Advancing Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention
Marco P. daSilva, senior general engineer and program manager at Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center, presented "Advancing Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention" on April 9, 2013.
DaSilva, who is a member of Volpe's Center for Infrastructure Systems and Engineering, manages the center's Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Research program in support of the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Research and Development. His work has been previously highlighted in Volpe's news.
The rail transportation system presents significant hazards to motor vehicle users, trespassers, and pedestrians, as well as to rail passengers and crew. Over a 30-year history of grade crossing research, Volpe researchers, on behalf of the Federal Railroad Administration, have conducted key research associated with all aspects of the railroad right-of-way, including highway-rail grade crossing and trespass issues, in order to develop a more precise understanding of the risks presented by the rights of way and then determine how best to mitigate (i.e., decrease or eliminate) the risks.
Research conducted by Volpe experts has also addressed evaluation methodologies, visual and audio warnings, motor vehicle and train presence detection, crossing geometry, and crossing gate and flashing light technologies. The research portfolio focuses on engineering, education, and enforcement efforts.
About the Speaker
Marco daSilva is a senior general engineer and program manager with the Center for Infrastructure Systems and Engineering at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His work portfolio includes management of Volpe's Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Research program in support of the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Research and Development, and specific research projects involving technology development and evaluation, and driver behavior analyses.
DaSilva holds a master of science degree in transportation engineering from Northeastern University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Boston University. His published work is available in Volpe's Technical Reports & Presentations database.
Read the news story and view the video from this event.