This article examines the need for an improved rail/highway crossing protection system, which is needed to ensure the safety of future high-speed trains. The author proposes a completely new system based on his belief that the existing system is obsolete and not suitable for further development. Accident statistics on the existing conventional (non-high-speed) rail system provide evidence of the inadequacy of the current grade crossing system (Table 1). This table includes a comparatively small number of incidents at "private" crossings (where no dynamic protective devices are installed) and non-vehicle occurrences. Such statistics demonstrate that improvements—even for existing speeds (79 mph maximum)—would be beneficial.
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