Remote Sightline Inspection at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Using LiDAR Data and Geospatial Analysis

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-5-2025

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Abstract

Incidents at highway-rail grade crossings (HRGCs) result in fatalities, injuries, and property damage. Monitoring over 212,000 HRGCs across the United States (US) is challenging due to reliance on on-site inspections. Obstructed sightlines increase risks by limiting drivers' ability to detect approaching trains. Despite previous studies on behavioral and safety concerns, quantitative analysis of sightlines remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by applying remote sensing techniques to quantify sightline visibility. We developed a method to measure available sightlines within sight distance triangles and rank HRGCs based on available sightlines using geospatial analysis, incorporating US Geological Survey Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and US Department of Transportation crossing inventory reports. Our findings show that sightline issues are influenced by traffic control devices, environmental conditions, and geometric factors. This research demonstrates the potential of LiDAR and geospatial analysis as rapid, cost-effective tools for identifying visibility problems at HRGCs.

Publication Title

International Conference on Transportation and Development 2025 Transportation Planning and Operations Selected Papers from the International Conference on Transportation and Development 2025

ISBN

9780784486207

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