Effectiveness of Mitigation Methods and Signage in Reducing Railway Trespassing Events

Gallegos, Erika E; Ahmed, Jubair; Robinson, Angie · 2024 · ROSA P / Mountain-Plains Consortium

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Summary

This study addresses the persistent safety issue of train-pedestrian collisions, which result in over 400 fatalities annually in the United States. While signage is a common mitigation strategy, its effectiveness depends on message clarity and design. The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different sign messaging strategies and designs, as well as the influence of contextual factors and individual risk-taking propensity on pedestrian crossing decisions. The researchers conducted a survey study with 1,011 participants recruited from a paid panel across the United States. The survey assessed participants’ demographics, frequency of crossing railroad tracks as pedestrians and drivers, and their likelihood of crossing under various scenarios. Three messaging strategies were tested: information-only (e.g., “Railroad Crossing”), action-conveying (e.g., “Do Not Cross”), and emotionally motivated (e.g., statistical warnings about fatalities). Additionally, six sign design combinations varying by shape (circle vs. square) and color (black on yellow, black on white, red on white) were evaluated using MaxDiff analysis. Participants also completed an adapted Domain-Specific Risk-Taking (DOSPERT) scale to measure risk propensity. Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regression to determine the impact of these variables on crossing behavior and risk scores. The findings indicate that action-conveying and emotionally motivated signs are more effective than information-only signs at discouraging crossings in high-risk situations. Specifically, action-conveying signs were most impactful when a train was present, while emotionally motivated signs elicited stronger responses when warning lights were flashing or gates were down. However, situational factors, such as the presence of a train or the status of crossing gates, were the primary drivers of crossing decisions, outweighing the influence of sign type. Regarding design, MaxDiff analysis revealed that yellow signs with black symbols and square shapes were perceived as the clearest in conveying safety information, outperforming black-on-white, red-on-white, and circular signs. Furthermore, individuals who frequently crossed tracks as pedestrians exhibited significantly higher risk-taking scores, particularly younger adults and males. In contrast, the frequency of driving across tracks showed no significant relationship with risk-taking propensity. The study concludes that clear, directive signage—specifically action-conveying and emotionally motivated messages on high-contrast, square-shaped signs—can enhance pedestrian safety. However, because situational cues dominate decision-making, signage effectiveness is context-dependent. The results suggest a need for targeted interventions for high-risk groups, such as young males, and recommend prioritizing specific sign designs in high-risk areas. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how sign design and messaging can be optimized to reduce railway trespassing and improve pedestrian decision-making.

Key finding

Action-conveying and emotionally motivated signs are more effective than information-only signs in discouraging pedestrian crossings in high-risk situations, and square-shaped signs with black symbols on yellow backgrounds are perceived as the clearest for conveying safety.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 1011

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• rail grade crossings