report, a 2,192 rail road accident (RRA) occurred at public and private road crossing with fatal and non-fatal injuries of 247 and 766 respectively in 2023. The Texas state reported a high number of RRA i.e., 246 with 16 fatalities and 77 injuries. The second and third high risk state in term of RRA were California and Georgia with total collision 172 and 135. The number of fatal and non-fatal injuries recorded in these two sates were (38; 6) and (75; 37) respectively. This study was initiated to examine factors that contribute accidents at HRGCs in high and low risks states. All U.S states have an access to same safety facilities and equipment yet some states are very prone to vehicle train crashes at HRGCs. It is important to evaluate principal factors of HRGCs crashes in three most vulnerable states (Texas, California and Georgia). Crashes at HRGCs of low-risk states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New Jersey) is also important for a comparative analysis. This comparative analysis will analyze influencing parameters causing vehicle-train collusion at HRGCs. This study explains preventive measures need to be taken by highly vulnerable states in order to control vehicle-train crashes at HRGCs.