An Innovative Cost-Effective Active Warning System for Improved Safety at Rural Railroad Crossings

More than 70% of U.S. highway-railroad crossing accident fatalities occur at passive rural railroad crossings. Federal and State highway authorities are searching for effective, safe and low-cost active signal devices for these crossings. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that it would cost more than $14 billion to upgrade all passive grade crossings with conventional active railroad crossing signal systems. The proposed research will collect magnetometer waveform data, test efficiency and reliability of low-cost, low power spread spectrum radios and test various power systems as a primary power source. The research will identify equipment, processes and techniques necessary to the design and operation of a vital, low-cost, effective and reliable crossing signal system.