Analysis of the factors affecting the operation of a level crossing

A level crossing is a system of interaction between rail and road transport. Traffic safety at level crossings is a priority in Russia. Despite the annual reduction in the number of level crossings and the modernization of existing level crossings, the number of accidents at level crossings, including fatalities, remains at the significant level. The subject of research is the factors affecting the safety of level crossings. The aim of the work is to identify the factors with the greatest affecting the operation of a level crossings in the Russian Federation. The research used: a generalized block diagram of a level crossing, a block diagram of factors affecting the operation of a level crossing, a prior analysis by the evaluation, calculation of the Kendall coefficient for individual groups of factors, sorting of factors according to the average assessment of experts. The article provides data on the number of road traffic accidents at level crossings in the Russian Federation for the period from 2005 to 2020, and the number of level crossings of different categories for 2020. It has been hypothesized that the main cause of accidents at level crossings is violation of the rules by vehicle drivers. The block diagram of factors affecting the operation of a level crossing based on the generalized block diagram of a level crossing. Factors affecting the operation of a level crossing are divided into four groups. The Kendall coefficient was calculated for individual groups of factors. Evaluation of the factors affecting the operation of a level crossing was implemented, according to the average assessment of the experts. This hypothesis was confirmed. Using of the results of this analysis will reduce the number of accidents at level crossings. The results can be used both in the modernization of existing level crossings and in the design of new level crossings.