Abstract Manager

At-grade multi-track railway crossings present a unique hazard to pedestrians because some pedestrians may not expect the arrival of a second train shortly after the first train clears the crossing and their view to the second train is obstructed by the train that just passed through the crossing. The risk to pedestrians is especially dangerous at urban multi-track crossings with high pedestrian traffic, such as crossings that are close to schools or public transportation. In these areas Transport Canda Rail Safety recommends the installation of a SECOND TRAIN EVENT graphic warning sign with a ATTENTION! 2 TRAINS tab. From a human factors perspective, a static sign may not be very effective at alerting pedestrians about a hazardous condition that occurs infrequently. Dynamic signs are much more likely to be effective at modifying risky behaviours as they provide real-time information only when the hazard is present. A literature review and jurisdictional scan was carried out to identify dynamic signs that convey the message that there is a second train event. Five design concepts were identified. A human factors review of 5 concepts was carried out to determine which design is likely to be best understood. Several criteria were used in the evaluation, including text clarity and comprehensibility, symbol clarity and comprehensibility, balance between symbols and words, use of flashing elements, use of colour, and potential for information overload or distraction. The evaluation identified two candidate designs that were the most likely to be understood  and discourage risky crossing behaviours.