Impact of level crossing sign messages on temporary stop ratio of automobile drivers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop and measure the effects of effective level crossing warning signs that raise the temporary stop ratio of automobile drivers ahead of level crossings. For this objective, first, four types of signs were designed based on accident analysis and psychological expertise. The experiment participants drove automobiles on driving simulators and repeatedly crossed the level crossings where one of the four designed signs were placed (or alternatively where no sign had been placed), and the temporary stop ratio ahead of level crossings was measured. Later, they were asked to respond to a questionnaire regarding their impressions (three categories of assessment: risk perception, attitude toward safety, and motivation for implementation) of the four types of signs. The experiment revealed that a sign of “gratitude” showing the message “Thank you for stopping” had a significantly higher temporary stop ratio in comparison to the other signs or to no sign during the condition in which a train is not passing along the tracks. Assessments of participants’ impressions of the “gratitude” sign indicated that, while risk perception was significantly lower than with other signs, the motivation to implement specific safety actions ahead of level crossings was significantly higher. It may be that the desire to implement safety behavior increases due to the norm of reciprocity as a result of showing courtesy to the experiment participants through an expression of gratitude, which results in an increase in the temporary stop ratio.

Keywords

• railway level crossings
• warning signs
• driving simulator
• gratitude
• automobile driver
• risk taking
• safety
• passive rail level crossings