Florida’s 4,500 highway-rail grade crossings (HRGCs) pose significant safety and operational challenges, with over 350 annual crashes. Nearly half of these crashes occur when vehicles are stopped within the Rail Dynamic Envelope (RDE) zones, leading to safety hazards, traffic delays, and environmental impacts. In response, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) launched Operation Statewide Traffic and Railroad Initiative using Dynamic Envelopes (STRIDE) in 2019 to enhance HRGC safety and mobility. This paper assessed STRIDE’s effectiveness, analyzed crash factors, and explored the roles of traffic management strategies and technology applications. Findings reveal that crashes stem from a combination of human, infrastructure, and operational factors. Effective solutions include traditional countermeasures such as signage and markings, along with innovative approaches like Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies, and AI-driven detection system applications. The paper offers actionable strategies for transportation agencies to improve safety and operations at HRGCs.
Assessment of Strategies and Technologies for Improving Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Safety
International Conference on Transportation and Development 2025 ; 2025 ; Glendale, Arizona
2025-06-05
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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