Published in October 2020, The U.S. Department of Transportation Accident Prediction and Severity (APS) model has been used by Federal, State, and local authorities to assess accident risk at highway-rail grade crossings since the late 1980s. The Federal Railroad Administration funded research for the development of a new model that employs current consensus analysis methods and recent data trends. The new model also seeks to address several limitations of the current APS model and to provide a more robust tool for analysts. "New Model for Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident Prediction and Severity" presents the stages of the new model development, the statistical estimation of the new model, and validations comparing the performance of the new model with the APS. The research shows that the new model described here out-performs the APS by multiple measures.

The new model will support grade crossing management by enabling: more accurate risk ranking of grade crossings, more rational allocation of resources for public safety improvements at grade crossings, and the ability to assess the statistical significance of variances in the measured risk at grade crossings.

The report is the product of research led by Decisiontek  and sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration

View and download the full report by clicking here.

Published in September 2014, The BNSF San Bernardino case study demonstrates with a high degree of confidence that, as modeled, a vital I-ETMS Positive Train Control (PTC) system mitigates all but negligible risk of PTC-preventable accidents. Implementing the vital I-ETMS overlay system on the San Bernardino line results in $33.1 million in reduced accident costs over a 25-year period at the 3 percent discount rate and $22.3 million at the 7 percent discount rate.

This case study evaluates the risk associated with the planned implementation of the I-ETMS PTC system on the BNSF San Bernardino subdivision. The risk assessment meets major requirements of the PTC Rule and is suitable for inclusion in a PTC Safety Plan (PTCSP).

The report is the product of research led by Decisiontek  and sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration

View and download the full report by clicking here.

"NCHRP Report 755 Comprehensive Costs of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Crashes" presents a process for estimating the costs of highway-rail grade crossing crashes. Departments of transportation (DOTs) and other public agencies use such estimates in making decisions about investments to install safety devices or reconstruction to provide grade separation of the road and rail line. The report will be helpful to officials of such agencies who must identify and assess the merits of investments proposed to enhance safety at grade crossings.

The report is the product of research led by Decisiontek in partnership with Economic Development Research Group, System Metrics Group and Susan Jones Moses & Associates.

Download the full report by clicking here.

Published in August 2014, "NCFRP Report 27 Web-Based Tool for Shared-Use Rail Corridors" describes a new tool that supports pre-feasibility screening of new rail services on existing freight or shared-use rail corridors. The report includes the tool methodology development and case studies.

The report is the product of research led by Decisiontek in partnership with Transportation Economics & Management Systems, Inc.

Download the full report by clicking here.

Contact Decisiontek for more information, and to set up a trial account using the web-based tool.