Improving Safety and Accessibility at Level Crossings for Disabled Pedestrians

Abstract

This report presents issues, studies and findings regarding railroad crossing safety for disabled pedestrians. Focus groups were held and results of those group discussions are also reported. Categories of pedestrian handicaps include blind and partially sighted individuals, deaf and hard of hearing people, wheelchair users, and learning disabled individuals. This research was commissioned to determine, review and rate the difficulties pedestrians with disabilities encounter at railroad grade crossings and examine whether solutions could be developed to improve accessibility, while decreasing or maintaining risk. The most encouraging solutions were those that not only improved accessibility but were also 'practicable' (ie feasible on both an economic and practical level).