Highway-rail grade crossing (HRGC) is an intersection where railways and roads intersect on the same elevation, which often result in serious fatalities and property losses. Therefore, traffic signs and markings play an important role in ensuring the safety of HRGCs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and improve the existing traffic signs and markings for HRGCs in China by means of literature review and questionnaire survey. The research work is mainly divided into three parts: Firstly, the authors analyzed and evaluated the existing traffic signs and markings based on driver's comprehension index. Secondly, the unreasonable traffic signs and marking for HRGCs in existing standard were improved. Finally, some innovative traffic signs and markings were supplemented referred to the standards and research of developed countries. The improved and supplemented traffic signs and markings (ISTM) for HRGCs will be quantitatively evaluated in terms of driver's comprehension and recognition. Additionally, one-way ANOVA was also applied to figure out whether there were significant differences in the comprehension of the ISTM among drivers of different gender and driving age. The results showed that drivers in all groups gave positive feedback to the ISTM, which proved that the findings in this research can be used for reference in guiding the design of the traffic signs and marking for HRGCs.

CICTP