Findings of Focus Group Meetings for the Pilot Study of Advisory On-Board Vehicle Warning Systems at Railroad Grade Crossings

Benekohal, Rahim F.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/46022 Copy

Description

Title

Findings of Focus Group Meetings for the Pilot Study of Advisory On-Board Vehicle Warning Systems at Railroad Grade Crossings

Author(s)

Benekohal, Rahim F.

Issue Date

2004-06

Keyword(s)

On-board warning system, in-vehicle receiver (IVR), ITS, railroad crossing safety, traffic control devices, drivers, operation managers, PMC/TOC focus groups

Abstract

This report contains the results from several meetings of three different focus groups. The meetings were conducted as a part of the evaluation for the Pilot Study of Advisory On-Board Vehicle Warning Systems at Railroad Grade Crossings. The focus groups were used to obtain in-depth information about driver-perception, driver-system-interaction, and other related issues. The three focus groups were drivers, operation managers, and members of the Project Management Committee (PMC)/Technical Oversight Committee (TOC). This Pilot Study used commercially available equipment that did not meet the system reliability standards promised by the contracting team and required for this particular application. False alerts ruined the trust of the drivers and the project team for the In-Vehicle Receiver (IVR) system. The driver's interest was reduced due to repeated false alerts, the long development period before deployment, and annoying noise when the IVR was activated (beeping). A lot of drivers did not report the false alerts because it involved additional paperwork. Drivers preferred the combination of audible and visual messages to the individual (visual only or audible only) message. The visual mode by itself was ineffective during the daytime since it was not clearly readable and usually did not increase the drivers’ awareness of the approaching trains. However, during the nighttime this mode worked well. Drivers did not understand the necessity to have the IVR system at crossings with existing active warning devices, but they understood that at unprotected crossings, the system could be very valuable. Suggestions were also made to improve the effectiveness of the IVR system.

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-IL/UI-TOL-14

ISSN

0917-9191

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46022

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

The Illinois Department of Transportation

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161

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