| Title | Enhancement of Train Visibility |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 49139 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Hopkins, John B. |
| Source | 84p. in various pagings |
| Corporate Creator | John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.) |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration |
| Publisher | United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration |
| Publication Date | 19730901 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | The report describes a study of the most effective and practical means of enhancing the conspicuity of the trailing end of trains, in order to reduce the possibility of train--train collisions. There are five elements: (a) Definition of a usable number of categories of target, background, and ambient conditions which include the great majority of situations actually encountered; (b) estimation of the stimuli required for each category to increase significantly the detection probability for typical observers; (c) examination of all potentially feasible visibility aids in terms of these criteria; (d) determination of estimated costs, lifetime, and power consumption of techniques which appear promising in terms of effectiveness, and (e) delineation of alternative systems, consistent with one another, comprising a hierarchy of effectiveness and cost. Special deficiencies, advantages, and implications for policy which may be associated with particular realizations are indicated. The devices suggested as optimal include large areas of fluorescent material arranged in a distinctive pattern, retro-reflectors at each corner, and flash lamps of moderate intensity. Detailed specifications are given for such aids. |
| Rosap ID | dot:10614 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10614 |
| TRT Terms | Visibility; Safety; Railroad trains; Railroad grade crossings; Crashes; Crash injury research; Warning systems; Detection and identification; Detectors; Cost estimating; Flash lamps; Fluorescent lamps; Reflectorized materials |
| General Subjects | Train visibility |
| Classification | AGR - INFRASTRUCTURE - Railroads; AGR - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY; NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety; NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| Report Number | DOT-TSC-FRA-73-01; FRA-ORD&D-74-15; PB-223 899 |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/49000/49100/49139/DOT-TSC-FRA-73-1.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |