LC16 – Active 'Expect Trains' sign trial

As part of a wider initiative to make level crossings safer, KiwiRail considered upgrading passive crossings with road-vehicle-activated ‘Expect Trains’ signs, which may have greater conspicuity and improve motorists’ visual checks toward level crossing signage and rail tracks for detecting trains. This study specifically focused on evaluating the effects of this new signage on driver visual scanning and search behaviours to confirm whether ‘checking activity’ increases upon installation of the signs. It used a mixed approach methodology, combining objective data measurements from an eye tracking system (where drivers are looking when passing the signs and on approach to the crossing), with qualitative information to understand and contextualise drivers’ gaze behaviour.

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